For almost 2 years now I have been running a life drawing class, on Thursday in the Homerton library. Not any more. I have decided to abandon the Thursday class.
Is this terrible news? HELL NO! Saturday is the new Thursday 😁
And there's more.
You know how, at the end of a drawing session, you just need more time? The two hours has vanished, in the blink of an eye, and you just need more time! But it is now 9 pm, you have to work in the morning. Everything is stacked against you.
Despite all the reasons you would happily continue drawing. Well, I relate 100% with that sentiment. I always want more time. When the two hours expire I am disappointed, it feels like I have just warmed up, and ready to go. Of course there are sessions that are a slog, one bad drawing after the next, and even on those occations, I would happily draw more.
My new Saturday class will run for two and a half hours.
It starts at noon and ends at 2:30pm, at the same venue in Hackney, the gorgeous Homerton library hall. I can't wait to start the new chapter!
I have modified the pose format so that we have more gesture drills, more short and medium poses and we concluded with a single 30 minute long pose.
This new format emerged from loads of chats with artists. I genuinely think this will be awesome 😎 I recently embarked on a journey to learn water colour, so selfishly that long pose is ideal for me. You're welcome 😁
I looked at other venues, in preparation for this change, but I do love the library. The great hall is just that. Its great. The room is massive and full of great energy. Almost every one who vists, comments on that. It's true.
Practically it makes sense too. I live very close by, and I have the luxury of leaving all the drawing stuff: props, lights, teas and furniture in a locked store room. I am astonishingly lazy, you see, so just that is reason enough.
What prompted this day change?
You may know this (or may not) I am a professional software engineer. I work for a large publishing corporation, that is how I spend my daylight. I am very lucky because, one, I actually love programming, and two, my employer lets us work from home, twice per week. Up until recently I could stay in Hackney on Thursday and get to the venue with very little fuss after work, and in time to setup the room, and buy refreshments along the way.
However the senior management changed the schedule. All staff must now attend team days, every Tuesday and Thursday. The office is in London bridge, and that makes running the class an absolute nightmare. This is way I decided to change, you see life drawing is an essential fixture in my life. It is my mental health routine. It is a non-negociable part of who I am.
Light, more light and air conditioning!
If you haven't drawn with us before, I'll drop some photos, but basically it boils down to this. Light, more light and air conditioning! I have a history of film and photo, and the venue gets prepared like a film set.
There are house lights, a key light and a fill light. That jargon means; you can see your page and colors naturally (house lights), there is a hard cast shadow statement (key light or spot light) and a soft glow thrown into the shadow side of the subject (fill light) that adds subtle detail of form, it "fills" the shadow side. Good lights are paramount to me. Actually I find other classes without good light, a bit disappointing. A well lit naked model dressed with a strong shadow is truly delightful to draw.
The second important feature of the class is the heating. The room is warm in winter and cool in summer. The hall has central heating and air conditioning, which means both model and artists are comfortable. And there is an electric blanket, for the model, just in case. What this also means, it that there are no fan heaters, no constant hum and buz, no white noise, no dangling wires and no heavy electric usage.
And lastly we have toys for the model to play with 😁 Assesories of self expression. From plump cushions to a large round joga mat. There is a replica sword, plastic pistol, a cluster of bamboo canes, a small step, huge square wood box and an elegant drafting stool that spirals up and down. In my class I only allow a single lying pose, because they are pretty boring to draw. Having various props and furniture to support the model is necessary. (And also good manners).
There are many life drawing classes in London, and most of them are run by individuals. People like me. I like to visit these small venues. I like seeing how the class runs, and its lovely to meet the different hosts.
What separates the small classes from the jugganauts?
The classes are smaller and more intimate, of course, but they are also passion projects. There is very little margin in running a life drawing event. There is a lot of effort, booking models, venue etc.
When I weigh it all up, it's hard work. I couldn't do this, without a deep love for people and community and (obviously) a love of drawing the human form in its most vulnerable and intimate state. Interestingly all the other hosts I chat to share this sentiment.
