Life Drawing Off The Telly

In May, TV channel BBC4 had a lockdown Life Drawing special. Thanks for that – what a great idea! It had a few different models with a variety of poses and varying lengths of time to draw them in. I liked the link to classic art pieces in their poses and the inclusion of some kind of clothing in some cases to give a theme. This is the kind of thing I want if I'm life drawing these days, to inform my own art a bit more. As this was taking place in the living room, I wasn't going to risk paints and pencil and charcoal (firmly staying in my hand) were the main tools here. It's great to see more arty programmes the last few years – particularly Sky Arts' Portrait Artist of the Year. 

In between the human life drawing, I also had the privilege of a smaller life drawing opportunity in the form of a cat (later, also another), and so amongst my human drawings below are a few cats. 

The usual 'I'm really out of practice!!!' start with a bit of a duffer. This wasn't helped by not realising the camera was going to turn away from the pose just as I started, and then a frantic working out how to access the red button on the new remote control. So unfortunately the initial short poses were missed – aside from the scribble above. 

Screwed up the arm and just couldn't pull it back. I'll be honest about it with the blackened scribble.

Messed up proportions, but what a great pose with instrument!

When I remember what self-admiring Greek myth art piece this is based off is, will edit. 

Pose choice based off 'Liberty Leading The People' by Eugene Delacroix.

So I certainly felt out of practice with it, but nevertheless found it fun to do. Fortunately we have the earlier non-lockdown programme recorded, as well. (The way the show is edited, it is much better to do it 'live' – too late! – but I reasoned I can just pause the TV when it goes to the model and still draw for the length of time they suggest.) I will be able to do some more again soon.