Village Community Hall, Tunbridge Wells, 12 April 2025 – part 1

18 Apr 2025

Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent is quite some distance outside my normal catchment area for life model work. Too far to justify travel for a standard 2-hour booking, unless making it part of a full day-out. When Tunbridge Wells Life Drawing group changed its format, however, to incorporate two sessions in a single day, it became viable.

The most decisive factor persuading me to take this job was the manner of invitation. I’d wavered at a one-session offer, but when the group’s organiser came back with a double offer, in a way that made me feel truly wanted and appreciated, I was in. This may make me seem sentimental, vain or needy but such things make a difference.

The morning was sunny and my two-and-a-half hour journey was smooth, so I was in good spirits before we’d even started. The first session would focus on poses of short and medium length; the second wholly-separate session would be focused mainly on one 90-minute pose. This blog post covers the first session.

We began with a 10-minute warm-up, after which poses ranged from 2 to 15 minutes taking us to our break. For these poses, artists were encouraged to try drawing in the pastel style of James McNeill Whistler. Famous Whistler witticisms were read aloud but I confess my own knowledge is limited to Monty Python’s Oscar Wilde sketch.

Many artists gamely embraced the Whistler challenge, while others found developing their own personal styles was challenge enough. I’d quickly learned that this is a very relaxed friendly group where any approach to making art is welcomed. I even happily consented to photography of me in pose – remember, artists: consent is essential!

After tea, biscuits and a nice mingle at break-time, we finished with a 35-minute pose that took us to 2pm. I made it a standing pose, which was appreciated as I was given to understand most models sit or lay down at this stage. I figured there would be time for sitting in the long-pose session due next. This had been an excellent opener.