FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything people ask us before booking a private figure-drawing party — the experience, the models, the logistics and the fine print. If your question isn’t here, send it our way.
The Experience
Do we need to know how to draw?
- No drawing experience is necessary — your instructor guides every step. Most guests have not drawn since grade school, and the exercises are designed so beginners can jump straight in and have fun.
Is this a strip show?
- No — this is a guided private art experience, not a performance or adult entertainment show. A professional model poses nude while an instructor teaches your group to draw — the same tradition as a life-drawing class at an art school.
How long does a party last?
- Most parties run 90 minutes to two hours depending on your package. That includes warm-up exercises, a progression of poses and time to compare everyone's masterpieces at the end.
How many guests can participate?
- Groups are typically 4 to 20 guests. Larger groups and corporate events can be accommodated with advance notice and additional instructors.
What actually happens during the session?
- Your instructor opens with playful warm-ups — blind contour, quick gestures, drawing with your non-dominant hand — then moves through longer poses with prompts and games. The guest of honor gets a moment built around them.
Models
Is the model completely nude?
- Yes. Nude posing is our standard format — our professional models pose nude for the group in a respectful, consent-based, studio-style setting, exactly as they would in a life-drawing class at an art school. Comfort and specifics can always be discussed when you book, and whatever is agreed in advance is what happens, with nothing changing mid-session.
Can we request a specific type of model?
- You can share a preference when you submit your request and we'll do our best to match it based on availability. Preferences are noted as requests, never guarantees, and all bookings respect our models' own boundaries.
Are the models professionals?
- Yes. Every model we work with has professional figure-modeling experience and is comfortable holding artistic poses for a group in a private setting.
How do guests interact with the model?
- Respectfully and at a distance, the same as any life-drawing studio. There is no touching, no requests outside the agreed format, and your instructor sets expectations before the first pose.
Locations
What areas do you serve?
- We serve Washington DC, Northern Virginia and Maryland, with travel available to Richmond, VA and beyond by request. Travel fees may apply outside the core DMV area.
Do you come to our Airbnb or hotel?
- Yes, wherever the venue or host permits private events. Guests should confirm their property's rules on gatherings and guest counts before booking so setup goes smoothly.
What kind of space do we need?
- A private room where everyone can sit and see the model, with reasonable lighting. Living rooms, hotel suites, private dining rooms, studios and event spaces all work well.
Can you help us find a venue?
- We can point you toward the kinds of spaces that work well for a party your size, but venue booking and any venue fees are handled by you directly.
Booking & Payment
How do we book a party?
- Start with Check Your Date. Send the date, city and guest count, we confirm availability and pricing, and a deposit holds the date on our calendar.
Is a deposit required?
- Yes — a 50% deposit secures your date, with the balance due before the event. Cancel more than 30 days out for a full refund of your deposit; within 30 days the deposit is forfeited.
What payment methods do you accept?
- Payment details are confirmed with your booking. We invoice electronically and confirm accepted methods at that time rather than collecting payment through this website.
How far in advance should we book?
- Earlier is better, especially for weekend dates in peak bachelorette season. That said, it's always worth checking a short-notice date — cancellations and open slots happen.
What is your cancellation policy?
- Cancellations made roughly three weeks or more before your event date qualify for a full refund. The exact policy is being finalized and is included in your booking agreement.
Photos & Privacy
Can we take photos?
- Photography follows a consent-based policy that we discuss with you before the event. Photos of your group and your artwork are usually welcome; photos of the model are only permitted with explicit agreement.
Will our party be posted on social media?
- Never without your permission. We do not photograph or share your event for marketing unless you explicitly opt in.
Is the event private?
- Completely. It's just your group, your instructor and your model in a space you control — no other guests, no public class, no audience.
Alcohol & Venues
Can we drink during the party?
- If your venue allows it, yes — drinks are part of the fun for many groups. Guests are responsible for confirming their own alcohol and venue rules.
Do you provide alcohol or bartending?
- No. Bare Canvas does not supply, serve or license alcohol. Anything you'd like to drink is brought and managed by your group.
Are there age restrictions?
- Yes — all guests must be 18 or older, and every guest should know the nature of the event before arriving.
Corporate Events
Do you host corporate and team events?
- Yes. Creative team sessions are booked under our Custom Canvas package, with the format and posing style tailored to what's appropriate for your group.
Can you invoice our company?
- Yes — corporate bookings can be invoiced to your organization. Share your billing contact and any purchase order or vendor requirements when you inquire and we'll work with your process.
How large a group can you handle?
- Large groups are accommodated with additional instructors and, where the format calls for it, additional models. Give us as much notice as you can for anything above 20 guests.
Can the format be toned down for a workplace group?
- Absolutely. Clothed and draped formats are popular for corporate sessions, and we agree the format with the organizer before the event.
Got Your Answers? Get Your Date.
Send us your date and group size and we’ll confirm availability and pricing.
Check Your Date