Back with Cosy Life Drawing London in the movie-making magicians’ technological dungeon at Framestore. My poses are strictly analogue, however, and so are the life drawings… apart from one artist using a tablet… oh, and a robot calls the pose times.
Last time here I declined to use props but said I would return to them at this session. So, for the 5-minute and 10-minute poses of our first half, I brandished a sword and a combat pole, hopefully in ways that were original. I’ve brandished them before.
At half-time I revisited the props bin to select some new items, but all I could find was more (fake) weapons: automatic rifles, bows (no arrows), more swords and poles. An umbrella was also present, though I wouldn’t be surprised if that was poison-tipped.
Posturing with weapons isn’t really my style, and I’d posed with their umbrella on one of my previous visits, so I cast about for any non-lethal alternatives. Answers were at hand! The glass from which I’d been drinking, and a towel provided for seat padding.
Duly, five 2-minute poses with the glass were followed by three 15-minute poses with the towel, taking us to the session’s end. It’s curious how different props can create a whole new dynamic for poses. Maybe I need to experiment more often.
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.
At Hesketh Hubbard Art Society evenings in Mall Galleries, artists work from three models: one for ‘quick’ poses of 15 or 30 minutes (nude), one for a 2-hour ‘long’ pose (nude), and one for a 2-hour seated portrait pose (clothed). In any given year models on the society’s roster will tend to be booked once on each of these three platforms.
This evening it was my turn to be back on long-pose duty. In truth, I don’t think any of us especially relish the long pose. It’s an endurance exercise. I’m one of perhaps just four or five who occasionally volunteer to stand in pose. When I stood last August, it was horrendous. I already felt ill upon arrival. Even so, I was minded to try again.
It might seem odd but maybe because I did feel so out-of-sorts back then I was more motivated to banish that old ghost and get everything right this time. Duly I gave very careful consideration to all aspects: angles of feet, angles of legs, weight distribution, balance, positions of arms, flex of elbows, elevation of chin, direction of gaze…
Crucially, I brought with me a yoga mat of the type that folds rather than rolls. Folding this to triple thickness I made the perfect base for my feet; soft yet stable. And having done so, all that remained was the endurance part: an hour standing with only a brief shake of the arms to restore circulation, then a break, then an hour with two shakes.
Standing motionless with an arm slightly raised for almost the whole of two hours can never be entirely pain-free, but my attention to detail paid-off. This was infinitely more bearable than my last experience. I’ll file this one mentally (in every sense) as a good evening’s work. Ghost banished. An exorcism with lovely people.
Pose minutes, 6pm-8:15pm
Part 1 : 60.
— break —
Part 2 : 60 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Simon Taylor.
Artwork by John Williams.
Work in-progress at the half-time interval – artist not known.
Artwork by Henry Gilbert.
Artwork by Amanda Coleman ROI.
This was the fifth of my five bookings for Kindred Studios Artists made way back in January. Over the duration of these sessions, Kindred Studios has become a happy place for me, where I have met many talented and charming artists. All that remained for now, though, was to relish one last encounter with them… silent and static.
I was asked to incorporate a couple of specific yoga-inspired poses this evening, so I obliged with the positions requested, plus a couple more besides. Prior to 2026 I was attending yoga classes almost every week. Now, however, I’m managing only once a month. In part, this is due to my ageing frame losing ever more flexibility.
An aspect I have always found difficult is my body being entirely incapable of making an ‘L’ shape. That’s a showstopper for many yoga basics, such as: folding at the hips with a flat back, or sitting upright with legs out straight, or laying with legs up, or even ‘downward-facing dog’. But I’m fine with legs-crossed or ‘warrior’ or ‘swan’, etc.
As with all poses, it’s about having awareness of your body and a willingness to push it near to its limits but never beyond. Make allowances too for the cumulative effect of multiple poses. I think I got the balance of this session right. Now I have one last visit planned: Kindred Open Studios, 27-28 June 2026, 11am to 6pm… off duty!
Pose minutes, 6pm-8pm
Part 1 : 2, 2, 2, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 10.
— break —
Part 2 : 10, 10, 15, 15.
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.
It had been over six months since I last modelled at one of Adrian Dutton’s groups, and over eighteen since my only previous session at The Bath House. Hence, I was extra motivated to give maximum effort this evening.
As per the evening before, my enthusiasm was translated to mainly standing poses. On that occasion I sat for 33 minutes and stood for 67 minutes. Here, I had one pose kneeling for 1 minute, sat for a total of 15 minutes and stood for a total of 73 minutes.
It’s important to note the difference in impact of standing for many short poses versus standing in a single pose of equivalent length. We take care to ensure long poses are comfortable and balanced, whereas with short poses we push ourselves more.
Pushing ourselves through multiple short standing poses, with all the expected twists and imbalances, forces our muscles to work harder and distributes our weight across the pressure points of our feet unevenly for unusually long (cumulative) periods.
Often it’s only afterwards that any damaging effects are noticed. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of my time modelling at this session. The energy in the room was good, no-one was making demands, it was just me pushing myself. Adrenaline, I guess.
The result? Well, I had arrived with persistent pain in my right heel and I left with new similar pains in the ball of my right foot, which stayed with me for over a week. I have to be more careful. I need to be more mindful of consequences. I must do better.
There’s a message in this for young models too. When your body is lithe, healthy and supple, the cumulative effect of your pose choices is likely to be far from your mind. It will catch up with you eventually, though. How could it not? So please be careful.
You may stay just within your limits for each individual pose but trouble starts to brew when you push those limits for pose after pose after pose. Don’t pile disproportionate weight onto the same pressure points again and again. Take time. Think. Take care.
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 5, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 5, 10, 20.
— break —
Part 2 : 5, 20, 18
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Alex Potts.
Artwork by Alex Potts.
Artwork by Alex Potts.
Artwork by Alex Potts.
Artwork by Alex Potts.
Artwork by Graham Clapham.
Artwork by Adrian Dutton.
Artwork by Alex Potts.
Artwork by Sylvietta sketches – see Instagram reel.
Julia of The Moon and Nude messaged me on the morning of this booking and said: “I know you’re really good for punctuality” but emphasised on this occasion a need to “start at 7pm sharp.” She’s right, I’ve never been late arriving at The Victoria Stakes so I would take the hint and do my utmost not to tarnish my record this evening.
Timings of my trains to London are such that I can either reach the venue 10 minutes early or 40 minutes early. As I am retired from full-time work and have plenty of hours to burn these days, I took the leisurely option and arrived to find Julia dragging tables and chairs that were cluttering the pose space.
Normally I hasten to lend anyone a helping hand but Julia has said before, to me and others, she’s quite particular in her ways of working and will brook no interference, no matter how well-meaning. It troubles me to stand idle whilst another does heavy work alone, but I respect Julia’s wishes. Plus, I would be working alone soon enough.
There were many chairs to be dragged into the usual wide oval for artists. Happily for this session the effort wasn’t wasted as a steady flow of arrivals ensured we as many people drawing as I could remember seeing here in a long time. At 7pm sharp I threw myself into shapes with great energy.
We began with quick poses and ended after a break with two 20-minute poses. I took the decision to stand for both 20-minute poses, which Julia remarked was a rarity. I’m happy to oblige, albeit I pay later with an extra ache or two. As attendance increased, so did the post-event kind words to salve my pains. Thank you, all! 🙂
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20.
— break —
Part 2 : 20, 20.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by Sketches and more.
Artwork by alex bailey.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by Alan Baines.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by Sasha Leech.
Artwork by alex bailey.
Artwork by alex bailey.
Artwork by Sasha Leech.
Artwork by alex bailey.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by Sasha Leech.
Artwork by Sasha Leech.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by alex bailey.
Artwork by Sketches and more.
As per my last Wednesday evening with Kindred Studios Artists, this was a quiet one; but that’s fine. Artists based at Kindred Studios are blessed with many creative opportunities and – as I always say – it’s the same job for me regardless of numbers.
Evenings have become lighter since my last visit so there was some discussion as to whether passers-by would see us through the windows. In truth, the only real change was that we could now see the passers-by! Only tops of heads bobbing past, though.
It doesn’t bother me whether I’m seen or not. If anybody stands on tip-toe and cranes their neck to look into a private art studio, they can hardly moan about what they find. These are strange days, however, so corporate entities err on the side of caution.
Me? I just get on with my work. Poses of various durations ranging from 2 minutes to 17 minutes are the kinds I favour. Not long enough to get too achy, but sufficient time for talented artists to do magical things. This was a pleasant, gentle session.
Pose minutes, 6pm-8pm
Part 1 : 2, 2, 2, 5, 6, 5, 5, 15, 13.
— break —
Part 2 : 15, 15, 17.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
Artwork by Graham Dexter.
In the rotation of standing or sitting or reclining for long poses at The Conservatoire, my instincts told me I was probably due a standing pose. When tutor Victoria Rance arrived saying she had an idea for a pose requiring exactly that, the die was cast.
My only concern before this session had been the ongoing pain of shin splints that I’d acquired when modelling two days before. It wouldn’t be an issue, however, as long as I avoided angling my feet by (for example) pointing my toes or pacing forward.
Victoria’s idea called for me to stand upright, head tilted forward gazing at a clay pot I would support with both hands, like an Ancient Greek citizen bearing the ashes of his fallen brother. No problem. I could do it flat-footed with my weight evenly-distributed.
As standard, I was offered stretch-breaks every 20 minutes. Usually I decline the first if I’m feeling comfortable. This time, however, I thought it best to take no chances. All available breaks were accepted.
The outcome was no exacerbation of existing injuries, no acquisition of fresh injuries, and splendid artworks created all around the room. Only my arms felt any aching; not due to holding the pot, but from their fixed angles. Few sessions are totally pain-free!
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-10pm
Part 1 : 1, 1, 1, 5, 10.
— break —
Part 2 : 90.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Victoria Rance.
Photo by Victoria Rance.
Artwork by Victoria Rance.
steve ritter 