Three weeks after my debut visit and two weeks since my second visit, I was back to sit for my third and final portrait modelling session with Ilford Art Society this year. Whereas my previous bookings were focused on specific areas (‘tone’ and ‘line’), this one was open for the artists to express themselves in any way they preferred.
For me the job was the same as before: sit still facing forwards in a single pose of my own choice in two parts, with a tea-break but no stretch-breaks. In this format without props, costumes or significant bodily self-expression, options for variation are limited. Still, I had a go: face slightly to the right, head tilted slightly up, lips slightly parted.
If the artists’ primary efforts are directed at capturing what is before them, rather than comparing it with what has gone previously, then possibly they wouldn’t have noticed such subtle tweaks at intervals of weeks. It doesn’t matter, though. It’s a happy group that enjoys its meetings and its practice… and I was happy to play my part for them.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Part 1 : 50.
— break —
Part 2 : 43 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
It’s not unknown that when I arrive at The Conservatoire the nature of my long pose for the evening is wholly undecided, and only resolved after some light brainstorming between me and tutor Victoria Rance. This evening, however, Victoria arrived with a clear vision in mind…
I was to recline with knees raised, head slightly propped forward, one forearm raised, the other arm down but slightly out from my torso. No problem, although it might be a tad full-on – like a birthing position – from certain vantage points. There was room for artists to move about and choose their perspective, however, so it wasn’t a concern.
Victoria did ask if the palm of my raised arm could be flexed back, facing the ceiling. I would have loved to oblige, but it would have been hard to maintain for 100 seconds, let alone 100 minutes. After warm-ups I got into position and remained there for a full hour, then had a break before resuming for a further 40 minutes to the end.
I was offered stretch-breaks every 20 minutes, as is standard, but for a pose like this, where no part of me is strained, I prefer to keep going for as long as I can rather than having the rigmarole of repeatedly getting back into the precise same position. Plus it works out better for the artists. As these excellent drawings demonstrate…
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-10pm
Part 1 : 1, 1, 1, 5, 10, 60.
— break —
Part 2 : 40 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Victoria Rance – warm-up pose.
Artwork by Victoria Rance.
Artwork by Victoria Rance.
Tanner Street life drawing is dead. Long live London Bridge life drawing! Following the permanent closure of its much-used venue at 47/49 Tanner Street, the group has found a new base 500m west, near London Bridge station, in the community room of Simla House on Weston Street (entrance on Dunsterville Way).
With any change of setting, the primary concern for a life model is probably: will I still be kept warm? On this chilly, damp, miserable, mid-autumn evening, the answer was ‘yes’. Also, the space is well-lit and has ample seating for artists around all four walls, plus tea-making facilities for the group’s use in a connecting room. All boxes ticked.
Notwithstanding a pizza delivery rider who mistakenly knocked at the door just as we were starting, the main area is private; we remained undisturbed throughout. Beyond that, much is the same: poses in the round, pose lengths largely unchanged, Cliff still our genial host, familiar faces among the artists. Long may it thrive. 🙂
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 2, 2, 5, 5, 10, 10, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 25, 25
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Cliff Barden.
Artwork by Cliff Barden.
Artwork by Clive.
Artwork by Cliff Barden.
Artwork by Clive.
Artwork by Cliff Barden.
Artwork by Cliff Barden.
Artwork by Clive.
“We’ve known @steveritterlife probably over a decade…” said @themoonandnude Instagram promo – one of the nicest ever written about me, actually – for this event. Indeed they have. In fact we’ve known each other for more then twelve years and it’s still a pleasure to return every time there’s a chance to model at one of their events.
The promo also noted I am “…never ever late…“, which felt like an open invitation for fate to select this occasion to throw all manner of obstacles in the way of my journey. Erring on the side of caution, I set out half an hour earlier than would otherwise have been necessary. And duly I maintained my good record, at a leisurely pace.
Setting to work with a nostalgic head and a warm heart, I progressed through a fairly spontaneous sequence of poses that felt suitable for slightly lop-sided oval of artists. The only premeditated posture was the 5-minute pose, for which I recreated my very first pose at my very first Moon and Nude session. All those years ago… 🙂
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20.
— break —
Part 2 : 20, 20.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Alan Baines.
Artwork by mi_sketches_.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by mi_sketches_.
Artwork by Alan Baines.
Artwork by mi_sketches_.
Artwork by mi_sketches_.
This was my second of three sittings for portraits with Ilford Art Society. For me, the requirement was exactly as per last week: that is, sit facing the artists for a full hour, then take a fifteen-minute break, before returning to sit for a further forty-five minutes through to the end.
The principal difference between this session and last was that artists were invited to focus on ‘line’ rather than ‘tone’. This related not only to defining edges, but also how the thickness and use of lines can convey depth. Some gave it a fair go whilst others were happy simply to draw nice colourful pictures in whatever way they preferred.
To vary the challenge for myself, I attempted to maintain a smile on my face (the best place for one, I reckon) throughout the entire hour and three-quarters. If you’ve never tried this yourself, let me tell you it’s much trickier than you might imagine. Hopefully I succeeded without it turning (gurning) into a grimace! I think it was appreciated. 🙂
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Part 1 : 60.
— break —
Part 2 : 45 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by David Fallows.
Artwork by Jolanta.
Life drawing sessions are offered from Monday to Friday by Adrian Dutton’s groups at various venues each week. I’ve worked with Adrian for years and had modelled for all his current groups within the past year, some more than others, with the exception of his Friday long-pose group at the Garrett Centre in Bethnal Green.
Not only had I not posed for the Friday group in the past year, you’d have to go as far back as 22 July 2022 to find my last visit. And you’d have to go back even farther, all the way to 15 December 2016 for my last duo session at any of Adrian’s groups; due to an unplanned double-booking, however, that’s what this became.
It was a ‘duo’ session only insofar as two models occupied the same pose space. No interaction. I told fellow model Sandra I was happy to stand so maybe she would like to sit, thereby making different levels and shapes within the overall tableau. This was agreed and after three 5-minute warm-ups that’s how we proceeded.
For some reason my left arm decided to go numb for the last half-hour of the first half yet was perfectly fine throughout the second half in the same pose. All was well apart from that. Nice to have a pretty full turnout of artists, including several familiar friendly faces. And it was nice, after a three-year wait, to have that Friday feeling again.
Pose minutes, 7pm-9pm
Part 1 : 5, 5, 5, 55.
— break —
Part 2 : 30 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Leah.
Artwork by Ned.
Artwork by Tim Revell.
Artwork by Helen.
Artwork by Charles O.
I’ve modelled for artists in a range of places over the years – museums and galleries, colleges and studios, community halls and shopping malls, clubs and pubs, even in a cemetery – but this was my first time inside a supermarket. Yet why not, when Tesco Extra in Goodmayes offers a Community Space free of charge to local groups?
Finding a suitable venue ideally at no or low cost is for many art groups their greatest challenge. The Tesco Extra Community Space utilised by Ilford Art Society is roomy, with tables and chairs and facilities for making tea, and most importantly is separated from the main shopping area by a windowless wall with its own private door.
Arguably the only downside is its ceiling lights being very bright and too even; fine for enabling artists to see what they’re doing, not so good for creating definition, shadow, tone and contrast on the model. Mind you I’ve known this to be just as much an issue in prestigious art venues that come at a far higher price than Tesco.
Unperturbed, when I sat for this, the first of three tutored portrait sessions with the art society, they gamely decided to focus on tone for their drawings. Actually I was a little crestfallen; I’d worn my most dazzlingly colourful top, only to find everybody would be using charcoals! Ah well, next time. It was a lovely introduction to the group.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Part 1 : 60.
— break —
Part 2 : 45 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
steve ritter 