About the Society
Hesketh Hubbard Art Society (HHAS) offers both amateur and professional artists the opportunity to draw and paint a wide selection of life models in a stunning gallery setting.
HHAS is the largest and most prestigious life drawing society in London, with over 120 members.
The Society is a member of the Federation of British Artists (FBA), based at the Mall Galleries
Untutored sessions are held throughout the year. Usually around 60 artists work from 3 models: on the ‘quick’ 15 or 30 minute poses, the two hour ‘long’ pose or the two hour clothed portrait pose.
The sessions offer an opportunity for serious artists to develop their skills and artistic interpretation of the human figure in a stimulating and supportive atmosphere.
We have gathered a team of models who take pride in devising poses to inspire and challenge us.
Established in 1930
The Society was established in 1930 by a committee of the Royal Society of British Artists to address the shortage of life drawing opportunities at that time. The committee was chaired by Eric Hesketh Hubbard (1892–1957), who went on to become president of the RBA and a member of several associated art societies. The Society was originally known as the RBA 'Drawing Club’. After Hesketh Hubbard’s death in 1957, the Society was renamed in his honour.
Bursary Scheme for young artists
HHAS promotes life and portrait drawing and painting among young artists. Each year we offer three free year-long membership bursaries to current art students or young artists aged between 18 and 30. The bursaries are intended for those who have had limited access to life and portrait drawing and painting, rather than artists who are already accomplished in this field. Selected artists will be able to attend HHAS sessions free of charge throughout the year.
The successful candidates for the bursaries in 2024 are: Amelia Cross, Zeynep Swanson (whose drawing of Juno from her first session appears above), and Olly Williamson. You can find out more about these artists on the Mall Galleries website here.
In 2023, we exceptionally had four bursary members: Poppy Field, Chierol Lai, Amelia Lovell and Stefan Tiburcio. We wish them every success with their future artistic adventures.
