One of my drawings tonight was left handed.
Not to make things easy, Frank asked me to draw a thirty minute pose left-handed tonight.
I think in an attempt to stop me slowing down too much in the longer poses. When you only have five minutes to draw the human body, your lines instinctively become loose and fluid. The trick is maintaining this line when time is more a luxury & you want to hone in more on the detail.
Tonight’s model comes from a dance background, and she has a fantastic face for portraiture. She reminded me so much of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. If we get her again, I think I’ll use one of the poses to focus on her face and it’s striking features.
A note on the models. At art school I was used to drawing the same two people week after week and in all fairness to them, their poses were pretty similar; sitting down reading, sitting down falling asleep, sitting down getting cramp.
So credit to Frank and all the models we have had to date in our class here in Walthamstow. Not only have their poses been varied and challenging but their ability to hold a pose is very much appreciated.
Our model tonight was called Manuella.
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.
Matt Richards not only excellent draftsman but also a very good writer thank you Matt. My greatest appreciation. N
Thanks for putting on such a great class Nadiya!
Hey Matt. Great blog about the life classes! Nice work too as usual.