Waterloo Action Centre, London, 3 April 2024

Packed! When Waterloo Action Centre fills to near-capacity with life drawing artists, each one silent yet focused and active, the place buzzes with energy that demands a creative response. It’s inspiring for the life model and hopefully all involved.

The scene could hardly have been more different when I arrived, a half-hour early so promo photos could be taken. At that point, me and just one artist were outnumbered by no fewer than three London Drawing tutors! But the balance soon shifted.

After our promo shoot, tutors Anne and Calvin went off to another venue, leaving the keen and engaging Rossen to lead this session. Artists were still arriving and settling into horseshoes of chairs and easels as the clock ticked past our 6:30pm start time

Rossen waited while latecomers – delayed only by weight of numbers – found places from which to draw but there comes a point where we have to get underway, even if a few are still setting-up. We began with one 10-minute pose and four 5-minute poses.

This was my first time working with Rossen but I felt he very quickly understood what my physique could offer. He asked whether the final 5-minute pose – upright, leaning forward with one foot on a chair – could go to 10 minutes, and I happily agreed.

A 20-minute seated pose took us to a break. It was a pity that the sounds of puttering nearby (essential) heater motors plus a resonance in the cavernous girder-supported space meant I couldn’t hear Rossen’s tips for artists as he worked the room.

After the interval, Rossen placed a folded trestle table flat upon the floor and covered its top with padding. This would be my platform for a 45-minute reclining pose, taking us to our finish. With limbs at various angles and elevations, I got comfy.

I hadn’t noticed Anne’s return but she joined us for the end of what was – as she said later in her Instagram post below – a super class. To cap a great evening, I was even given the drawing of me as fallen Icarus (above) as a gift. Thank you!