The Conservatoire, Blackheath, 8 July 2024

Life modelling is always a more comfortable experience in the warm summer months of long light days with fewer clothes to shed. And where better to appreciate this than The Conservatoire in Blackheath beneath the glass roof of its Victorian art building? ‘Warm-up’ poses, for those still in need of warming-up, were: 1, 1, 1, 5, 10 minutes.

A single long pose would occupy our remaining two hours. Tutor Victoria Rance had suggested we look to the sculptures of Auguste Rodin for inspiration, so we scrolled through images of his works and were drawn to the strong standing stance of a portly gentleman with arms folded. I was to be Balzac, étude de nu C, grand modèle.

Stretch breaks were offered every 20 minutes but I prefer to continue in pose as long as the cumulative little pains remain tolerable. I stood from 8pm to 8:30pm, then took time-out till 8:45pm, resumed for a further half-hour till 9:15pm, had a 10-minute rest, and completed the session in pose for a final 30 minutes up to 9:55pm.

My back was a bit creaky by the end, but otherwise all was good: a nice atmosphere, pleasing artworks, and it’s always great to work with Victoria. Most serendipitous was the inspiration. I’d only recently finished reading the wonderful Cousin Bette by none other than Honoré de Balzac himself. It was my honneur to stand as him here. 🙂