Life drawing at the Tobacco Factory

I attended my first two-hour life-drawing session at the Tobacco Factory, Ashton Gate, organised by Michelle Cioccoloni.  Straight after an 11½ hour shift, I wasn't sure I'd have enough energy to meet the challenge.  However, after a plate of mezze and carbs (not to mention a pint of milk stout) I was ready to have a go.

The room was reasonably small (got a trifle warm, which I guess was more comfortable for the nude model).  From what others said, the present group of around 10, is not representative of the larger attendance this session generally attracts.

The session was made up of six varied 10 minute poses dictated by a model, a break of quarter of an hour, then a 45 minute pose to round off the evening.

Here are the best sketches from my 10 minute studies.

Finally, the 45 minute study.

I enjoyed the challenge of the 10 minute studies, but was grateful for the long study at the end.

I used a HB pencil and a stubby graphite block on ordinary cartridge paper.

I look forward to doing this again, sometime.

Father's Day Card

I'm trying to keep a promise to myself not to buy cards, but make them :S It's Father's Day today and I've left it to the last minute. I decided that I'd make a card with a theme that means something to dad and to me. I sketched my old walking boots. Decades of reliability, a companion to the highs and lows of life - you can see where this is going... I drew the boots five times, trying different styles.

Next, I tried excruciating detail, but that was taking too long and where do you stop...?

  Abstract...

  I finally chose a cartoon-style, finished in watercolour.

Happy Father's Day, Pop! x