The Carlton

I had a couple of "firsts" this weekend. My first repeated customer - one of the girls had seen me before when I did the class in Dundee. My first job at The Carlton in Aberdeen, which is a bar I hope to use again. My first job with Fiona - my Aberdeen tutor. And my first job where the class asked to take a break halfway through so they could get something to eat from a buffet. When I do a class, I tend to be very preoccupied with keeping the momentum going and making sure everybody has a good time, so I struggled a little bit with that last detail. I wasn't completely sure what I should be doing while everybody was eating - but it still seemed to go pretty well.

A couple of girls had arrived early to decorate the venue, so there were balloons everywhere and I used one of them as a prop early on. Fiona welcomed the girls when they arrived, while I took up hiding and waited for my cue. When I stepped into the room with the balloon (heart-shaped) strategically positioned, one of the girls actually screamed.

Recently, someone reminded me of a couple of drawing challenges that I haven't used in a long time, so they were resurrected for this class. I challenged everybody to draw a picture without looking at the page - and I can't believe I haven't been using that one in every single class. It's a real laugh; especially when the artists are keen to "not cheat" but still have the instinct to glance down at the page. Someone asked me if I was going to be "invigilating" and I was very embarrassed to admit that I couldn't actually remember what the word meant. I'm literate... I was familiar with the word... but right at that moment, I couldn't remember it at all.

When everybody paused for something to eat, I started to become conscious of the approaching deadline. We didn't have the venue for much longer and I wanted to cram in as much as possible so the girls could get the full value of the event. So I suggested that we move on to picking out the favourite picture and posing for some photographs once they'd finished eating. Then, after a quick check of the schedule I amended that to one more quick drawing challenge, then the favourites, then the photographs.

Finally, I got dressed and said "goodbye" to everyone. I don't like to break the continuity of an event by letting everybody see me with clothes on, because I always think it drags "real life" back in and destroys the illusion. Sometimes it's necessary, though. I made a couple of jokes about my appearance. I prefer to be naked, because then people don't see how scruffy I normally. Then, it was off to the bus station and back to sunny Edinburgh.

I used to live in Aberdeen, and it's days like this that make me want to live there again.

Aberfeldy

It wasn't easy to get to Aberfeldy - and it was even more difficult to get from Aberfeldy to the lodge where Saturday's first class was being held.  The taxi driver dropped us off a fair distance along the track, but Marta and I still had a bit of hiking to do after that - dragging the bag with the charcoal and sketchpads along with us.  But when we finally arrived, the views were spectacular.  It would be a nice place to live, although the walk home after a night at the pub would be a bit of an adventure.

There were two bunkhouses at Glassie Farm.  The one Marta and I attended had 25 girls on a hen night, and the neighbouring one had a stag night attending.  The guys were off whitewater rafting that day, but the girls made a couple of tantalising references to playing naked football in the early hours of that morning.  It was very intriguing, but they wouldn't give any more information than that, barring the occasional half-overheard snippet of conversation between them.  I really wanted to know more.

I think the group had a fair idea of what to anticipate.  There was an attempt to smuggle Marta and I inside, but there were windows overlooking the courtyard where the main door was, so that wasn't easy.  Then there was a brief conversation about whether I would be partially clothed or fully naked when I was introduced and it was decided to go straight for the nudity.  I got changed upstairs, then walked downstairs and waited outside the door while I waited for Marta's cue.

One of the poses - suggested by Marta - had me lying down on my back on the floor.  It was a tiled floor, though.  I actually gasped at the shock of it when my back touched the floor and it occurred to someone to suggest pillows and a duvet at that point, but I was already getting over the initial chill and didn't need them any more.

The only real challenge was the size of the room and the amount of girls filling it.  The chairs were spread out in a rough square formation while I stood in the middle of the room, so I made sure that I faced in all directions as the poses progressed.

I had got myself waxed on Thursday afternoon in preparation for this class, but - disappointingly - the waxer was still perfecting her technique and the results weren't brilliant.  Still a massive improvement on the ungroomed look, though.

Once the class concluded, Marta and I were kindly offered a lift back into town.  I thought about getting something to eat in Aberfeldy, but then suggested that we wait until we get to Kirkcaldy (ready for the next class) before we do that.  I just knew I'd be much more relaxed if we were actually in the neighbourhood of the second place and would enjoy the meal more.

Another fun group, though.  And the girls were all very welcoming and friendly.

Kirkcaldy

I've been warned about the girls in Kirkcaldy before now, but then... I've been warned about the girls in other towns as well.  I have noticed some trends.  Girls from Aberdeenshire and Dundee are both liable to cut loose a bit.  And this is what I anticipated from the girls in Kirkcaldy.  But this was, quite definitely, the rowdiest group of all.

When we got to the bar where the class was being held, I asked one of the bar staff to discreetly locate the event organiser and bring her through to us so that we could discuss the approach.  I asked if anyone was going to be surprised and set about making the arrangements.  Should I be partially dressed or fully nude?  The response was that I should just come out "with everything hanging free".  This was not going to be a class with shy girls involved.

When I first asked for suggestions for a pose, one girl immediately had a response.  Now, normally, when something rude is suggested, I'll know it's a joke - but this time, it had the feeling of a genuine request.  Practically a demand.

My favourite picture was very stylised and as soon as I can get it scanned, I'll post it here.  It was done during the "straight lines" challenge and I came out looking very punky and dynamic looking.  I was so impressed by it, that the girl who drew it gave it to me right away.  I was even more impressed by her later pictures, but didn't want to enthuse about those as well, because I was worried that it would seem like I was soliciting them from her.  So, I want to state here, that I loved all of her pictures.  Her use of the blue chalk really helped add to the overall look of the picture.

I really loved this group.  It was a bit of a challenge to stay in control, but it was a challenge I enjoyed a lot.  They really shook up the status quo and they seemed to really enjoy themselves a lot - and the buzz of it definitely had me on a bit of a high, afterwards.

When it was done, Marta and I went through to the bar and ordered a taxi.  While we were waiting for it to arrive, one of the girls came through and told us that they had all enjoyed themselves a lot.  Feedback like that - especially immediately after the class - felt great.

After that - taxi to the railway station and train back to Edinburgh.

Competition controversy

It was Friday the 13th...

At very short notice, my usual venue canceled on me this week, so I had to find somewhere else to hold a class on Friday night. Cue stress and panic - and great expense - but I finally managed to track down a suitable place.

Frustratingly, the providers of the new venue held me to the very minute of the one-hour time slot I asked for and so shortly after 6PM, I found myself waiting in the car park with Marta to be allowed to get in and get the room set up. Then the girls arrived. And finally, a little man arrived and unlocked the doors and let us all in.

I was fortunate in a lot of details. It was a pleasant evening, so we weren't huddle up against the cold or the rain. The girls were very pleasant and understanding. And they had all been informed about what to expect, so the fact that I met them in advance of the class didn't result in my giving away any surprises.

The class itself went smoothly. We actually got in and got settled about ten minutes before they were due to start, although a couple of interruptions meant the class itself didn't get underway until just after 7PM, which was when we were due to start. I warned everyone that at 8PM on the dot, the little man would probably be harrying us to finish up and leave, but I assured them that we would wind down at our leisure and would leave when we were ready to do so.

There was a competition among the group. One of the girls had promised that the best penis picture would win a cocktail after the class. This was great in theory, but she then went on to draw the absolute best picture I'd seen in a long time. I went through the usual routine - my favourite part of any class - of choosing a small selection of my absolute favourite pictures and setting them aside, then picking out my very favourite from that small selection. And there was no way I could pass up the brightly coloured, beautifully drawn, very happy looking picture - despite the fact that I couldn't help thinking she'd made me look a bit like Tony Blair.

The proposed winner protested. She couldn't be the winner. She couldn't buy herself a cocktail, apparently. So I compromised. I picked out my second favourite picture as well, and put the vote to the group. I held up both pictures and requested an applause-o-meter response from them. It was a close thing, but the group did back me up and she won the competition. So she and the runner-up settled on their own compromise and agreed to buy each other cocktails.

I asked for a copy of the picture. I suggested that perhaps it could be scanned and a copy of it emailed to me. She offered to take a photograph of it and email the photograph. At least that's what I thought she had suggested, but shortly afterward, once I'd got dressed, I realised that all the pictures had been left behind and that one was among them.

I was going to keep them aside, scan them all and then illustrate this posting with some of my favourites.  But a little while ago, I got an email from the bride with some photographs, so now I don't need to do that.  I should post the originals out to the girls if they like, though. It seems a shame that they left without any souvenirs.

At 8PM on the dot, an internal 'phone started ringing in the room.  Marta answered it a couple of times, but nobody ever spoke to her.  It seems that the little man was trying to give us a nudge and remind us that it was time to leave.  At around 8:20PM, I got dressed (something I almost never do while the group are still around, because I hate to break that continuity) and we packed everything away.  The girls left, then the little man came in - a lot less friendly than he was at the beginning of the evening - and we finally vacated the premises at around 8:30PM.

It's definitely not a venue I'll use again, but in the end it went pretty smoothly and we had fun.

Mr Spock again

On Wednesday, I did some modeling for a friend near Glasgow, so on Monday - in anticipation of this - I got waxed again.  This meant the thatch was looking good for today's class.  Now that I've started this regime, I want to maintain it.  Personal grooming gets a little more intimate when people see me naked all the time and I want to look my best.

There was no surprise this week.  The bride already knew what to anticipate, so the "hide-in-the-bathroom" intro was pretty redundant.  I spoke to the girl who hired me and we briefly discussed the best way to go, though.  We decided to go for the unveiling element, then while she went to fetch the rest of the group, I quickly got changed into my light trousers - the red ones this time.  Once everybody had arrived and was ready to start drawing, I stripped them off.

First pose was a Superman impression - always a difficult one to maintain.  We're not physically designed to hold an arm out for a prolonged period, so the strain quickly becomes too much.  Later, I was asked to do a "muscle-man" pose.  Now, I've got good abs, but my pecs and biceps aren't really much to show off, so I was a bit shy, but they promised to flatter me - and they did.  Nobody's ever drawn me so muscular before.

For the second time in as many weeks, I found a picture where I looked like Mr Spock.  Which leaves me wondering if I can introduce a new challenge.  Channel your favourite celebrity while drawing me and see if I can guess who I'm meant to be.  Think it'll work?  Worth a shot.

Ballater

A long day, but very rewarding.  A train from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, followed by a bus from Aberdeen to Ballater and a taxi from Ballater to Gairnshiel Lodge where the group was all set up and ready for me.  It's always enjoyable when a booking gets me out of town, though - a different environment keeps everything fresh and creative.

Gairnshiel Lodge is a beautiful place.  A Victorian hunting lodge with views of Glencairn and Ben Avon.  It was built in 1746, so I was left a little curious about any connections it might have with the aftermath of the Jacobite rising.  None of that mattered, though, when I was posed against a window with spectacular views of an amazing environment.  A lot of the girls took full advantage of that and included the scenery in their drawings.

I was asked to start out partially dressed for this class in case full nudity from the outset was a bit too shocking for some of the participants, so I took along a pair of pyjama style trousers that had been a present from a friend in America.  They really looked the part - black, with red, flaming hearts.  Colourful and extravagant - they seemed to go down well.  Two poses later, they came off and underneath them I was wearing tight boxers, but when that extra layer was revealed, there were some protests - so they came off, too.  The nudity was well received and we moved on to the next pose with renewed enthusiasm.

The only real disappointment with the day was the weather.  We had been assured of plenty of sunshine and if that had been delivered, the location was perfect for holding the class outside.  It was nicely remote, so little chance of anyone stumbling upon us unexpectedly.  But it was just a bit too drizzly for that, so we stayed inside the lodge.  That was a shame.  I haven't posed outside so far, and it would have been fun to do that for the first time in such a great location.

After the class, I got dressed and was given a glass of champagne, then was kindly taken back into Ballater - and then it was on to the long trip back to Edinburgh.  I got home at around 11PM.  Absolutely exhausted, but still buzzing from a fun class.

Giant inflatable penis

Alison and I met at the corner of the High Street, then walked down to Old Tolbooth Wyndham where our party was being held on Friday night.  I always like private venues.  There's a "sneaking about" element that's always a lot of fun.  There's always someone who needs to be surprised, so that person (or people) needs to be out of the way while the tutor and I are led inside.  This time it was just the one person - the bride - who didn't know what was happening.

We found the place pretty easily and we saw some girls hanging about outside, but didn't want to introduce ourselves in case the bride was among them.  We walked over to the far side of the courtyard and sat down on a wall, while I sent a text to let the event organiser know I was outside, but the girls recognised us and started tentatively calling out my name even as I was sending the text.  We were taken inside and led into the main room, then I was shown to a bedroom while Alison handed out the charcoal and sketchpads.  I stripped, then walked back into the room and waited for the bride to be led in.  So this time, the girls who were already in the room were asking questions before the class had even started, which was entertaining.  There was a bit of debate about how best to greet the bride and everyone eventually agreed I should be facing her as she walked in.  I told the girls about a previous event where I was asked to hold the bride's Care Bear - her favourite toy - in front of myself as she walked in.  I always like these extra creative elements in the classes.

I had bought new charcoal for this class, but it was a different type.  A dozen blocks of black charcoal and two dozen blocks of coloured chalks.  I wasn't sure how well they would work, so this was a bit of an experiment.  They went down really well... some of the drawings from this class were a lot more colourful than anything that had been produced before.  One of the girls drew a beautiful picture that I wanted to steal.  Very stylistic and 1960s, with flowers for my eyes.  I loved it.

When it came to the final pose, the bride was persuaded to leave the room and get changed into an inflatable penis costume that the girls had brought with them, then pose with me.  I got down on my knees and cuddled her.  It was one of the drawings from this pose was the one that won the usual competition.  It looked like I was cuddling a giant, slightly floppy penis.  I wanted to steal that picture, too.

Afterward, Alison and I went for a drink at the Royal Oak to round off a fun evening.