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.
Monday 2 March: the start of a lean week for life modelling. My one and only booking was this evening. If you’ve got only one booking for a whole week, you want it to be a good one. And so it was: with Walthamstow Lifedrawing.
“Good” is determined by the feeling it gives me. It doesn’t have to be the best paying, the best attended, the most prestigious or the most glamorous. If it energises me and leaves me feeling happier than when I arrived, then it’s a good ‘un.
The pose durations were well known to me from previous visits yet I arrived with only two or three poses in mind. The rest were inspired in the moment: one wholly original and another an old favourite; the rest all new hybrids of bygone arrangements.
Warm room, warm hearts. I did indeed leave happier than when I arrived. Not that I’d been at all unhappy upon arrival, it’s merely testimony to the ability of a good session to raise my spirits higher. Week’s work done, I walked out my full 6’4″ height.
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.
Week Three of three in February sitting for portraits with Ilford Art Society. After this, no more sitting with my chin resting on my fist! It was only ever intended as a novelty pose for just the first session, yet here we were three weeks later.
The one artist who’d wished to work on a single painting of the same pose over three sessions was focusing only on my upper body. This meant I could at least amend my leg positioning to create a modicum of variety for other artists.
After two weeks of sitting with legs crossed I opted to stretch out with my left leg fully extended. Yeah, let’s finish with a foreshortening challenge! It went very well. Whilst I won’t miss my chin-fist pose, I’ll miss February Wednesdays with these gentle folk.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Part 1 : 60.
— break —
Part 2 : 41 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Jolanta.
steve ritter 