St Pancras Church House, London, 21 March 2024

Fourteen weeks on from my last visit, I was back at St Pancras Church House near Euston Station for another life drawing class run by London Drawing. With founding tutor Anne away in Valencia, I had the pleasure of modelling for a class led by Dolph van Eden. I’d met Dolph once before, but this was our first time working together.

With an arc of artists standing at easels, and an inner arc sitting with drawing boards, we began with a 10-minute warm-up pose followed by three 5-minute poses. Dolph’s tuition in the early stages was primarily tips on observation and measurement, but as the session progressed, so he focused more on anatomical detail.

If I have anything as a model, it’s anatomy! So I selected poses that I hoped might be most complementary to Dolph’s style. I sat for 15 minutes, then stood for 20 minutes. Dolph adjusted the lighting and – a first in my experience – used a laser pen to direct attention onto specific detail within my overall form. I found it absolutely fascinating.

After a tea break, we finished the evening with one pose of 30 minutes. As a spotlight was directed at me from the left I subtly adjusted my seated position so my raised left hand shielded my eyes. I was contorted but comfortable, and still very much attentive to Dolph’s insights. Such a refreshing change from counting minutes! Time raced by.