Our sessions are 

• $Free, Nude Figure, every Sunday from 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM at Free Range Brewery in NoDa, 2320 N Davidson St D, Charlotte, NC 28205.

• $15 clothed 1 Hour Portrait sessions, 4th Thursdays from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at Free Range Brewery in NoDa 2320 N Davidson St D, Charlotte, NC 28205)

• $Pay What You Can. 1 Hour Portrait session. 2nd Tuesdays. 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm at Common Market Oakwold. 4420-A Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205

If the buisness is closed, so are we. Otherwise, we only cancel sessions that fall on a holiday. You can also get our Google Calendar by clicking here.

For the figure sessions, our record attendance is 90 people, so we advise that you arrive 15 minutes before the session starts so you have time to get settled and find a good spot.

Please don’t enter the brewery before 11 AM! The Free Range Brewery Staff needs every second possible to set up the brewery for business.

A figure drawing session is where artists (from all levels) draw, paint, sculpt, sew, crochet, etc., from a living nude model.

 Yes, the model is typically fully nude (or dressed to their comfort level).

 This is a professional setting. The models are here to work, and the artists are here to study the human form.

A portrait session is the exact same concept, except the model is fully clothed. This makes the sessions universally accessible for all ages.

Voyeurism is strictly prohibited. This point will be repeated throughout this FAQ.

Not in the slightest. Creators of all levels, genres, and media are welcome. Seriously, stick figures to Renaissance artists are welcome to practice their craft here.

These are some words we use in this setting; here are the definitions:

Perspective: creates the illusion of a three-dimensional space on a flat surface using a horizon line and vanishing points.
Here’s a video!

Foreshortening: the visual effect where parts of the body pointing toward or away from the viewer appear compressed, shorter, and larger or smaller than they actually are due to perspective.

Here’s a video!

Posture: a static pose, where a live model or subject maintains a still, fixed physical stance (such as standing, seated, or reclining) over a set period of time so artists can study anatomy, proportion, and structure

Planar analysis: the process of breaking down complex, organic, and rounded human forms into flat, interconnected geometric facets or planes to build a strong sense of three-dimensional volume.

Here’s a video!

Shading: controlling your pencil pressure and understanding how light interacts with form to create a three-dimensional illusion

Here’s a video!

Cast Shadows: A cast shadow is the dark shape an object throws onto an adjacent surface (such as a floor, wall, or another object) when it blocks a light source.

Here’s a video!

Short answer: We are not a zoo.

Figure Sessions: Absolutely not. Voyeurism is strictly prohibited to respect the model’s vulnerability and the artist’s work. If you do not have art supplies when we are back in position, you will be asked to leave.

Portrait Sessions: Sure, and… keep in mind artists are delicate creatures. We don’t want to scare them off.

Whenever we are on break (artists and the model are walking around and talking), by all means join in the conversation. Regardless, we are in a public setting, and we did come to work. Please let us without extra eyes on our papers.

Yes!

All our sessions are 2 hours, and we've scheduled time to get a beverage (or two) and to practice from the live form. Each posture has a break in between.

Sunday Figure Posture Schedule:

• 5 x 1-minute gestures

• 1x 10-minute posture

• 3x 20-minute posters

  • All 20 min postures are different.

4th Thursday 1 Posture Schedule

• 5× 20 min seated sessions
  After each 20 min, we will have a 10 min break.

Water-based paint, crochet, clay, drawing, or illustration supplies.

Our sessions vary; the longest duration for nude figure sessions is 20 min. Where as or portrait sessions is one long posture.

Spray paint. Yes, even if you spray outside and then bring it inside. These sessions are only 2 hours, and it is not enough time for the fumes to settle.

Sure, but... make sure you are ready for:

1) People complaining about the fumes, no offense.

2) All the necessary precautions for cleaning and taking care of oil paints.

3) Working quickly from the model. Our figure schedule is quite quick. We’d recommend oil painting for our portrait sessions.

Creative Convergence CLT does not provide art supplies; we ask that artists bring their own. However, this group is very friendly, and we have witnessed artists trading and sharing supplies many times. Please do not always count on this kindness.

Free Range Brewery provides us with tables and chairs for the artists, but it can get quite crowded. We have a limited amount of foam pads so people can sit directly on the floor. To ensure you have a seat, bring a backup chair/yoga mat in case it’s needed!

Ms. Meikle is making an extravagant supply list with recommendations. Stay tuned. Hopefully, this will be done by next year.

Sundays Figure Drawing Sessions are free!! That’s right, you can come and work from a live model for free. These sessions are held at Free Range Brewery in NoDa, so we ask that you purchase items from Free Range to support their local business.

Of course, donations are welcome. It is actually pretty difficult to be nude, stand still, and organize all of this. All donations are split between the model 60%, host 30%, and CCC 10%. For example, a $15 donation: Model $9, host $4.50, CCC $1.50.

Fourth Thursday Portrait Sessions at FRB are $15

Absolutely!! From one ADHD artist to another, we get it. Please give a brief note stating the date you attended or the model you worked from.

 Retroactive donations are split: Model 60%, Host 30%, and Creative Convergence CLT 10%. For example, a $15 donation: Model $9, Host $4.50, CCC $1.50.

You can even donate $50, list the month, and we'll split that among all models from that month.

 Artists can donate digitally at any time using one of the following options:
venmo: @therealchalice
(last four of phone number 5505)

 cashapp: $therealchalice

(legal last name is Bartsch-Bailley)

 Zelle or PayPal: creativeconvergenceclt@gmail.com

Free Figure Drawing Sundays: No. This particular setting does not allow reference photographs of the model at any time during the session. In rare cases, the models will ask the host to take a photograph. This is used strictly at the model’s discretion.

Portrait Sessions 4th Thursday of the month: Yes! We will insist that you tip the model at least $5 since the photograph will last forever, and it pays them for their time as well.

Please no... Think of this space like a gallery, museum, or classroom. Just add beer and Elton John music.

At this time, we are at capacity for new models. CCC will accept first time ever, brand new models in 2027.

However, if you have up to 2 years of experience, CCC is happy to work with all shapes and sizes.

We have a 0% discrimination policy for models. All are welcome to perform.

Check out the ‘figure model form’, and please allow up to 2 months for Ms. Meikle to respond.

9.8/10, the model will be completely nude for Figure Drawing Sundays. On some occasions, we work with the model and their comfort level.

We hire models from all levels. Some people come on their very first day and need to wear some pazzaz (a large necklace, fairy wings, wool socks, a swimsuit) to feel comfortable. Some models are working with us during the beginning of their monthly lady cycle, and they need to cover up their privates to ensure they don’t bleed on stage.

For portrait sessions, we let the model choose the theme and what they wish to wear for the session.

For figure and portrait sessions

CCC does not bring robes or blankets. The model is expected to bring a robe or something for them to easily change into and out of during breaks for nude figure sessions. We do not recommend a dress, cape, or blanket for a quick change. Occasionally, CCC will bring a heater if needed or requested during the winter months.

Models are encouraged to bring their own desired stool, chair, skull prop, or anything that they see fit for their postures.

Models are encouraged to bring their own desired stool, chair, skull prop, or anything that they see fit for their postures.

We are doing our best to expand to more locations and offer more portrait sessions for everyone to attend.

Free Range Brewery is a family-friendly, safe space for all.

Artists under 21 are more than welcome to come and learn from the live nude human form. However, this is a brewery. Artists under 21 must be accompanied by an adult, guardian, or parent on the premises at all times.

For artists who are 10 and younger, make sure they understand that this is a place for everyone to work quietly.

Again, figure sessions are fully nude on Sundays, and 4th Thursday sessions are portraiture where the model is fully clothed.