The Beehive, London, 2 September 2014

After a lean late summer of little modelling, September brings with it a flurry of activity: bookings with several life drawing groups; some portrait modelling; two exciting group photo shoots; and a major performance installation – not to mention a week’s holiday in Menorca.

It began with my debut for Tottenham Art Classes on Tuesday at The Beehive pub. I had long liked the look of this group as one that is well organised and well attended, serious about its art yet welcoming of beginners. Now they were welcoming me too.

As always for a first-time booking at a new venue, I set off early and arrived with plenty of time to spare. The tell-tale signs guided me in…

Early arrival afforded me time to chat face-to-face at last with Taz, the group organiser, and Edward Wills, the fine artist there to manage my poses and offer tuition to those drawing me. Edward and I formed a quick rapport and understanding so he was happy for me to go freestyle within his time allocations.

We started with quick-fire poses of 3 minutes, 3, 2, 2, 1, 1, 30 seconds, 30 seconds. I had my back to a pillar, with the artists seated in a semi-circle around me. We set the first pose in the style of Saint Sebastian, with hands crossed up high (but no arrows!)

After the dynamic work, we settled down to two 20-minute poses. For the first I stood on one leg with my back to the pillar and an arm across my stomach.

For the second I was seated on the floor with one hand clutching a foot and the other out to one side.

After a break we concluded the session with a 45-minute pose that had me seated on a low bar stool, one leg extended, the other bent; one arm crooked on its hip, with the other across my body.

All in all I was well looked after and happy that the session seemed to go well for the artists. A positive debut – fingers-crossed I’ll be invited back!