An enjoyable Saturday afternoon and early evening engaging with art and artists. For the afternoon, I ventured to West Norwood Library and Picturehouse to check-out the Interrelation exhibition of works by artist, fellow life model and friend, L.E.Smith. It’s on till 19 September and free to enter – recommended if you’re within reach.
Staying in south London, from there I went to Surrey Quays for a spot of modelling at The Art of Isolation. Run by ever-inspiring artist Rod Kitson, it’s one of my favourite places to pose. It isn’t simply a handy venue appropriated for two hours of weekly art; this space has the real-world energy of community, curiosity and constant creativity.
On a pleasant midsummer’s day it was perhaps understandable that we didn’t have a huge turn-out of artists, but still enough to align as a single arc on chairs or at easels. Nice people, talented people; a pleasure to pose for. Some short poses, then the first 20 minutes of a long pose, followed by 40 minutes more after tea and biscuits. 👍
Pose minutes, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Part 1 : 5, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2 (movement), 8, 15, 20.
— break —
Part 2 : 40 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Helen.
Artwork by Elin.
Artwork by Helen.
Artwork by Sophia.
Artwork by Elin.
Demo by Rod Kitson.
Artwork by Sophia.
Artwork by Helen.
Artwork by Elin.
Artwork by Elin.
Any life drawing group based in a pub would usually expect to be cancelling sessions if their venue couldn’t open for any reason – urgent repairs, refurbishments, whatever. Fair play then, to The Victoria Stakes in Muswell Hill for letting The Moon and Nude continue its Monday meet-ups even whilst its doors were closed to customers.
Fair play too, to the regular life drawing artists for maintaining their commitment even without drinks to steady their hands! For me, of course, it was by-the-by. Whether the bar is bustling or bare, whether artists are drinking or dry, I’ll remain motionless in the middle; a life model letting life meander, simply and always happy to be here.
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 Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by Alison Gardiner.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by Alison Gardiner.
Artwork by Alan Baines.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
Artwork by Alison Gardiner.
Artwork by Alan Baines.
Artwork by Rosalind Freeborn.
‘attRAct‘ is a year-long series of free, artist-led creative workshops run by the Royal Academy of Arts for people aged 15 to 19. The 2025 attRAct cohort gathered for its first session in late January and has continued experiencing diverse artistic practices throughout subsequent months.
In February this included a ‘Drop-in and Draw’ workshop led by London Drawing, at which four male models formed a tableau inspired by works of Renaissance masters. No fewer than 285 young people attended that one. Fast-forward to July, this time for an all-day session with London Drawing offering intensive life drawing tuition.
It being a Saturday daytime commitment in the middle of summer, 10am to 4pm, with more emphasis on focus than fun, participant numbers were closer to 40. Within this, however, was a core that genuinely wanted to learn. Anne Noble-Partridge and Josie Deighton of London Drawing were there to teach; Lidia and I were there to pose.
Our venue was the huge Benjamin West Lecture Theatre, which first opened in 2018. As attendees could be as young as 15 years-old, models had to remain in underwear. It seemed highly unlikely that any young people present would be phased by the idea of nude figures in an art room, so I guess this was just a sop for tabloids and trolls.
We opened with a flurry of quick poses and thereafter probably averaged around the 8-minute mark for each study, interspersed with demonstration poses of 2-3 minutes. Anne, meanwhile, covered basic observation, measuring with a stick, foreshortening, continuous line, using the weaker hand or both hands, negative space, and so on.
Having initiated an exercise, Anne and Josie would then walk along the rows of seats to offer one-on-one guidance, advice, feedback and encouragement. The variety and pace of activities plus breaks were such that I never felt time was dragging. Hopefully our students thought likewise. We ended with a 20-minute pose for freestyle drawing.
So many positives in this day. Aside from the cachet of a prestige venue, there was a chance to catch-up with Lidia – it had been years! – and to witness Anne and Josie in full flight. Best, however, was getting a feeling of both artistic and human appreciation from the young people themselves. A talented bunch; I wish them bright futures. 🙂
Pose space
Royal Academy of Arts – Benjamin West Lecture Theatre.
Demonstration drawings
Demos by Anne Noble-Partridge.
Observation – on the right: what not to do.
Measurements for foreshortening.
Continuous line, back and forth across the figure.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Team selfie
Left to right: Josie, Lidia, me and Anne. 🙂
Even before I arrived for this London Drawing session at Waterloo Action Centre, my torso muscles felt tender. After the previous evening’s exertions, for animators at Framestore, I’d begun my day with a morning yoga class that concentrated on back bends. Then a few hours later came this; I was starting to feel my age.
But one learns to compensate. In life modelling as in yoga, the wisest approach is to follow each pose with a counterpose. It helps to restore balance within the body and, most importantly, avoids continually straining the muscles in the same direction. So I prioritised this consideration when deciding my poses.
Of course, in an opening hour comprised entirely of short poses in a room that fizzes with the energy of 30+ artists, one inevitably gets carried away and makes a few bad choices, but in the main it felt great; no damage done. After the break, two 20-minute seated poses – a bit twisty, naturally – slowed the pace nicely. Full-ish recovery.
Pose minutes, 6:30pm-8:30pm
Part 1 : 10, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
— break —
Part 2 : 20, 20.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Andrea Voisey.
Artwork by askii.
Artwork by askii.
Artwork by askii.
After a four-week break from modelling, I’m back into a seven-day period that’s set to include at least two full-day bookings and three evening bookings. This started with a session run by the animators of Framestore at their Cosy Life Drawing group.
It’s highly energetic work, with two hours of drawing time featuring twenty-four poses, of which sixteen are just 1-minute or 2-minutes in duration. This means proportionally more time is spent in tensed dynamic postures rather than relaxed passive ones.
You might think such effort would keep me warm, especially in mid-July. Well, it does, but with the venue’s cold air conditioning apparently stuck in overdrive the organisers brought out a couple of heaters for me. My very own climate change microcosm.
Overall this session was a great way to resume after time away. Lots of variety to get my pose brain back up to speed, a nice glass of wine at the half-time interval, and so many staggeringly good drawings – from so few minutes – revealed at the end.
Pose minutes, 6:30pm-9pm
Part 1 : 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 2.
— break —
Part 2 : 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 15, 15, 15.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Here’s a joyous reminiscence from way back. Exactly seven years ago today, Esther and I journeyed to Coldrum Long Barrow in Kent to be photographed by Anastasia Trahanas for her ‘Naked Britain‘ project. We were accompanied by Tara Fleur, who both supported Anastasia and enriched our day further with her presence.
Anastasia began Naked Britain in 2005, as “…an anthropological project that takes a look at ‘the self’ as a raw individual and their response to society. The representation of ‘the self’ is portrayed with an element of exposing their identity. It is not only about being naked in a physical sense (without clothing) but metaphorically as well.”
Anastasia’s photographs “…are portraits that collaborate between the photographer and the sitters, where there is no static formality in the positioning of the subject. The subjects select their location, whether it is a private, public or intimate space.” Words can then be provided by each subject to accompany their image.
Esther and I selected Coldrum Long Barrow for our location as we’d been building an affinity for ancient megaliths. During the previous 15 months we’d visited sites across the Channel Islands and the Republic of Island, and yet here was a magnificent place so very close to home that we’d never seen.
Over the course of two late-afternoon hours, Anastasia photographed us naked, both as individuals and together, at the upper burial chamber, the fallen stones below, and even at a nearby rag tree. Occasionally we were stumbled-upon by passing walkers, but we didn’t mind and neither did they. We were peaceful; as one with nature.
It was a serene and beautiful experience – both the open-air photoshoot, and sharing the joy with Anastasia and Tara. Only later did a challenge arise, in the form of having to decide which photos were best for the project. Esther and I eventually suggested a shortlist of our favourites, from which Anastasia made the final choices.
The photographs below are not official Naked Britain photos, but rather informal shots that Tara and I took around the site during our happy afternoon.
Coldrum Long Barrow: the site
Coldrum Long Barrow stone burial chamber
Fallen sarsen stones below the burial chamber
Esther at the rag tree
Naked Britain: photographer and subjects
Tara photographing Anastasia photographing Esther
Anastasia photographing Esther
Anastasia photographing me
Esther and me on the rocks
Post-shoot: me, Anastasia and Esther
It was ideal weather for a World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR). This year, 2025, was set to be the fifteenth time I would take part in WNBR London. I made sure my panniers were loaded with essentials: a bicycle repair kit, a tyre pump, a camera and a whistle. Most importantly, I left plenty of room for my soon-to-be stripped-off clothes.
World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR)
WNBR is a worldwide campaign that demonstrates the vulnerability of cyclists and protests against car culture. Its linked objectives are to:
- protest against the global dependency on oil
- curb car culture
- obtain real rights for cyclists
- demonstrate the vulnerability of cyclists on city streets
- celebrate body freedom
There was a choice of eight locations where the ride would start before converging to become a single mass. In the early years I started at Hyde Park (the only option back then). Subsequently I had a run of starting from Tower Hill. More recently I have been varying my start points, trying out Croydon and Regents Park.
For several years I’d had it mind to join the Deptford start. Deptford was first added to the list of meeting points in 2019. When it disappeared as an option in 2024 I thought I’d missed my chance. But, no! Deptford was restored for 2025, so Deptford would be where I undressed, saddled-up and, for the fifteenth time, hit the capital’s streets.
Deptford to Tower Bridge
To get to the start, I took the London Overground (Windrush line) to New Cross, from where it takes less than 10 minutes walking or cycling to reach Piehouse Co-op in an access road off Edward Street. I knew I’d found the right place as naked people were already there – about 40 in total. We set off at 2pm, initially on mundane city streets.
🚲 … Edward Street
🚲 … Wotton Road
🚲 … Clyde Street
🚲 … Staunton Street
🚲 … Abinger Grove
🚲 … Evelyn Street
🚲 … Bestwood Street
🚲 … Bush Road
🚲 … Rotherhithe New Road
🚲 … Rotherhithe Old Road
🚲 … Lower Road
🚲 … Jamaica Road
🚲 … Tooley Street
2:00pm off Edward Street: in our access road, soon to start…
2:01pm onto Edward Street: …and away we go
2:04pm onto Staunton Street: rejoining the roads
2:12pm on Evelyn Street: left turn to Bestwood Street
2:13pm on Bush Road: left turn to Rotherhithe New Road
2:15pm on Rotherhithe Old Road: Surrey Quays station on our right
2:22pm on Jamaica Road: yep, this is perfectly legal
Tower Bridge to Trinity Square
The naked bike ride route from Deptford is basically the same as that from Tower Hill but with an extra 45 minutes preceding through southeast London. The extraordinary stand-out moment, making this an essential way to begin the ride, is cycling in all our glory across Tower Bridge and past the Tower of London to join the Tower Hill group.
🚲 … Tower Bridge Road
🚲 … Tower Bridge
🚲 … Tower Bridge Approach
🚲 … Tower Hill
🚲 … Trinity Square Gardens
🚲 … Trinity Square
2:32pm on Tower Bridge Road: about to cross
2:34pm on Tower Bridge: a very satisfying moment
2:36pm on Tower Bridge Road: passing the Tower of London
2:38pm on Tower Bridge Approach: yay! WNBR London’s best bridge yet!
2:40pm on Tower Hill: about to join the Tower Hill riders
2:45pm on Trinity Square: lining-up at the Tower Hill start…
Trinity Square to Embankment
We reached Trinity Square – where Tower Hill starters depart – with perfect timing. In less than 5 minutes we were underway for a second time. Whilst on a brief loop back to south London, at least one passing traveller (of many) with pony-and-trap whipped some of our cyclists. 😡 I missed the incident, but it has been reported to the police.
🚲 … Byward Street
🚲 … Lower Thames Street
🚲 … Upper Thames Street
🚲 … Queen Street Place
🚲 … Southwark Bridge
🚲 … Southwark Bridge Road
🚲 … Southwark Street
🚲 … Blackfriars Road
🚲 … Blackfriars Bridge
2:47pm on Byward Street: …and away we go, Tower Hill-style
2:53pm on Upper Thames Street: window selfie!
2:57pm on Upper Thames Street: left turn to Southwark Bridge
3:02pm on Southwark Street: right turn to Blackfriars Bridge
3:04pm on Southwark Street: a traveller brandishes his whip – © ..Moth..
3:05pm on Blackfriars Bridge: meanwhile, at the north end
3:07pm on Blackfriars Bridge: waiting to turn left – © David P
Embankment to Forum Magnum Square
Back on the north side of the Thames, after the usual slow process of decanting from Blackfriars Bridge we commenced the long ride along Victoria Embankment. This leg fell into slight disarray as umpteen riders dismounted for selfies in front of the London Eye. Eventually we crossed Westminster Bridge to reach Forum Magnum Square.
🚲 … Embankment
🚲 … Westminster Bridge
🚲 … Westminster Bridge Road
🚲 … York Road
3:14pm on Embankment: down the Blackfriars Bridge slip road
3:26pm on Embankment: with the London Eye selfie brigade
3:29pm on Embankment: spot the red head-band – © Ben
3:30pm on Embankment: bearing (baring?) down on Parliament
3:32pm on Westminster Bridge: a rat-run of photographers
3:34pm on Westminster Bridge Road: left turn to York Road
Forum Magnum Square
Since the advent of multiple start points, Forum Magnum Square has been where the tributary rides converge before resuming as one huge river of nakedness. A little over half an hour passed between my arrival and the mass departure. Apparently Croydon riders set-off 30 minutes later than planned, which I guess contributed to our wait.
🚲 … Forum Magnum Square
3:35pm on York Road: entering Forum Magnum Square
3:52pm at Forum Magnum Square: annual catch-up with my mate Natansky
3:56pm at Forum Magnum Square: Thomas & Muse filming again
4:07pm at Forum Magnum Square: getting ready to resume
4:12pm on York Road: marshalling us out of the square
Forum Magnum Square to Lincoln’s Inn Fields
As usual we returned north via Waterloo Bridge. Whilst on the bridge, sheer numbers of buses squeezed us almost to single file. Traffic lights at Strand then clipped us into small groups, some of which didn’t know where to go next. Enough riders missed our Chancery Lane turn that by the time I reached Carey Street, I was utterly alone…
🚲 … York Road
🚲 … Waterloo Bridge
🚲 … Lancaster Place
🚲 … Strand
🚲 … Aldwych
🚲 … Strand
🚲 … Fleet Street
🚲 … Chancery Lane
🚲 … Carey Street
🚲 … Serle Street
🚲 … Lincoln’s Inn Fields
4:19pm on Waterloo Bridge: hey, it’s me! – © Chris Hutchinson
4:26pm on Lancaster Place: squeezed by buses
4:27pm on Aldwych: starting to thin out…
4:30pm on Strand: …getting thinner at the Royal Courts of Justice…
4:32pm on Carey Street: …till finally I was alone
4:33pm on Carey Street: ahh, the welcome sight of a marshal…
4:35pm at Lincoln’s Inn Fields: …and others who’d made it this far
Lincoln’s Inn Fields to Trafalgar Square
The gathering of riders at Lincoln’s Inn Fields – our second official stop – looked a lot smaller than the crowd at Forum Magnum Square. Even so, within five minutes of my arrival the call came for us to set off again. There was a long pause before we turned onto Sardinia Street, but from there we were steady to Trafalgar Square and beyond.
🚲 … Lincoln’s Inn Fields
🚲 … Sardinia Street
🚲 … Kingsway
🚲 … Aldwych
🚲 … Strand
🚲 … Trafalgar Square
4:39pm at Lincoln’s Inn Fields: soon on the move again
4:53pm on Kingsway: Bush House on Aldwych ahead
4:56pm on Strand: right turn from Aldwych
5:01pm on Strand: naked bike riders regrouped
5:02pm on Strand: Nelson’s Column in view
5:02pm on Trafalgar Square: tailgating a bubble machine
Trafalgar Square to Wellington Arch
Alas, at this point just quarter of an hour remained of our ride, but it was time enough for four more iconic moments: pedalling majestically up The Mall; a naked fly-past for Buckingham Palace; the serene dappled light of our home straight along Constitution Hill; and crossing the finish line beneath Wellington Arch. Euphoria and exhaustion.
🚲 … Cockspur Street
🚲 … Pall Mall
🚲 … Marlborough Road
🚲 … The Mall
🚲 … Constitution Hill
🚲 … Wellington Arch
5:05pm on Pall Mall: flags on Pall Mall
5:11pm on Pall Mall: left turn to Marlborough Road
5:13pm on The Mall: more flags on The Mall
5:14pm on Constitution Hill: God Save the WNBR
5:15pm on Constitution Hill: the home straight
5:18pm on Constitution Hill: the finishing line
5:20pm at Wellington Arch: done!
Epilogue
I was at large for a full three hours and twenty minutes; from 2pm to 5:20pm. For me, the highlights were my first naked jaunt across Tower Bridge, plus what was probably the perfect weather for a WNBR: warm with just a wisp of breeze and sufficient cloud to temper a burning sun. Lowlights? They seemed only to befall others. Lucky me. 🙂
Our route from Deptford to Wellington Arch
Bygone blogs
Previously on the London Naked Bike Ride:
- London Naked Bike Ride 2024 – A Few Tweaks
- London Naked Bike Ride 2023 – Short Circuit
- London Naked Bike Ride 2022 – Back in the Pack
- London Naked Bike Ride 2021 – Safety first
- London Naked Bike Ride 2019 – Back to Bare
- London Naked Bike Ride 2018 – Peaceful Protest
- London Naked Bike Ride 2017 – New Bridges
- London Naked Bike Ride 2016 – A Silver Lining
- London Naked Bike Ride 2015 – Feel Good Painted
- London Naked Bike Ride 2014 – A Fresh Start
- London Naked Bike Ride 2013 – Arch to Arch
- London Naked Bike Ride 2012 – Into the Light
- London Naked Bike Ride 2011 – Re-wrapped
- London Naked Bike Ride 2009 – First Time
steve ritter 