The Clapton Hart, London, 25 September 2024

8 Oct 2024

Exciting times in north London! The ever-excellent Hackney-based Drawing the Star life drawing group on Tuesday evenings now has a Wednesday sibling in Clapton, at The Clapton Hart pub. The first Clapton Drawing session was on 4 September with multi-talented Stephanie Osztreicher modelling. I had the honour 3 weeks later.

As per Tuesdays, these sessions are led by exceptional artist, art tutor, facilitator and organiser, Catherine Hall. And like all the best experienced people, Catherine knows when you have a winning formula, you stick with. An abundant supply of art materials is available for artists, and reassuringly familiar pose times are called for models.

The focus is on quickfire dynamic poses: 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 3 minutes, 2 minutes, three of 1 minute, three of 30 seconds, then two of 10 minutes taking us to our break, after which we end with three more poses of 10 minutes each. So far, so similar. The big difference, of course, is this setting.

The pose space lacks the intimacy of sessions at The Star by Hackney Downs, but what a luxurious abundance of room there is for artists! And tables too, for those who like a broad flat surface upon which to work. Arguably best of all: a large skylight that will undoubtedly come into its own during the summer months.

As is frequently the case for new life drawing venues, the first few weeks range from being insanely busy to unexpectedly quiet, then rammed again, then less so. In time numbers will stabilise, hopefully to the comfortable and sustainable level required for another creative success story. All the ingredients are right here.

Artwork by Catherine Hall.