Fairkytes Arts Centre, London, 18 October 2016

“Are you the life drawing tutor?” I passed through the doorway at Fairkytes Art Centre and was immediately quizzed by a very portly gentleman of advancing years, who was loitering in the corridor. “No,” I said, “I’m the model.” “You run the group?” he tried once more. “No, I’m the model,” I repeated for the benefit of his reticent hearing aid. He held out a LeNu Life Drawing leaflet upon which was scrawled ‘Life Models Wanted’…

His contact details were on the back… written in the same handwriting.

London is awash with would-be life models. Those hoping to get started can try either auditioning through RAM (for a fee), or simply asking around local life drawing groups. The individuals who make it will be the ones who understand it is a profession of value based upon a contract of trust. Sending unsolicited nude pics, offering to work for free or behaving in other overtly dubious ways are all likely to ensure you won’t be booked.

My friend Natansky, who runs the group with her sister Estelle, took the gentleman’s details and said she would be in touch if an opportunity arose. Meanwhile, I would do my best to hold the fort for the next couple of hours. A large heater was provided, but the unpleasantness of its smell was greater than benefit of its warmth, so instead we put our faith in radiators and the body temperatures of our ten artists.

I began in a 5-minute crouch – a pose that I’ve used a lot lately – then cycled through 1, 2, 3 and 4-minute poses, before finishing the half with 10 and 20-minutes sitting on the floor. Votes were cast after the break and, rather than divide the remaining time in two, I ended with a single reclining pose of 45-minutes. Afterwards the enthusiasm of artists made me even more grateful to be one of Nat’s genuine ‘Life Models Wanted’.