Something wasn’t quite working for me tonight, but sometimes that is the way it is.
My compositions kept running off the page, incomplete sketches I had to rush to get to Tokaska’s gallery on time, the charcoal felt too soft, and yes, a bad workman always blames his tools.
We actually all chatted about it, and there doesn’t seem to be a set formula – sometimes the music helps, other times a particular mood effects your drawing – maybe in this case, it was the coffee and biscuits during break that solved the problem? Who knows, but whether it works or not, changing something may get you out of the rut you find yourself in.
Maybe it was just an off day and just like in life, you just have to go with the flow. I moved position for the final drawing and something seemed to click a bit better. Frank sympathetically pointed out, even if it isn’t working for you, at least enjoy the mess you are making.
Our model tonight was called Ivor.
Giving me guidance, my class tutor is Frank Gambino, trained as a graphic designer, however in recent years his main practise is in portraiture and figure studies. Frank’s studio is in Belsize Park, London, where he works on commissions and runs popular life drawing classes. However, conveniently for me, he is also running classes in East London, at the Tokarska Gallery.
The Tokarska Gallery, a contemporary art gallery run by emerging artist Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska.