Drawing Naked Ladies
What an awesome look of concentration!
Last Wednesday evening I went to a life drawing class for the first time in over a decade. I was more excited than nervous, because after all, drawing naked ladies is like riding a bike, right? You don’t forget how.
I had plenty of art materials – still in their old tin biscuit box – and had only to buy paper, which I did on my way to the converted church in Armadale, several suburbs east of where I live. I arrived early, and was let in by the dancing instructor from the class next door.
It was early evening, but still light, though overcast with rain. Light filtered through the leadlight windows and filled the room, with its vaulting ceilings, with a serene ambience. What a lovely place to draw!
Two to five minute poses
As expected, we started with one and two minute poses; moved on to five and tens; and ended with three longer 20 minute poses. From the first moment I put conté to paper, I was thinking: “angles! Look for the angles!” That was what my first life-drawing lecturer had said to me in my first year of art school: look for the shapes and angles the body makes, and that will guide your proportions. It really works.
I found myself from time to time drawing what I thought should be there rather than what really was before me – I had to remind myself to look objectively. Hands are less of a challenge now than when I was 18, but foreshortened feet can still put me on my mettle.
By the end of the three-hour class I was still excited and quite pleased with the results. My hand/eye co-ordination was still there! Work and weather foiled my plans to return tonight, but I’ll be back next week.
A crowd of easels
The church annexe is filled with a lovely ambient light
A picturesque setting for a life model
The first sheet … ha! those feet!
Nude: front and centre
Thanks to Adolpho for taking the pics of me.