I've got to admit that I had a stressful start to the day. I caught the train to Newcastle in plenty of time, dug out my iPhone and started using Google Maps to guide me to my destination - the Premier Inn. After getting completely lost, I gave up, called the hotel and was guided back along the route I had just taken. The guide had taken me right to the doorstep, but then steered me a lot further on. If I had only looked up at one point - rather than at the screen - I wouldn't have walked right past it.
I still got there in time, though. I tend to be a bit paranoid about that, so I like to make sure I schedule enough spare time to accommodate for things like this.
There were eight girls in this group and so when I proposed the collage challenge (my new favourite) I just divided them into two groups of four, explained the rules - and then we were on our way. I was so keen to do this one again, that it was the first proper challenge and only the third pose of the class.
One of the groups decided to split the pose right down the middle - with two girls working on the left hand side of my body and two on the right. Then a hastily drawn head. I'm not sure, but I think the lack of the head was an oversight, like they'd forgotten it completely.
In the other group, one of the girls was positioned unfortunately and her key area was perhaps a bit more specific than she might have been happy with, but she rose to the challenge. She spent a lot of time drawing hair. I'm due to get waxed this week, sometime - I might have been able to save an entire stick of charcoal if I'd just had that done a few days early.
When the groups presented their collages, it was decided I would stand behind the relevant pieces of paper as a further bit of illustration. The group that had split my body right down the middle had a moment of indecision when it was discovered that both girls who had drawn my legs had been fully anatomically detailed. At first, the decision was to fold one piece of paper to conceal part of the drawing, but then it was decided to keep them intact so both penises were visible - and hold them up so they flanked the real one.
The winner of the "best picture" competition stood up and gave a brief speech - thanking her classmates and her model in true Oscar style. One of her early drawings had actually looked a lot like an Oscar, which made that even funnier. Well... funny to me... I like that sort of thing.
The girls have all promised to send pictures. So I'm hoping to illustrate this posting very soon.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Friday, 22 July 2011
Introducing Wee Jakey
I read about a drawing challenge last night, and it sounded like fun - so today, I really felt like I had to try it out. I divided the class into four groups of people - each group containing either three or four girls. I told each group that they were to work together and draw a full body. Each participant within each group had to agree to work on a specific body part, then at the end, they would put the pages together.
It was a great exercise and I'm definitely going to use it again. Once the pose was completed, I got each group to come up with their pages, put them together and see how well they all fitted. The first group used an extra sheet of paper - presumably in order to flatter me. Photos were taken of each creation. Once they were done, I set all the picture collages on the floor, then more pictures were taken of them all side-by-side with each other.
The competition at the end of the class was particularly difficult today. I selected my favourites, as usual, and tried to discard all barring just one or two of them - but this time there were four pictures remaining that I just couldn't choose between. I was all set for a prolonged applause-o-meter, but the girls shouted that down and chose the picture the bride had drawn. This was the head of her group's montage. It looked like one of those old Communist Propaganda posters and I thought it was beautiful.
One of the other pictures in the running was also the head of that particular collage - but this one had a slightly sardonic look to it. I really liked the smirk.
For today's group, it was only the bride who apparently didn't know what kind of event she had been signed up for. She seemed pleased, though. But she also said that someone had told her not to "draw the penis too big", which suggested that she might have had some idea of what to anticipate.
A new introduction to today's class was Wee Jakey. I saw a poseable artists' doll in an art shop while I was picking up fresh charcoal and chalks and had to buy it. A great addition to the classes, because the girls can use Jakey to suggest poses that they'd like to see. Sadly, the bride's suggestion - which looked very elegant - was impossible for me to even attempt. It looked like he was diving off a cliff - chest out, arms backward and (crucially) feet off the floor. I didn't even attempt it.
It was a great exercise and I'm definitely going to use it again. Once the pose was completed, I got each group to come up with their pages, put them together and see how well they all fitted. The first group used an extra sheet of paper - presumably in order to flatter me. Photos were taken of each creation. Once they were done, I set all the picture collages on the floor, then more pictures were taken of them all side-by-side with each other.
The competition at the end of the class was particularly difficult today. I selected my favourites, as usual, and tried to discard all barring just one or two of them - but this time there were four pictures remaining that I just couldn't choose between. I was all set for a prolonged applause-o-meter, but the girls shouted that down and chose the picture the bride had drawn. This was the head of her group's montage. It looked like one of those old Communist Propaganda posters and I thought it was beautiful.
One of the other pictures in the running was also the head of that particular collage - but this one had a slightly sardonic look to it. I really liked the smirk.
For today's group, it was only the bride who apparently didn't know what kind of event she had been signed up for. She seemed pleased, though. But she also said that someone had told her not to "draw the penis too big", which suggested that she might have had some idea of what to anticipate.
A new introduction to today's class was Wee Jakey. I saw a poseable artists' doll in an art shop while I was picking up fresh charcoal and chalks and had to buy it. A great addition to the classes, because the girls can use Jakey to suggest poses that they'd like to see. Sadly, the bride's suggestion - which looked very elegant - was impossible for me to even attempt. It looked like he was diving off a cliff - chest out, arms backward and (crucially) feet off the floor. I didn't even attempt it.
Sunday, 3 July 2011
Two models
The Standard has one minor problem. It's not the perfect shape for a large group of people gathered around one focal point. So when I was hired for a party consisting of thirty girls, there was just one thing to do - hire a second model. And so, for the first time, we had one art class and two models.
I arrived early and set up the venue around two focal points, then sat back and waited for Alison and Stuart to arrive. And Alison had the great idea of keeping the class "fresh" by switching models over at half time. My own plan had simply involved us setting up, adopting one of the spaces and letting the girls move around to suit themselves - if they preferred what the other group was doing, they could switch seats. Alison's idea was better, though.
She probably had to work hardest for this one. Flitting between the two groups and co-ordinating the poses - making sure everybody was happy - setting up fresh poses. But the event ended up being so much fun that I'm actually hoping to get another big class very soon. At the very least it means I can give Stuart more work.
It was a very lively and cheerful class. At the end, the extra model provided a fresh element for the bride - she got between us both for the group photograph. I really hope that the extra nudity involved provides an additional subversive edge to her souvenir pictures.
I arrived early and set up the venue around two focal points, then sat back and waited for Alison and Stuart to arrive. And Alison had the great idea of keeping the class "fresh" by switching models over at half time. My own plan had simply involved us setting up, adopting one of the spaces and letting the girls move around to suit themselves - if they preferred what the other group was doing, they could switch seats. Alison's idea was better, though.
She probably had to work hardest for this one. Flitting between the two groups and co-ordinating the poses - making sure everybody was happy - setting up fresh poses. But the event ended up being so much fun that I'm actually hoping to get another big class very soon. At the very least it means I can give Stuart more work.
It was a very lively and cheerful class. At the end, the extra model provided a fresh element for the bride - she got between us both for the group photograph. I really hope that the extra nudity involved provides an additional subversive edge to her souvenir pictures.
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Willy warmer
I was given a present today. One of the girls had brought along a knitted willy warmer for me. A little, rainbow-coloured thing that even had two little pouches for testicles and a couple of ties to secure it in place. I hate to brag, but there's absolutely no way I'll ever fit into it - but it's a great novelty souvenir of a fun class.
And I still really like The Standard. It's a great place and the staff are very friendly and accommodating. The barman is happy to bring drinks down to the girls and doesn't bat an eyelid at the fact that there's a naked man standing in the background while he does so.
Today, however, he upstaged me. One of the girls had asked if he was single, so when he came down with a tray of cocktails, I pointed her out to him. Next thing I knew, he was posing for pictures with some of the girls. If he ever wants to rethink his career choice, I'd be more than happy to offer him a job.
As usual, there were some great drawings and as usual, it was difficult to pick out a favourite. Even the pile of discarded drawings - those that get left behind at the end of every class - always seems to have some great pictures among them. I'm planning to get them all scanned, then bind them together into more books very soon.
But right now, I would like to put out my regular request for the girls of this group to email me photographs - it's always good to be able to illustrate these postings.
And I still really like The Standard. It's a great place and the staff are very friendly and accommodating. The barman is happy to bring drinks down to the girls and doesn't bat an eyelid at the fact that there's a naked man standing in the background while he does so.
Today, however, he upstaged me. One of the girls had asked if he was single, so when he came down with a tray of cocktails, I pointed her out to him. Next thing I knew, he was posing for pictures with some of the girls. If he ever wants to rethink his career choice, I'd be more than happy to offer him a job.
As usual, there were some great drawings and as usual, it was difficult to pick out a favourite. Even the pile of discarded drawings - those that get left behind at the end of every class - always seems to have some great pictures among them. I'm planning to get them all scanned, then bind them together into more books very soon.
But right now, I would like to put out my regular request for the girls of this group to email me photographs - it's always good to be able to illustrate these postings.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
A new Standard
And finally, the day comes round where Alison and I get our first class in the brand new venue - today we welcomed a class to the Standard on Howe Street. I got there early so that I could have time to arrange the tables and chairs to best effect and sectioned off a part of the room where the class could be held comfortably. Alison arrived shortly after that and we settled down to chill out and wait for the girls to turn up.
I always get a little nervous at this point. I start to worry about the things that could go wrong - the potential breakdowns in communication. Had I updated all the relevant people about the new venue or were the girls en route to the Beehive as we waited? I worried about the times as well and kept double-checking the emails to make sure I had that right as well. So, when the girls arrived as planned and nothing went wrong, there was the usual sigh of relief.
The first pose was a swine. The girls asked for a "star" pose - legs spread wide and arms in the air. Alison said it was a difficult pose, so we should make it a short one. I could feel the strain in my arms almost immediately, but was able to maintain it until Alison called time on it.
Later, Alison introduced the "question session" - something she had come up with a few classes back. We worked from right to left and the girls took turns asking questions. Someone asked what the weirdest pose was that I had ever been asked for and I thought about suggesting the "Brucey Bonus" one which is often put forward. I changed my mind, though - because I hate that pose too and didn't want to suggest it. I told them that the worst pose I'd ever had was the "star" pose.
Someone also asked where the weirdest place was that I'd ever modelled. I wasn't sure, so I looked to Alison and she reminded me of the first time we met - I had her guarding one of the doorways at Craigmillar Castle while I set up my camera to take some self-portraits for my art work. That's probably not the weirdest, but it was a good suggestion.
At the end, I picked out the best and worst pictures from the gallery. I couldn't make up my mind about the worst one though, so I narrowed it down to two, then held them up for the "applause-o-meter". Then got into a debate about whether loud applause meant one picture was better than the other - and so wasn't the worst. Started to confuse myself and gave up on that one when the girls all insisted that the worst was the one with the loudest applause.
Another fun class. A shame three people didn't show up. But there were enough drawings and enough photos taken to show off.
I always get a little nervous at this point. I start to worry about the things that could go wrong - the potential breakdowns in communication. Had I updated all the relevant people about the new venue or were the girls en route to the Beehive as we waited? I worried about the times as well and kept double-checking the emails to make sure I had that right as well. So, when the girls arrived as planned and nothing went wrong, there was the usual sigh of relief.
The first pose was a swine. The girls asked for a "star" pose - legs spread wide and arms in the air. Alison said it was a difficult pose, so we should make it a short one. I could feel the strain in my arms almost immediately, but was able to maintain it until Alison called time on it.
Later, Alison introduced the "question session" - something she had come up with a few classes back. We worked from right to left and the girls took turns asking questions. Someone asked what the weirdest pose was that I had ever been asked for and I thought about suggesting the "Brucey Bonus" one which is often put forward. I changed my mind, though - because I hate that pose too and didn't want to suggest it. I told them that the worst pose I'd ever had was the "star" pose.
Someone also asked where the weirdest place was that I'd ever modelled. I wasn't sure, so I looked to Alison and she reminded me of the first time we met - I had her guarding one of the doorways at Craigmillar Castle while I set up my camera to take some self-portraits for my art work. That's probably not the weirdest, but it was a good suggestion.
At the end, I picked out the best and worst pictures from the gallery. I couldn't make up my mind about the worst one though, so I narrowed it down to two, then held them up for the "applause-o-meter". Then got into a debate about whether loud applause meant one picture was better than the other - and so wasn't the worst. Started to confuse myself and gave up on that one when the girls all insisted that the worst was the one with the loudest applause.
Another fun class. A shame three people didn't show up. But there were enough drawings and enough photos taken to show off.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
