Naked Workout!

Weight

Had our first draw together in quite a while and have found a new theme to explore - body building! Well not quite. Naked Two is keen on the gym and likes to use weights. Exercise does show the body off so we tried a couple of poses and I'm pleased with this result. The drawing has to be quick as it's not easy to hold such a pose for very long. But the combination of strength and beauty is very appealing. I like the idea of using modern weights as this makes it a very contemporary image as well.

Assembly House Art Show

The Chair - £599

I'm just off to deliver this painting, which was selected for the August exhibition in the Assembly House in Norwich. The curator didn't like the way I "depicted" women in my paintings but was happy for me to submit male nudes. I've spent a bit of money to have this one well framed as the show should get a big audience. I like the sense of something old and classic in the colours and handling of the paint. Not sure what the pose is about, but it looks quiet and reflective and shows off the lovely curves of the male back. Check out the show at www.assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk/artshow

On the Beach

On Holkham beach

One of the reasons I love drawing nudes is that it allows me to experience the power of nature in our own bodies. To feel the instinctive responses that fire inside us when we appreciate the subtle designs of our own form. I enjoy getting in touch with Nature outdoors and feeling the sun and wind on my skin. The sensation makes me feel very alive and aware of my body. I've tried to convey this feeling in the watercolour, drawn from a photo that Naked Two took at Holkham beach after one of our classes at Wells. The body conveys strength and power, capable of running or swimming and looking as beautiful as any other wonder of Nature!

Quickies

Lacy knickers

I usually find that life drawing classes begin with quick sketches to help people warm up. I don't think this works. I find you need to begin with slow careful looking to get your eyes working fully before you can move on to quickies. If you try 5 minute drawings after you've been studying hard for an hour or so they will be much more successful. We'll be trying this out at our all day class in Wells this Saturday. I love the energetic, splashy feel of quickies like this one!

Posing Naked!

Self portrait

My accomplice is such a busy girl! So many hobbies and activities! I haven't drawn her for 16 days now and it will probably be another week before I get the chance. Like any art, drawing has to be practised as regularly as possible to maintain a level of proficiency. When I find myself without a model I have to turn to self portraits, which I do enjoy but it's a different experience. I've always found that beginners draw me much easier than female models. My body has many more reference points to help keep track of the drawing. I've also found that pictures of me seem to sell, those that I do and those of other artists. So while Naked Two is busy elsewhere, I'm going to be looking in the mirror, practising and creating some powerful male nudes...

Little sketchpads

Sitting in pearls

One of the students in my Wells life drawing class gave me a lovely little sketchpad of watercolour paper that she'd made herself. It was very nice of her and the hand-made pad looks great. I thought I'd better draw in it immediately before I got nervous of spoiling it! So that afternoon I did 3 quick sketches of Two and luckily they all came out ok. These little sketchpads are great when filled with drawings and shouldn't be pulled apart for individual framing. I hope to continue to fill it with splashy sketches. Thanks, Judith!

Cheating with Charcoal

String of Pearls

I love drawing with charcoal. It's so responsive and makes such a range of painterly marks. All you have to do is concentrate on what you're looking at and the charcoal practically does the drawing for you! I like to use a big, thick stick about 3cm long and draw with the whole length touching the paper. Two was a bit sleepy on Saturday but managed to put on a lovely string of pearls before she nodded off. I like the bit of story a little prop like this creates in the picture.