One of the most pleasurable venues to life model over the past half-decade has been The Star by Hackney Downs. To help celebrate the fifth anniversary of Drawing the Star life drawing, organiser Catherine Hall invited me and Esther back once more to pose as a couple. We opened this special treat with 10-minute and 5-minute poses.
It was nice to get a goodly gathering of artists around us, including long-time regulars and welcome new faces. This group has a genuine community spirit – drink and draw as it should be – where the highly-proficient and complete novice can relax and enjoy their art side-by-side. Three poses of 2-minutes each came next.
For our second 2-minute pose, Esther stood while I sat on the floor holding her hands and her gaze. Star artist Giovanni Forlino immediately hailed it the cutest pose he’d ever seen, so as an antidote we wrestled for the final 2-minutes. With 22-minutes left till the break, Esther loomed above me as I stretched one hand up to her belly.
Drinks were taken, and then a vote was taken: should we wrap-up with one 30-minute pose, two of 15 minutes, three of 10 minutes, or a 20 and a 10? A show of hands was unambiguous in calling for two 15s. We started by reclining together, me leaning over and gently cradling Esther’s impeccably sprawled form.
With two models together as a couple, there is sure to be cuddling at some point. We saved ours till last. Cuddles must be deployed sparingly, otherwise all the poor artists get to draw is a succession of backs. Mindful of this, we sat holding each other tightly in an asymmetrical embrace.
I first modelled here on 23 April 2015, not long after the group began. This five-year anniversary special was my twenty-third visit as the model, while on other occasions I’ve come simply to draw and stay for a drink afterwards. Every time is a joy, and it is clear that many artists feel the same way. Bravo, Catherine, and thank you.
It seemed to take an age for the preceding class of young girls and their instructors to vacate Hayes Free Church hall so West Wickham Arts Association could move in. One can’t help feeling a bit self-conscious, waiting patiently amongst parents who are there to collect their daughters. I imagined them glaring contemptuously and ushering their offspring away in haste if they knew my purpose was to bare all. Not that there is anything shameful about the profession of a life model – but people do spook easily…
…or maybe I was just being paranoid; either way, I was glad when we got started. We were down on numbers from my last visit, but the setting-up of tables, chairs, easels, heaters and extension cables still takes time. Eventually with a horseshoe of artists in position around me, I opened with a 15-minute standing pose, followed by 30-minutes seated on the floor. Only the scratchy sounds of mark-making on paper and the warm hum of two highly effective heaters broke our silence.
With about ten minutes of the second pose remaining, two chaps broke ranks and set about making the half-time tea. It was a most welcome beverage. Whilst artists talked intently about the forthcoming Annual General Meeting, I partook of refreshments and admired their work. For the last 45-minute pose, I asked if they would prefer me to sit, stand or recline. The preference was sitting on the floor again, which suited me fine. It was a most comfortable end to a pleasant evening with an affable group.
Five identical poses, each one held for 1-minute then rotated 72° or thereabouts, and held again. Thus began ‘Printing from Life: Monotype and Life Drawing‘, organised by London Drawing Group at Lewisham Arthouse.
I’d posed for one of the group’s monotype sessions at this venue last autumn, loving its novelty; with the final act of creation coming after each pose, not during. As before, the session was expertly guided by Frances Stanfield.
I followed the single-minute rotation with a twisted upright pose of 10 minutes. Next, I sat with my right leg outstretched, my left foot on my right knee and hands behind my head for 20-minutes. Not quite the position of total relaxation it may have appeared.
For sitting, I had the choice of either a regular plastic chair or a tiny little six-inch high wooden stool. In the previous pose I’d used the latter to support my heels, but for the next 15 minutes I tried perching my backside upon it… and just about succeeded.
A brace of 8-minute poses took us to the session’s end: first standing, then squatting once more on the cute wee stool. As I found the last time I posed for monotype work, the most effective poses are those with strong outlines, shapes and negative space.
It’s fascinating to observe so many different styles emerge from this process; curious textures, scrapes and lines. My favourites were dark backgrounds with scratched out blocks or swirls or light. Lots of experimenting, lots of imagination, lots of fun.
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday, dear Dawn!
Happy birthday to you!
Participation in regular life drawing is not just about the models, instructors and artists or the skills of posing, seeing and mark-making; there’s also a spirit of community. No more so than at Adrian Dutton’s long-established London Life Drawing groups such as here at the Garrett Centre. During the break, when Adrian brought out a cake with candles for much-loved ever-present attendee, Dawn, everybody joined in singing.
An hour earlier I’d started the session with a 15-minute standing pose, during which a couple of late arrivals filled the last seats and made it another full house. We followed with five 1-minute poses, then poses of 5 minutes, 10 minutes and 20 minutes, taking us to the interval. I suspected the 20 minutes might have drifted closer to half an hour, but I was comfortable and quite happy laying down in front of two heaters.
In addition to Dawn’s cake, Adrian provided half-time victuals that ranged from dhal to jelly babies, from exotic teas to boxes of wine. After much consuming and conversing, we had time left for poses of 10, 15 and 20 minutes. I stood, sat and stood again until our 9:30pm finish. Generous applause and art-sharing followed, then slowly we faded away to our respective homes. Next week, the thriving community gathers again.
Posing nude for artists, one becomes accustomed to the sight of each person having their preferred painting and drawing materials set out beside them. How quirky it was at this session, therefore, to see everybody sat with a sticky bun! Such is life drawing when it takes place at a real bakery – Bread and Butler in Deptford.
This was only the second evening of Deptford Life Drawing at the Bakery. Horrible weather meant attendance was down from the grand opening, but every rain-soaked artist walked in with a smile. Organiser Tatiana Moressoni got us started with poses of 2 minutes, 2, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10 and 15-minutes up to an interval.
After refreshments – hot drinks or wine – and more buns, Tatiana offered the group a choice of either 15-minute and 30-minute poses or a 20 and 25, taking us to our 9pm finish. A lone call for 15 and 30 met with general murmurs of consent. I began seated upon a high stool, and ended laying down on the floor.
Notwithstanding a temperamental heater cable plus the torrential rain resuming when it was time to go home, this was a pleasant booking. There’s an abundance of space, sturdy tables for the artists, food, drink, music and smooth timing. I imagine it will feel particularly idyllic on warm summer evenings, but still I enjoyed my winter experience.
It’s a wonderful story: a grand red-brick library building more than a hundred years old but fallen out of use and into disrepair, now reopened and re-energised by community activists. The Exchange in Erith today is home to artist workshops for print-making, textiles, woodwork and ceramics, has its own bar, restaurant and gardens, and hosts a diverse programme of events – including life drawing. I was its first model.
Upon arriving early, I was welcomed by Peter, the group’s organiser and Colin, one of the resident artists. Colin gave me a full tour of the three-storey building, enabling me to appreciate the true passion being poured into its restoration. The life drawing room was a simple cosy space equipped with easels and nice touches like pot plants either side of the model’s chair. I started on the chair with what became a 45-minute pose.
I say “became” as it was originally supposed to be 15-20 minutes, but I was asked if I would mind extending it. I felt comfortable, so I didn’t mind at all. After a short interval, we went with a single 50-minute pose that took us through to the end. Apart from one of my arms going numb and two artists’ easels collapsing, it all went splendidly well. I was treated with genuine warmth – great place, great story, great people.
“Any exciting costumes always very well received…” was the hint given to Esther and me by Lisa – organiser of SketchPad Drawing – when she reconfirmed our booking. I’ve long since run out of original garments to take to The Prince Regent but Esther always comes good. And this time she’d brought enough for both of us…
Artwork by Shiv Grewal
Whilst I’ve never shied away from wearing unlikely outfits in the name of art, I admit I felt rather daft in that dress. I thought it was only to be for the opening 5-minute pose but I was implored to keep it on for a second of 5-10 minutes. With great relief, I then un-dressed and we wore nothing but feather boas for the next four 2-minute poses.
Artwork by artshivinder
Unusually for this venue, we were posing together in the round rather than working in separate adjacent rooms. A handful of artists had given notice they were struck down with the flu so wouldn’t be attending. It meant everyone could fit in a single room, and Esther and I could do our duo thing. We did so next for 15 minutes, still just in boas.
Artwork by artshivinder
And then at last we were completely nude; it was the first and would be the only time this evening. We sat upon the floor facing each other, as close as possible with arms and legs embracing, for fully 20 minutes. In the break that followed, we slipped away to take opportunistic promo photos for Esther’s forthcoming ‘Growing Roots‘ event.
Artwork by artshivinder
Artwork by jorisbaboris
When our artists returned to complete the session, we had time enough left for poses of 20 and 15 minutes. I remained nude, whilst Esther manifested magnificence in just about every other item she’d packed for the occasion. First we were on the floor, then Esther sat on a stool while I – not for the first time – languished beneath her stiletto.
Artwork by jorisbaboris
Artwork by artshivinder
Artwork by jorisbaboris
Artwork by artshivinder
In sessions like this, where we’re indulged and trusted to be playfully self-expressive, it’s particularly important to create strong poses that work for the whole room. We did our best and, whatever the artists may have thought of our shenanigans, their artistic response was superb throughout. I hope I’m right to think a good time was had by all.
steve ritter 