My final job before a planned four-week hiatus to go long-distance travelling was with Clapton Drawing at The Clapton Hart. This meant being back under stewardship of Catherine Hall, erstwhile of Drawing the Star where I’d posed two weeks earlier.
This evening was a more low-key affair than a fortnight ago at The Star. I would have said “quieter“, but for a rowdy incoherent intervention during our break by a local lady with mental health difficulties – a regrettable but rare incident. I hope she finds help.
Aside from our drawing and modelling, Catherine and I used this evening to conclude some private business. As well as being a great group organiser, a fantastic tutor and good friend, Catherine is a brilliant artist. So I’ve bought another of her paintings.
She’s set herself the ambitious target of painting a billion (you heard correct) skies on 20cm x 20cm canvases. I already owned ‘Study, My Sky 0,000,000,017‘, from 2020; I now own ‘Study, Your Sky 0,000,000,051‘ from this year’s summer solstice.
The thing with it being such a new painting is that whilst I paid for it at The Star, I was not able to collect it that evening because the oil paint hadn’t dried sufficiently. This is art reality! But allowing two more weeks, it was safe for me to collect in Clapton.
Numbers 17 and 51 now hang side-by-side on the wall of my staircase at home. I am quite enjoying collecting art at the moment. Not in any disciplined or investment style, but as the whim takes me. Within what I can afford, I simply follow my heart.
This summer I made three separate bids in the ‘secret auction’ of Leigh Art Trail and was delighted to succeed in acquiring two of the three pieces. I’d obtained two pieces in previous years via the same route. Mantra: support the living arts!
It seems with my modelling I am inspiring art, and what I earn from it now contributes to me buying art. Both ends of the equation bring me joy. Check out ‘Study, Your Sky 0,000,000,051‘ below, and many more skies on Instagram @catherinehallart.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9pm
Part 1 : 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 10, 10.
— break —
Part 2 : 10, 10, 10.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Sean Gilligan Studio.
Artwork by Sean Gilligan Studio.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Joseph O’Connor.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Sean Gilligan Studio.
Artwork by Ayla.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Sean Gilligan Studio.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Ayla.
Artwork by Sean Gilligan Studio.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Ayla.
Artwork by Joseph O’Connor.
‘Study, Your Sky 0,000,000,051’
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Photo by Catherine Hall.
Back with Walthamstow Lifedrawing for a second time at their colourful new venue, Walthamstow Toy Library. Usual pose times (a sequence I like) and in the round as usual too. Reliability allows me loosely to plan more than a couple of poses ahead.
Nonetheless I still managed to fall into a familiar trap. I forgot to take into account the weakening effects of a pose on a particular limb, and to follow it with a compensatory pose rather one that would double-down on the debilitation.
In this instance I followed a pose that numbed my left arm with another pose with the same outcome, but compounded by insufficient recovery time between them. Details, details, details. That aside, it was another lovely evening with lovely people!
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:15pm
Part 1 : 5, 5, 5, 5, 10, 15, 20.
— break —
Part 2 : 30.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Harriet Armstrong.
Artwork by Harriet Armstrong.
Artwork by Leah.
Artwork by Harriet Armstrong.
Artwork by Leah.
I met Vika when I life modelled at Print Club London on 1 April this year. Vika asked whether I would be interested in sitting for one of the 3-hour Sunday portrait sessions she runs at Praxis N16 in Stoke Newington. For sure, I would!
Praxis N16 is an artist-led, not-for-profit charity organisation that provides “affordable and flexible workspace for local creatives”. Inside the converted Victorian warehouse there are individual studios, a kitchen, bathrooms, and a large workshop space.
Our portrait session was held in the large open space, made bright by warm summer sunshine, and kept tolerably cool by a rotating fan. I sat upon a chair with my back to the wall, a contrasting fabric taped behind me, and an arc of easels in front.
We started the afternoon’s single pose in durations of half an hour, with a short break after each. Following three of these we took a longer break with much friendly banter over a lavish buffet of snacks, generously provided by Vika in the kitchen.
When we resumed there was time for one more sitting of forty-five minutes, taking us to the end. Of course, the curse that falls on all portrait sitters is drowsiness. I find it’s always at its peak during the second half-hour, and so it proved again here.
I fought gamely against the fog; that grey tunnel into which consciousness and vision seek constant refuge. The artists reassured me I got through it without actually falling asleep, but their portraits captured me accurately with heavy eyelids.
Aside from the endurance factor – an unavoidable aspect of the job – this was a very nice session with nice people. Everyone was engaged, but each was happy pursuing their own practice in their own way, which is exactly how untutored art should be.
Pose minutes, 1pm-4pm
Part 1 : 90.
— break —
Part 2 : 45 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Vika.
Artwork by Frank Gambino.
Artwork by Frank Gambino.
Artwork by Frank Gambino.
Artwork by kung chun chan.
Artwork by Melissa Hajj.
I’ve written many times about my great affection for Drawing the Star and the joyous evenings of modelling for the group at The Star by Hackney Downs, yet even within that context this felt like an important one. At a personal level. Therapeutic.
On the Friday before this Tuesday I attended an event that made me feel melancholy at the time and then utterly wretched throughout the day after. I bought myself a treat on the Saturday afternoon; pricey, but just a mental health sticking plaster.
Thereafter, things picked up. I had a happy social Sunday, and went through Monday with more positive purpose. Friday’s discombobulation still hadn’t fully worked its way out of my system, though. Special life drawing with special people was required.
I arrived an hour early and met Drawing the Star organiser Catherine Hall at the bar. I’m privileged to have known Catherine for more than twelve years as a brilliant artist, gifted art tutor, slick event maker and above all, friend. We talked… well, I talked.
Thank you Catherine, for listening. It wasn’t an emotional outpouring, I just needed to unblock. I’ve often felt if there was no such thing as art, then social services would be overwhelmed. Models need outlets too. Now it was time for me to work.
I started the session feeling energised, and this only escalated when midway through the first half, in walked model / artist / omnidazzling human, Haffa, who had joined us to draw. Quite unexpected.
Suddenly two of my favourite people were in the room: Catherine, who has shined so bright in my sky for so long and continues undimmed; and now Haffa, a new glittering star in my firmament. Unique people. Sometimes I need reminding of my blessings.
And lest I forget, the other artists in the room added their own stardust, creating such strong drawings, sharing their own goodwill and lively energy. Thank you, everybody! I’d arrived with baggage and optimism; I left only with happiness. Thank you.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9pm
Part 1 : 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 10, 10.
— break —
Part 2 : 10, 10, 10.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Abi.
Artwork by Abi.
Artwork by Abi.
Artwork by Abi.
Artwork by Abi.
Artwork by Carolina Thorbert.
Artwork by Carolina Thorbert.
Artwork by Carolina Thorbert.
Artwork by Carolina Thorbert.
Artwork by Carolina Thorbert.
Artwork by Carolina Thorbert.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Eri Jameson.
Artwork by Eri Jameson.
Artwork by Eri Jameson.
Artwork by MISHLA.
Artwork by MISHLA.
Artwork by MISHLA.
Artwork by MISHLA.
Artwork by MISHLA.
Artwork by Oliver Elphick.
Artwork by Oliver Elphick.
Artwork by HAFFA.
Artwork by HAFFA.
Artwork by HAFFA.
Artwork by twobellsofawakening.
Artwork by twobellsofawakening.
Artwork by twobellsofawakening.
Artwork by twobellsofawakening.
My second session with London Drawing during this week was Thursday evening at St Pancras Church House, near Euston Station. As on Tuesday in Covent Garden we expected a relatively low number of artists attending, but whereas on Tuesday we were blown away when forty turned-up, on this occasion our expectations were met.
That’s OK. I suspect if we had been told in advance the total number of artists for the two sessions we would have been quite content. As it was, the lopsidedness felt a bit weird. The show goes on regardless, however, and in this instance the more intimate scale afforded positivity of a different kind. Artists had room to move in closer.
My job and that of London Drawing organiser Anne remained the same. Anne offered guidance and suggested challenges, whilst I made poses appropriate to each task. In Covent Garden the suggestion was continuous line; with dominant and non-dominant hands. Here it was cropping. As ever, most artists simply adapted as they pleased…
…and as ever, if they are pleased then I am pleased.
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 10, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 5, 7, 25.
— break —
Part 2 : 30.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
I had two bookings with London Drawing this week, beginning here at Westminster Quaker Meeting House in the Covent Garden area. Both came with 48 hours’ notice and were most welcome. Both also came with a warning that in soaring summer heat our numbers for artists attending might not be great.
The climate forecast was correct but the numbers forecast could not have been more wrong. No fewer than 40 artists turned up. Apparently it was only 10 the week before. But I’ve heard similar from many life drawing organisers; they might have a loyal core of regulars but overall numbers can be wildly unpredictable. Tricky business.
I take no credit for our full house as the model’s identity hadn’t been promoted. I take credit only for stamina in maintaining an extended sequence of 2-minute poses while latecomers were being checked-in throughout the whole of our first half-hour. Overall we gathered a lot of energy in the room… of the positive kind, not just the heat!
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 10, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 10, 10, 10, 10.
— break —
Part 2 : 35.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Sweet Thursday – or rather its private hire space, ‘The Cannery‘, at the rear – is the newest venue for Adrian Dutton’s groups. It has superseded St Peter de Beauvoir Town church hall as the place for Monday evening life drawing. And what a delightful cosy arty space it is for life drawing.
The church hall had a larger floor area with more room for everyone, albeit with a row of support columns that could obstruct sightlines. The Cannery, although smaller, can comfortably accommodate 25-30 artists with the model posing in the middle, and has the bonus option to buy drinks and snacks at half-time from Sweet Thursday itself.
So this became the thirteenth different venue at which I’ve posed for Adrian’s groups. One thing that never changes is the easy-going charm of Adrian himself. Pose times were familiar too and it was nice to recognise friendly faces among the community of artists that has relocated from the old place… just five minutes’ walk away.
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 5, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 5, 10, 20.
— break —
Part 2 : 5, 15, 20.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Jessica Rose Bird.
Artwork by Jessica Rose Bird.
Artwork by Jessica Rose Bird.
steve ritter 