And begin again. Just half an hour after closing part 1 of London Drawing Saturday life drawing at Waterloo Action Centre, it’s time to start part 2. That’s 10 minutes for admiring artworks, 10 minutes for snacking, and 10 minutes to re-ready.
Once more the ever-effervescent Andrea Voisey was organising and offering tuition, this time for a ‘long pose’ session (albeit we began with plenty of rapid warm-ups). As some artists were attending both sessions, I tried not to repeat any ‘part 1’ poses.
The final two poses were 28 and 40 minutes respectively, with a 15-minute interval in between. For these I sat and stood; irrationally my ingrained working class work-ethic still afflicts me with feelings of guilt if I simply sprawl on cushions for the main pose.
You might think standing for 40 minutes would take the highest toll, but actually more damage was done during the seated pose. Something about the way I positioned my legs resulted in me suffering the delights of shin splints for the next four days.
I’m conscious that as I get older my body pays a higher price for its life model efforts. As much as I try to mitigate, time and age will inevitably have the last word. There’s a decision I’ve been trying to avoid but cannot put off forever. That is:
When to prioritise the physical health imperative of quitting modelling over the mental health imperative of continuing? In truth, much of the rest of my life has eroded away over the past year or two. Modelling is my connection to humanity. Ho hum…
Pose minutes, 4pm-6pm
Part 1 : 6, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 28.
— break —
Part 2 : 40.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Andrea Voisey.
Artwork by Sue T.
Artwork by Sue T.
Artwork by Sue T.
Perfect timing! I’d been set for a week with no life modelling when with just four days’ notice, Anne of London Drawing got in touch to ask whether I was free for Saturday sessions at Waterloo Action Centre, from 1:30pm to 3:30pm, and 4pm to 6pm.
What made this timing perfect was that I already had a 7pm ticket for the ‘Turner and Constable’ exhibition at Tate Britain that evening. So, work till 6pm at Waterloo, then take a leisurely stroll along Thames footpaths to enjoy some quality gallery time.
With Andrea Voisey working as the tutor for both sessions, perfection was complete. As always, this first session with short poses was busier than the second (long pose) session, but to me it seemed artist numbers were pretty solid for both.
Indeed, attendance has been so good here recently that models now have to pose in the round rather than with their backs to one wall, thus allowing an extra row of seats to be provided for artists. Such is the demand.
So with artists on all four sides of our creative space and bright spring sunlight falling from its high windows, I pivoted merrily through the 18 poses of ‘part 1’. None longer than 20 minutes, but a 40-minute pose awaited those who stayed on for ‘part 2‘…
Pose minutes, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Part 1 : 7, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 5, 7.
— break —
Part 2 : 20, 20.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Tim Daly.
Artwork by Tim Daly.
After time-out from modelling to take two weeks travelling around Canada, this was a welcome return. I’d never been to Canada before, and neither had I previously posed here. But whereas Canada in March could get as chilly as -11°C, Print Club London warmed me in every respect.
Life drawing here is organised by model, artist and all-round serene embracer-of-life, Haffa. We’d first met during a life drawing session at The Art of Isolation in January, where I was modelling and Haffa – having been the model a day earlier – called-in to draw. Contact details were exchanged, and the rest is history; how life works.
Sessions led by people who also do life modelling themselves are invariably attentive to models’ well-being, etiquette within the group and comfort of the environment. This was absolutely the case at Print Club London. No fussing, just simple care and clarity for everybody at the outset, then we all get on with enjoying our practice.
Good music, good feeling, lots of friendliness around the room… even an unexpected encounter. I could feel this was as much a social gathering of like-spirited people as it was an art group. With so much hype and image-led marketing of life drawing around London these days, it’s lovely to find there are still little publicity-free pockets of joy.
Pose minutes, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Part 1 : 1, 1, 1, 1.5, 1.5, 2, 5, 12, 15, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 1, 1, 1.5, 1.5, 12, 17.
Photographs
All photos © Haffa.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by LP.
Artwork by Haffa.
Artwork by LP.
Artwork by Haffa.
Artwork by Esther Bunting.
Artwork by Esther Bunting.
Artwork by LP.
Having seen social media posts of portrait models for Hesketh Hubbard Art Society going beyond a standard neutral pose at Mall Galleries – for example, breastfeeding during a sitting – I decided it was time I too offered more than just a pretty face.
Although breastfeeding wasn’t an option, I reckoned I could raise my hands in prayer position for two hours. Of course, I understood that such an act might be sacrilegious for portrait purists so I made sure they were kept low enough to be ignorable.
One final consideration was to wear an unpatterned single-colour shirt. Capturing my hands as well as my likeness in such limited time would be challenge enough without the addition of complicated clothing.
As is often the case, my only mild discomfort came during the second half as a result of the miniscule effort needed to re-position my hands exactly as they were originally. Otherwise it was plain sailing for me, and I heard no grumbles from the artists.
Best of all from this evening was meeting so many lovely people; in some cases after many years since our last encounter. The sustained warmth makes me tremendously grateful to have found a place within London’s artistic community. Love to all.
Pose minutes, 6pm-8:15pm
Part 1 : 60.
— break —
Part 2 : 60 continuation.
Photographs
At the half-time interval.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Curtis Holder.
Artwork by IRene LAfferty.
Artwork by Desmond Sloane.
Artwork by Anthony Swann.
Artwork by Zoe C.
Artwork by Simon Taylor.
Artwork by Theo Phizza.
Finished artwork
Completed after the session.
Artwork by Zoe C.
Following two Monday afternoon life modelling sessions for Kindred Studios Artists in the last three weeks, this was to be the first of three Wednesday evening bookings back at Kindred Studios, once a month over the next three months.
Sessions are held in the same space behind the ground-floor reception area, and are led by the same artist, Graham Dexter. Beyond that, it seems to be a tad random, or perhaps better to say flexible, as to which studio artists might show-up.
My first Monday attracted what seemed to me a good turn-out; then the next Monday topped that with even more. This Wednesday had far fewer, however. I am reassured not to take it personally though, as attendance had been low the previous week too.
The job is identical for me, regardless. As the pose-time pattern was familiar by now, I just got on and did my stuff. I tried not to repeat my Monday poses, both for Graham’s benefit and my own sake. After all, who likes endless repeats? Got to keep it fresh.
Pose minutes, 6pm-8pm
Part 1 : 2, 2, 2, 5, 5, 10, 15, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 20, 15, 10.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
It was the second of my four bookings this week, but my evening at Framestore with Cosy Life Drawing London would call for more poses than the other three sessions put together. Animators, you see. Lots of dynamic stuff. I love it.
As always, the pose times were pre-programmed into a device (technology abounds) and called in flat male computer tones. Start time (“tell-me-when-you-are-ready”) and end time, and if 10 minutes or more, the halfway point (the actual word “ding”).
Where the session differed from previous visits is that no props were provided for my use. When belatedly I was invited to choose from a selection, I politely declined. I felt it was a refreshing change simply to be myself here. Back on props next time… 🙂
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.
A mere two weeks after my first Monday afternoon life modelling session for Kindred Studios Artists, I was back. As both sessions were booked at the same time it didn’t count as a vote of confidence. In fact it was set to be a nightmare if no-one turned up for my return, but – dream-time – there were even more artists in attendance.
This session would have a similar pattern of poses as the one a fortnight ago so the only challenge was simply to make sure I didn’t repeat myself. Not a problem though, as I’ve had a run of close-together sessions with groups (albeit usually months rather than weeks apart) and am increasingly adept at ringing the changes.
So, all that remained was to enjoy the work. No problem on that score either. My next bookings at Kindred Studios are on Wednesday evenings; the first coming two days after this, then one in April and one in May. Whether the format or the artists might be the same, I did not know, but I could not hope for better.
Pose minutes, 2:30pm-4:30pm
Part 1 : 3, 3, 3, 5, 5, 10, 15, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 15, 15, 13.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Judith Brenner.
Artwork by Annabel Hill Loureiro.
Artwork by Judith Brenner.
Artwork by Abigail Burton.
Artwork by Judith Brenner.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
Artwork by Abigail Burton.
steve ritter 