Arts Theatre, London, 28 February 2023

February ended with me back in the hot seat at Arts Theatre for the third of my three bookings with City Academy. After ‘Painting the Figure‘ six days before, and ‘Portrait Drawing‘ four days ago, I was now to be the subject for ‘Portrait Painting‘. First, some quick warm-up sketches: blind contour, harsh shadows, soft light.

Thereafter the session would be devoted to a single study. I raided the arts cupboard for cushions and a velvet sheet to my transform my hard plastic chair into a throne of utmost comfort. Tutor Jenny Boat put on a playlist of ’80s Classics’ – the very notion of which made me feel every decade of my age – and thus we proceeded.

Despite being offered regular opportunities to stretch, I felt settled and comfortable in my space so I remained in situ for the full 90 minutes of this pose. Occasional private musings helped pass the time but mostly I enjoyed listening to Jenny’s guidance and the music of my teenage years. Little did I know back then what I’d be doing now…