Running a life drawing class for pre-clinical medical students

To explore the learning possibilities of linking art and anatomy learning.

First- and second-year medical students at Southampton University were offered the chance to take part in 3-hour life drawing classes with a life drawing tutor and an anatomist. Attempts were made by the anatomy tutor to link the muscles and bones of the living body in front of the students with their previous learning. The sessions were successful, and enjoyed by students.

Whilst this type of learning cannot take the place of more formal instruction, there does seem to be value in increasing students' interest by providing new points of view and contexts for dry pre-clinical learning. A greater knowledge by the students of anatomy, physiology and clinical medicine at a later stage in their course might have provided further ways to exploit this learning opportunity.