Croydon Life Drawing Group sessions begin at 9:30am on Saturdays. Back when I worked full-time, Monday to Friday from 8am, I didn’t especially relish the prospect of setting an early alarm at the weekend as well. Now I am retired, however, it’s actually quite pleasant to be out earlier from time to time… even in Croydon town centre.
I wasn’t the only one up early. We had a full-house of artists, all seats taken, which is great to see. The room was nicely warmed and I felt on pretty good form so I pushed my shorter poses so that, for example, a pose I would usually hold for 3 minutes was instead held for 5; a typical 5 was stretched to 10, and so on.
After such exertions the reward is a ginger biscuit, a mug of tea and the chance to sit for the remaining hour and a half. I sat upright rather than slouching, arranged angles in a way I hoped might be optimal for the full horseshoe of observers around me, and then simply allowed the minutes to tick by. Just one token stretch.
As always, it’s fascinating to meet and speak with artists; some familiar, some new to me. Shout out to Felix Gabriel who, in addition to figurative art, makes extraordinarily exquisite glass engravings. Check out his Instagram @felixgabriel76 – a perfect gift idea for Croydon Christmas shoppers?
Pose minutes, 9:30am-12:30pm
Part 1 : 5, 5, 10, 10, 15, 15.
— break —
Part 2 : 93 with a 1-minute break on 48 minutes.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Another four weeks have passed since my last life modelling job. Again, I’ve not been entirely idle as I’ve continued with a series of all-day sittings for an oil painting portrait in the classical style. There has been some idleness, however: on a 10-night break to Essaouira in Morocco, which felt like a hideaway at the edge of the world.
I was booked to model for Walthamstow Lifedrawing in February, but had to cancel as my father died the day before the session was due. It was just one of several hard situations I had to work through from October to March – my ‘endurance’ period. April was, mercifully, a ‘stabilising’ month when nothing got any worse.
During the period from May to August I’ve been ‘rebuilding’. Then suddenly it seemed at the beginning of last month (September) almost all remaining issues got ‘resolved’. After one of the most challenging years of my life I felt I could finally reset and restart. Naively, in mid-September I even made a feel-good list of all adversities overcome…
Naturally, my twelvemonth wasn’t going to have a fairytale ending. In the last 10 days of September I received a hat-trick of stomach punches. Yet I remind myself I’m lucky to have had – and continue to have – many blessings absent from the lives of people who are suffering around world. It’s just my privileged restart will now look different.
If anyone ever reads this stuff, I know it won’t make much sense without a whole load more detail, which I’m afraid won’t be forthcoming. It is simply a self-indulgent spot of reflection; a folded corner on a page of my diary. Merely know this: it was lovely to be back with Walthamstow Lifedrawing again. Me, only me, being me.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:15pm
Part 1 : 5, 5, 5, 5, 10, 15, 20.
— break —
Part 2 : 30.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Harriet Armstrong.
Artwork by Harriet Armstrong.
A strike by RMT union members meant there were no London Underground services for four days from Monday 8 September to Thursday 11 September. As a result, I lost two modelling jobs: an all-day portrait booking was cancelled as I could no longer get there; an evening life drawing session was cancelled as the artists couldn’t get there.
At least my Monday evening booking with Croydon Art Society went ahead. Society members either walk or drive to the venue and, whilst it’s a long journey for me, I was able to replace the tube part with extra walking and more use of mainline trains. Most important for me was not to fail the group if at all possible.
The bookings I’d lost were important but with artists who could reschedule. A booking with Croydon Art Society, however, is a limited opportunity as their practice covers all forms of study, not just figurative. It means a lot to me, being invited annually to pose either for portrait or life drawing. I would hate having no option but to let them down.
This session was life drawing. We began with four 5-minute warm-up poses ahead of the long pose that would occupy the remainder of the evening, with a break for cakes and refreshments. A couple of artists asked whether I would mind them taking photos of me in pose; I obliged willingly. I feel valued here. I’m happy to go the extra mile.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Part 1 : 5, 5, 5, 5, 40.
— break —
Part 2 : 35 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Mandy Gomm.
Artwork by Zoe Parker.
As this is the first session I’ve written about in three weeks, since 11 August, you’d be forgiven for thinking I’ve not modelled much this summer. In fact I’ve been sitting for a portrait oil painting undertaken in the classical style; 24.5 hours so far, with a lot more to come. I’ll write about that one when it’s ready for an exhibition in January 2026.
What I’ve missed, however, is dynamic short-pose work. This evening at The Star by Hackney Downs with Drawing the Star was my first such booking in a month. I was rusty but happy to be rusty as it meant I didn’t start out with my head full of over-used poses. I decided not to think exactly what shapes I would make till each was due.
Proceeding in this way has its risks, which I anticipated and duly found. The upside is when great original poses manifest spontaneously. The downside is inevitably getting into an occasional pain-endurance predicament. On balance one hopes for more ups than downs, and that’s probably what I got… just about.
The final pose was a hurty one, as were a couple of the 1-minute / 30-second poses, but I survived. At the end I dressed in a side room then rejoined organiser Catherine Hall and all the artists to admire their creativity. So much freedom of expression, with confident lines and colours in abundance. I love working here. Good to be back.
Pose minutes, 7:30pm-9pm
Part 1 : 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 0.5, 0.5, 0.5, 10, 10.
— break —
Part 2 : 10, 10, 10.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Artwork by Christian Moehring.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Vita.
Artwork by Esther Ninsiima.
Artwork by Ray.
Artwork by Christian Moehring.
Artwork by Vita.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Emi.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by MISHLA.
Artwork by Vita.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Vita.
Artwork by MISHLA.
Artwork by Esther Ninsiima.
Artwork by Joseph O’Connor.
Artwork by Emi.
Artwork by Christian Moehring.
Artwork by MISHLA.
Artwork by Lisa Martinson.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Annie Watts.
Artwork by Catherine Hall.
Artwork by Vita.
Artwork by Christian Moehring.
This session for Hesketh Hubbard Art Society at Mall Galleries was challenging. A long pose, 2 hours with a 15-minute interval in the middle. I had already committed to making it a standing pose but, for reasons unknown, on my way to the venue I began to experience dizziness and nausea.
Despite feeling unsteady and queasy I went through with the standing pose mainly to satisfy my own professional pride. I stood without a break for the first hour; at the end of which I slid down the wall behind me and sat for several minutes to recover. When, eventually, I could walk again I managed to get a cup of tea and a custard cream.
During the second half I took standing breaks at the 20-minute and 40-minute marks. No dramatic motions to ease my body though as whilst bending and shaking relieved the tension in my limbs, it also increased my nausea. Overhead spotlights pointing at my eyes and bare walls of dazzling white all around didn’t help either.
Surviving to the end was such a relief. Only about nine people were drawing me, and some of those left early, which sadly meant by the time I was able to stand and move again I had little chance to see the finished drawings. Still it was nice to catch-up with those who stayed longer. The things we do for art…
Pose minutes, 6pm-8:15pm
Part 1 : 60.
— break —
Part 2 : 60 continuation.
Artworks
With apologies to artists I’m unable to credit.
Work in-progress at the half-time interval – artist not known.
Artwork by Henry Gilbert.
Artwork by John Williams.
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.
steve ritter 