A busy week of life modelling (by my recent standards) ended with Sunday afternoon poses at home. Lucy McGeown of London Drawing Group contacted me two days earlier asking whether I would be free for a 1.5hr Zoom life drawing class. Plans for a weekend countryside walk were duly put back a couple of hours, and I accepted.
In my home studio room I fixed my phone camera to a large tripod and set my laptop on a small table adjacent. I would stand on a yoga mat, and kept a comfortable chair nearby for when seated poses were required. During the pre-session set-up meeting we selected my darkest backdrop for best contrast.
The theme was ‘cropping’, which meant that after five 2-minute warm-up poses, each subsequent 15-minute pose would be scrutinised by online artists with an intention of finding an area of the overall composition to ‘crop’ and draw. Lucy demonstrated how this could be facilitated using two L-shaped strips of paper.
Despite having become well practised and experienced at online life modelling, there will always be a detached peculiarity about posing naked and alone with no idea how many people are watching me, or who they are. The webinar format meant our video feed was one-way only, so I didn’t see any artworks. But I’m out there somewhere!
Pose minutes, 2pm-3:30pm
Part 1 : 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 15, 15, 15, 15, 12.
Six months on from my last time life modelling at The Art of Isolation, the long-pose slot has evolved. Whereas in April the session was comprised mostly of short poses with a 35-minute pose at the end, now ‘Long Pose Saturday’ starts with two 5-minute warm-ups before focusing entirely on a single 90-minute pose.
As the model, my main shift in preparation is from semi-spontaneously manifesting a diverse selection of interesting and sustainable poses appropriate for short durations of between 1 and 15 minutes, to instead imagining just one pose that has within it an equivalent store of latent energy and challenging perspectives for an hour and a half.
The question I usually ask myself is: do I take the easy option of settling down on the comfy armchair or do I treat the artists to what will probably be a rare standing pose? Happily on this occasion a compromise was available. By reversing the chair, I could perch upon its back and thus be almost upright whilst comfortably seated.
Every session at The Art of Isolation is enjoyable, and this one was no exception, but it was extra special for me as Esther was able to come and draw. It seems like years since either of us drew the other, and more than eight months since we last modelled together – though happily we now have two more duo bookings before 2024 ends. ❤
So it’s time I got active with art materials again and found somewhere to draw Esther. One of my retirement hopes is to discover whatever artist lies within me. It won’t be a great artist but I’m more interested in finding what feels like my own personal, natural style, free from external influences (insofar as that’s even possible).
Watch this space… but don’t hold your breath. 🙂
My next work with Esther will be video and sound-desk duties for her performance of ‘From the 7th Layer – a theatrical life drawing odyssey’ at Candid Arts on Saturday 16 November 2024. The show premiered in Berlin earlier this month so this is its first time in London. Join us to draw, or simply absorb the journey. See you there?
Pose minutes, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Part 1 : 5, 5, 45.
— break —
Part 2 : 40 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Rod Kitson.
Artwork by Pamela Frost.
Artwork by Daniele Uranio.
Artwork by Marios Rotsa.
Photo by Rod Kitson.
This booking for Tanner Street life drawing was my third in three successive days. The last time I’d modelled for three successive days was way back on 23, 24, and 25 February 2020. Within a month, we had the first UK COVID-19 Lockdown. It’s taken almost two and half years since the final lockdown for me to get back to this level.
Back when I had a full-time day-job I tried not to accept too many life model bookings on successive evenings as the resulting work/life balance simply wasn’t healthy. Now I’m liberated from those shackles, however, I can be more relaxed about having a full diary. In theory, that is. It still depends on me getting any offers. 🙂
In addition to work/life balance, I must also be mindful of the physical impact. Mine is the sort of body that lends itself aesthetically to stretching, twisting, angular postures. Whilst it might be lovely to get bookings that require only for me to sprawl across soft pillows and look ravishing, that’s not what – or who – I am. My poses tend to hurt!
So, although I hope to increase my life modelling activities over the coming months, I also intend to keep building-in recovery breaks. Tanner Street life drawing was a nice way to finish my back-to-back evenings; great people, great space, dynamic poses in the first half, tea and biscuits, then a relatively recuperative long-pose to finish.
There is a bonus for anyone who attends this group’s sessions up to the first week of December. You can immerse in soundscapes emanating from the Ugly Duck building next door, where ‘Eclipse’ by Nonotak is exploring “the power and impact of light on visual perception when combined with space and sound“. Intensely atmospheric.
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 2, 2, 5, 5, 10, 10, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 54
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Jacqui Hamer.
Artwork by Alice Fordyce.
Artwork by William Fricker.
Artwork by Rod Kitson.
Artwork by Rod Kitson.
Artwork by William Fricker.
Artwork by Jacqui Hamer.
On Tuesday, The Bath House in Hackney Wick became the twelfth venue at which I have modelled for Adrian Dutton’s groups. And what a truly brilliant venue! Possibly my favourite since his glory days at Eastbourne House in Bethnal Green (2013-17).
The building still houses a working community sauna, but is so much more besides. Life drawing takes place in the main hall, which is huge and thus a challenge to keep heated, but one can overlook a few chills in exchange for the advantages.
Many positives are common to all Adrian’s groups by virtue of his gentle, unflustered warm-spirited manner of engaging with everyone present. Here, however, I was also feeling lots of warmth from the artists, both individually and as a community.
There was good number of people drawing; perhaps 28, give or take. I always say it doesn’t matter to me whether 1 or 100 artists are present as I’ll always give as much as I can. Nonetheless, after a run of posing for small gatherings I really needed this.
It’s a strange how much of a difference being in a positive environment can make. I’d arrived feeling physically out of sorts after the previous evening’s long pose, but right from the outset a subtle energy lifted me here. I was almost gliding into poses.
Another bonus was recognising friendly faces from other London groups. Many were artists who I know understand my style and respond superbly to the inspiration. They elevate me simply by being themselves and through their love of creativity.
Clearly I wasn’t the only one who enjoyed this evening. I was left flabbergasted when Adrian told me how much had been given in tips – a big thank-you for such kindness! Great session, great people, great artworks. It was a pleasure to participate.
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 5, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 5, 10, 15, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 5, 15, 20
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Gail Reid.
Artwork by Gail Reid.
Artwork by Mark Doherty.
Artwork by Mark Doherty.
Artwork by Alex Potts.
Artwork by Mark Doherty.
Artwork by Rufus Gerrard-Wright.
Artwork by Alex Potts.
We had a full house of 12 artists at easels this week for Monday evening life drawing at The Conservatoire in Blackheath. As usual, we began with five dynamic warm-up poses ranging from 1 minute to 10 minutes.
Our remaining two hours would be occupied by one single long pose. For inspiration, tutor Victoria Rance scanned through the artworks I’ve shared on this blog, and was drawn to a seated pose from last month at Tottenham Art Classes.
The Tottenham version only had to be held for 10-15 minutes, so a few modifications were required to make it sustainable over a greater duration. We prepared the space and I held my shape for an initial 45 minutes before taking a 15-minute break.
Upon resuming we had great difficulty recreating the pose to everybody’s satisfaction based on their drawings up to that point. Note to self: when commencing a long pose with complex positioning, make sure a reference photo is taken at the outset!
To avoid a repeat of the same difficulties I decided to remain in position for the full 50 minutes to our finish. It wasn’t too challenging for the first 30 minutes of each half but thereafter it was all about managing fiery muscle pain down both sides of my back.
As reward for my perseverance, the session was brought to its end 5 minutes earlier than usual, which meant I was able to catch the earlier of my two possible Cinderella trains home – but still with time to appreciate the artists’ splendid creations.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-10pm
Part 1 : 1, 1, 1, 5, 10.
— break —
Part 2 : 45, (15-minute rest), 50 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Second 1-minute pose.
Rise and shine for life modelling with Croydon Life Drawing Group from 9:30am on this cold Saturday morning. Mercifully, group organiser Francis Wardale had already switched on room heaters, situated high upon the walls of our pose space. Even so, I took the precaution of also switching on a portable fan heater, nearby on the floor.
The first hour was for short poses that ranged in length from 5 minutes to 15 minutes. Next, after a tea break we would have a single long pose of about an hour and a half. After half an hour, artists wearing jumpers and cardigans started complaining: “it’s so stuffy in here…”
The complaint was repeated at the interval, and they were right, it was stuffy, but also it was 10°C outside. I would have happily said some heaters could be turned off, but I thought it was a shame no-one voiced any consideration for their nude model. Before the restart, wall heaters were sacrificed; I was fine to go on with just the fan heater.
Tellingly, during the long-pose I noticed one artist put her jumper back on. My comfort was sufficient, however, not only to need no temperature tweaks, but also not even to need a brief stretch until 70 minutes had elapsed. Ultimately, I left on a happy high as the extraordinary portrait below was given to me as a gift. Now that’s heart-warming.
Pose minutes, 9:30am-12:30pm
Part 1 : 5, 5, 10, 10, 10, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 93 with a 1-minute break on 70 minutes.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
When I was last at Fairkytes Arts Centre, in April 2023, it was to model as a couple with Esther. Subsequently, as LeNu Life Drawing has grown in size, so booking two models has become the norm; not posing together but rather one on short poses and the other in a separate smaller room on long-pose duty.
This evening I was providing the long pose. Given the choice of short or long, I doubt any model would favour the long option, but I was in a relaxed mood and happy to be returning here, so I merrily went along with whatever was requested. Not least of all I wanted to keep life simple for the group’s organiser, my good friend Natansky.
As always seems to be the way, previous long pose models had either sat or reclined so I was asked if I would mind standing. I’d seen it coming – it usually does – so gave my consent. I got into position at 7:30pm and remained there for 45-50 minutes. After tea and biscuits at breaktime, I resumed for a further 45-50 minutes to the end.
I’d stood naked with one arm raised. Six artists were with me at the outset: one left at half-time as she wanted to draw the short poses too; another threw his drawing in the bin as soon as he’d finished, saying he always does; a third was fixated on struggling with my feet (a size 7 and a 12, he reckoned); and the other three all made portraits.
Such can be the fickle inspirational dynamic between model and artists. Ironically the long-pose models who’d sat or reclined were painted full-figure, whereas I stood and got mainly portraits. The lesson: before starting, perhaps ask the artists not how they would like me to pose, but what they would like to create. Then maybe I can sit too!
Of the artwork photos below, the first three were taken during the half-time break and the last four were taken at the end of the session.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Part 1 : 45-50.
— break —
Part 2 : 45-50 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Helen Joyce.
Artwork by Suzanne Pye.
steve ritter 