Life modelling in 2026 got off to a flier for me in more ways than one. No aeroplanes, but a flurry of early bookings, a fantastic opener at The Art of Isolation and actually, yes, even a brief unexpected airborne journey…
Whilst I am always enthusiastic to return to The Art of Isolation, I was slightly nervous that artists would be less forthcoming after the expenses of Christmas. I needn’t have worried though; we had a very healthy turn-out. Good energy.
As ever, Rod Kitson led the session with great vigour, offering tips and challenges to artists during the short poses of our first half, followed by a live portrait drawing demo as we got underway with the single long pose of our second half.
I threw all my usual energy into each pose but I’d been a tad under the weather since New Year so despite many lovely people being present, I held back from mingling too closely either side of each half. No need to risk passing on any lingering germs.
Everything went well and it seemed a good time was had by all. My final flier came in the car park afterwards when I tripped over a rubber speed-hump and landed heavily on my right-side. Nothing broken, just grazed palms, bruised ribs and a painful hip.
Notwithstanding that slapstick conclusion, this was an excellent beginning for the first sheet of a new calendar. I turned the page with positive intent and I retain my positive outlook. It’ll take more than a few bumps and abrasions to thwart me. Onward!
Pose minutes, 12:30pm-2:30pm
Part 1 : 10, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1+2, 5, 10, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 40.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Sophia.
Artwork by l’art pour l’art.
Artwork by HAFFA.
Photo by Rod Kitson.
My last booking of 2025 was for Cosy Life Drawing London – that is, the animators of Framestore at the lower level of their Chancery Lane studios. Lots of short poses, loads of props, great playlist, brilliant art, wine and cake at the interval… a lovely way to finish a marvellous year of being a model.
Truth be told, modelling and travel have kept me upbeat in what otherwise may have been one of the top three toughest years of my life, if not the outright worst. After last year, however, when I probably could have said the same thing, I’m getting used to it. It’s not habitual self-pity, just separations and inevitable loss in life as we get older.
I’ve never been a natural-born optimist yet curiously now, in spite of everything, I find myself looking forward with positivity. Challenges of the past two years have all either settled down or resolved. I have my health (fingers-crossed) and my home. Finances are in pretty good shape. And there’s been a psychological shift.
The shift comes from a sudden realisation that, aside from those with whom I confirm modelling bookings, for the first time in my life I have no responsibility to anybody but myself. I’ll try to be a good person, I’ll help family and friends when I can, but crucially no-one relies on me or has expectations of me beyond bureaucracy. I’m not needed.
Depending on a person’s disposition, that could be a depressing thought. For me, it’s liberating. I’m free. If I’m not around, life will still go on with barely a blip for all those I care about. It means I too can go on, further and freer than ever, to do as much or as little as I wish. I’m looking ahead… starting with model work on 4, 5, 6 January. 🙂
Happy New Year!
Pose minutes, 6:30pm-9pm
Part 1 : 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 2.
— break —
Part 2 : 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 15, 15, 15.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
After an unexpectedly high number of artists attended the previous London Drawing session (part 1) at Waterloo Action Centre this afternoon, I wondered how dramatic the inevitable dip for ‘part 2’ would be. Well, the answer was: not too dramatic at all.
Many artists left during the half-hour between each session, but also a steady flow of newcomers arrived. Tutor Andrea Voisey asked me to start with an 8-minute pose to allow time for everyone to settle. Next, a 2-minute pose while she provided a demo.
Nine quick poses of 1, 2, 3 or 5 minutes followed, after which we changed pace. One pose of 21 minutes took us to a break, and then a single 40-minute pose brought our afternoon to a close.
That last pose was my thirtieth of the day. The exertions had well and truly caught up with me; adrenaline and enthusiasm alone could no longer keep me upright so it had to be a seated pose. But of course, I angled and aligned each limb uniquely.
I was tired at the end, but wholly enjoyed the day. Not least because so many friends and familiar faces were present: Andrea and fellow London Drawing tutor Josie (who came simply to paint), with Tim and Sue and Chrissy drawing, plus more besides.
Working at the heart of a big hall packed with dozens of artists at easels or chairs, all enclosing me in a grand horseshoe, I felt privileged. It’s work that can be demanding, draining, objectifying, painful and misunderstood, but it lifts me to be wanted for it.
Pose minutes, 4pm-6pm
Part 1 : 8, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 5, 21.
— break —
Part 2 : 40.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Josie Deighton.
Artwork by Sumer Erek.
Following Tuesday’s short-notice booking with London Drawing in Covent Garden, it was a very pleasant surprise when another offer arrived from them just 48 hours later for a Saturday double-booking at Waterloo Action Centre.
Although the Saturday doubles are thought of as short-pose and long-pose sessions, in fact they both open with quick poses. The difference comes after the breaks, when the first session has two 20-minute poses and the second has one of 40 minutes.
So, part 1: quicks plus two 20s. It being the penultimate weekend before Christmas, I hadn’t expected a vast attendance but again I was pleasantly surprised when at least forty artists turned up. They love to draw, draw, draw while they can!
As per my last visit here, this session was led by irrepressible tutor, artist, model, and all-round force of nature, Andrea Voisey. We started with a 10-minute warm-up, then she set me barrelling through thirteen poses of 1, 2, 3 or 5 minutes.
Long sequences of short poses are probably still my favourite part of this job. They’re always fun, a chance to test the imagination, and warming too; warming to the extent that I had to switch off one of the two fan heaters on duty this December afternoon.
I stood in pose for the 13 minutes that remained of our first half. For the second half I sat in a tight twist on the floor, then stood again till the end of this part 1. Really great energy in the room. I hoped I had enough of it left myself to get me through part 2…
Pose minutes, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Part 1 : 10, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 13.
— break —
Part 2 : 20, 20.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Sue T.
Artwork by Sue T.
Artwork by Tim Daly.
Artwork by Josie Deighton.
Artwork by Josie Deighton.
I do like a dash of vibrancy, so it was nice to find this session for architects hosted by Adult Learning Lewisham would be focusing on watercolours. We’d been assigned the main art classroom at the Granville Park Centre, so tutor Caroline Underwood seized the chance to make use of its wider range of materials.
Not only was it to be a vivid practice, but also we looked at watercolour figure studies by Egon Schiele as references for our inspiration. I was in my element! Duly, I chose poses that wholly or in part echoed the attitudes of Schiele in some of his well-known self-portraits; four standing, two seated.
Competing pre-Christmas priorities and ill-health meant just three architects could be present, but with small numbers comes serenity. It fascinating to see how each artist, without specific directing, made distinct independent choices about preferred shades and approaches to mark-making. I wish watercolour was used more often for life art.
Pose minutes, 1pm-3pm
Part 1 : 3, 3, 10, 10, 20, 20.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Caroline Underwood.
This one-to-one 4-hour private booking carried on from where our 4-hour session the day before had ended (read the 9 December blog for full background). Once again I was to maintain the same pose throughout, with a break every 20 minutes. Again the pose was to be captured both clothed and nude.
The difference today was that only for our first 20 minutes was I clothed. Thereafter, I remained nude whilst ever more fine lines were drawn over the main rendering of my figure on quality paper, which had been informed by an outline sketch on transparent paper prepared during the previous session.
All together, our two days completed one exercise from the book ‘The Natural Way to Draw‘ by Kimon Nicolaïdes. The relevant chapter was about halfway through the full text so there’s still a long way to go; more models will be required. I’ve been happy to play my part, and I’ll be happy to recommend the role when other models are invited.
In a surprisingly busy week of bookings that all arrived relatively late, this one got the prize for shortest notice of all: not much more than 24 hours before the session itself. But it was ideal as I would already be in town and able to travel direct from my earlier job in Tottenham Hale, with enough time for an unrushed bite to eat before work.
When I last posed for London Drawing at Westminster Quaker Meeting House, in spring, it was quite a busy session. Returning now just a few days before Christmas, it seemed fair to expect a somewhat below-average attendance. Not so, however, as a surprising influx almost bang on 7pm made the overall turn-out respectable.
I started with a 15-minute warm-up pose that allowed time for everyone to choose an easel and get settled. Once liberated from sign-in duties by the door, Anne of London Drawing then steered the group through a flurry of quick-fire 2-minute poses followed by loosely-timed longer poses, with suggestions and feedback for artists throughout.
It was a nice, comfortable relaxed session. Being at the centre of London’s West End where hardly anyone actually lives, this group doesn’t have quite the community vibe that’s more prevalent further out, but it has its regulars, everyone is equally welcome, everyone is equally ‘at home’. Hey, drop-in some time! 🙂
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 15, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 5+, 5+, 15+.
— break —
Part 2 : 35.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
steve ritter 