• Williamstown, Altona, Laverton Star

By Kate Bonsack

10th March 2009 11:05:10 AM

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Dirty dancing ... Helen McLean will host life-drawing classes in Newport that use burlesque dancers as

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FORGET the tradition of drawing naked models in life drawing classes and try something different – burlesque style.

A Newport art class, Ink and Lead, will soon start parading burlesque dancers around in the suburb’s Junction Hotel for the pens of enthusiastic artists.

Local artist Helen McLean has been the creator of this new style of life drawing classes, where naked, silent models have been replaced with bodacious burlesque queens.

Ms McLean said the classes would be fun and would see sketchpads filled with scantily dressed ladies striking risque poses.

“This is far from your traditional drawing class,” she said.

“There are no teachers, no easels, no paints, no berets and no nude bits flapping in the wind.

“Hell, you don’t even need to be good at drawing.

“If you are the arty type, it’s a great excuse to refine your skills while having a fun night with friends.”

The artists will draw not only burlesque dancers but also circus performers, who will be protecting their modesty with elaborate costumes and vintage props.

One of the models will be burlesque dancer Vesper White, who said she enjoyed using nylons, Japanese ropes and bondage in her routines.

“Ah, burlesque. I love that it fuses the power of sexual expression with theatre – it really is performance art’s dirty little sister,” she said.

The Ink and Lead Life Drawing classes will be held from 8 April on every second Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

For further details visit www.inkandlead.com.au or phone Ms McLean on 0417 013 807.

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