Artizan Street Library and Community Centre, London, 16 November 2024

19 Nov 2024

On Saturday I modelled for an all-day London Drawing skills workshop, focusing on ‘Heads, Hands and Feet‘. Tutor Rachel Mercer led the session, in which artists were invited to: “Tackle all your problem areas in drawing from the body…”

With 13 artists in attendance, Rachel first explained the anatomy of each body part in exquisite detail, then demonstrated techniques for drawing them. Theory done, it was time for some practical work, beginning with feet and repeating for hands and head.

My role was to sit in the centre of the space, back-to-back with fellow life model Mike, separated by a partition whilst artists and easels encircling us. We remained dressed other than to remove shoes and socks when required.

Feet were set unevenly at a sixty degree angle, one slightly forward. For hands I had my left hand palm up and fingers loosely curled; right hand similar but palm down. To finish, the head-pose was a standard portrait study.

I suspect few of us regard our feet as our most beauteous features, but the artists did what they could with mine. Perhaps surprisingly, it seemed everybody’s best artworks were the drawings of hands. Portraits… were definitely me! It was fun.

Aside from portrait-only sessions, this is surely the least dynamic form of modelling. I became literally less than the sum of my parts. That said, between poses I had some engaging conversations as a whole person, not just detached objectified extremities.

This was my first time at the Artizan Street Library and Community Centre venue. Hopefully not the last. And hopefully not the last time working with Rachel either, but with a baby on the way, my feet won’t be her priority. 🙂 Very best wishes, Rachel!