Topolski Studio, London, 5 June 2024

Another new venue for Adrian Dutton’s groups! Well, new for me. In fact weekly life drawing started here back on 8 November 2023 and has continued each Wednesday since but this was my first booking. I shan’t try to describe it – go to Topolski Studio for details – except to ask: where better to model than a characterful artist’s studio?

Whilst Adrian continues to hold the reins at his other Wednesday venue – the Garrett Centre in Bethnal Green – he may be sure that ever-reliable art tutor, Mark Lovelace will run a steady ship under the arches of Hungerford Bridge, near Waterloo station. Our first-half pose times were 15, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 5, 5, 10 and 15 minutes.

Artwork by Helen.

Artwork by Helen.

Artwork by Helen.

After a break we ended with two 20-minute poses. My left arm went completely numb as it supported me in a seated position. Mark asked if I could extend the pose for two more minutes, and I agreed; the arm couldn’t get any more dead! For a final standing pose I had to hold the lifeless left arm with my life modelling right. Life oozed back.

Artwork by Helen.

Artwork by Helen.

It’s a testament to the rise in popularity of life drawing that these sessions are so well attended while artists numbers for long-running London Drawing sessions in nearby Waterloo Action Centre at exactly the same time remain undiminished. Both groups seemed full to capacity on recent visits. It’s not competition, it’s meeting demand.