I often have to go figure as drawing and painting people needs a knowledge of the way the body works. Cyclists in particular are very keenly aware if a painting does not capture the right body shape. It’s also something I find very enjoyable. Attending a weekly life group ensures that I can observe the body in different poses. It doesn’t matter whether the model is male or female.

Looking at the muscle moving with the tendons over the bones, where do they settle when resting or active – go figure!! It’s a fascinating thing to do as the models are from all walks of life so have different muscle intensity, body tone and flexibility. The positions they are asked to strike are not always the easiest and Vicki has had a particularly tough three weeks. Balancing on an easel is not the most comfortable thing to do in bare everything!

Richard who runs the group has been very encouraging in suggesting different ways to add colour to the drawings that I have been making in charcoal. I tend to paint with acrylic paint with no medium added so it made a change to do some washes over the three weeks. 

The first picture with Vicki facing the viewer was completed with a lot of energy and spontanaity. Acrylic on 80 x 60 cm canvas. The second was in a different colour-way inspired by our conversations. Bright light and spring-like. Acrylic on a 40 x 60 cm canvas.

The third is reflective of a sadder evening as the group does not meet for a while. It was a dramatic moment when the whole canvas was made wet and then paint was scrubbed off with tissues. Afterwards a few glazes were applied and allowed to run. Rain or movement you choose? Maybe you see something else? So it will be sitting in cafes with a sketch book for a while ,until group restart, assuming the coffee drinkers will keep their clothes on though.