Elsie Diamond Inspires Foundation Art Students

Foundation Art, Design and Media students at John Leggott College had the opportunity to develop their observational drawing skills during a special live modelling session with cabaret artist Elsie Diamond.

Elsie visited JLC’s studio to model for students in her glamorous cabaret costumes, giving them the chance to draw a professional performer while exploring pose, costume, character and movement.

A particular highlight of the session was Elsie’s iconic fan dance, which gave students an opportunity to respond to movement and performance through their artwork.

What did students experience during the session?

Students worked from Elsie as a live model, drawing her in a series of glamorous costumes.

Working from a live subject provides students with the opportunity to observe form, posture and movement directly rather than relying solely on photographs or other reference material.

The session also encouraged students to respond creatively to Elsie’s performance style, with the fan dance providing a particularly dynamic subject for observational drawing.

Why are live modelling sessions valuable for Foundation Art students?

Live modelling sessions give students the opportunity to develop observational drawing skills by working directly from a person in front of them.

For Foundation Art, Design and Media students, sessions such as this can support experimentation with pose, movement, costume and character while encouraging students to respond to what they see in real time.

Elsie’s visit also introduced an element of performance to the session, giving students a different subject and environment in which to develop their creative work.

What did previous JLC students say about the session?

Foundation students in previous years have reported that this type of session was among the most exciting experiences of their course.

Elsie Diamond’s visit continues that opportunity for students to experience a live creative session that combines performance, costume and observational drawing.

The morning provided students with a chance to work outside more conventional classroom activities and respond directly to a professional cabaret performer.

How does this support students’ creative development?

The session gave students the opportunity to practise observational drawing while working with a live performer.

Students could respond to different poses, costumes and movement, helping them explore how a subject can be represented through drawing.

For students developing their creative practice at John Leggott College, experiences such as this can provide new visual references and encourage them to approach their artwork from different perspectives.

Elsie’s visit was a memorable addition to the Foundation Art, Design and Media programme, combining live performance with practical creative learning.

FAQ Section

Who is Elsie Diamond?

Elsie Diamond is a cabaret artist who visited John Leggott College to model for Foundation Art, Design and Media students.

What did students do during Elsie Diamond’s visit?

Students drew Elsie as she modelled in glamorous cabaret costumes, using the live session to develop their observational drawing skills.

Did Elsie Diamond perform during the session?

Yes. Elsie performed her iconic fan dance during the session, giving students the opportunity to capture movement and performance through drawing.

Which JLC students took part?

The session was attended by Foundation Art, Design and Media students at John Leggott College.