Missed a few classes this summer. Now settling in for a regular fortnightly class at the Hastings Contemporary Gallery, in Hastings – obviously.
Still, life drawing
After a break (had an operation) I’ve started life classes again. The classes are at the Hastings Contemporary Gallery, in Hastings obviously. Brilliant models and tutors and an informed, talented and supportive group of students. Here are a few of my efforts from the last couple of sessions – all A2.
…and from my little sketchbook- It’s Abba night on the lawns outside the De la Warr. Some mature ‘dancing queens’.
April 2026 Life Class
Saturday life class at Hastings Contemporary Gallery
Last life class this year
Apart from the feet, which are in pencil, they are all pen and wash. I like the one on the left. I might copy a couple into my iPad and play with Procreate, which would extend the analogue / digital theme from the last post.
Saturday’s life class
A Weekend’s Drawings
I had two life classes this weekend, one live, one online (from the Royal Drawing School). I like the two ‘warm up’ (two minute) drawings the best.
Using iPad
I don’t often use an iPad in these life classes, but I felt a need for precision today and didn’t have a sharp pencil. Also wanted to look at hands. This is using ‘Procreate‘ which I enjoy using for drawing.
Life classes
I’m enjoying regular life classes at Hastings Contemporary. Really excellent tutors, who keep me way out of my comfort zone. Must work on hands, or sausages, as I like to call them.
Thursday Drawing Group
Working from a musician absorbed in playing. I did this on my iPod with Procreate. I hadn’t used that programme for years but another member of the group was using it and had a really appealing and sensitive line. I’m really enjoying it. It is great to use with an apple pencil. Below is a stop frame video of the drawing being made – really love Procreate.
Drawing in company
I joined a drawing group in a back room of the Horse and Groom in St Leonard’s. Just people who want to draw and organised by Teressa. Loved it.
This was all quite liberating and I’ve done another 10 drawings since then. Mostly out and about with a fountain pen and some finished later with Procreate on the iPad.
That’s the last Thursday of the month sorted.
Hockney again
I’ve just been grazing through a book of David Hockney’s drawings from the late 1960’s early 1970’s. They were shockingly familiar because I had bought the first Hockney book – a significant expense and my first major art book purchase. What was strange was how looking back on these old 1970’s drawings of Mo, Celia, Ossie, Peter I recalled how, as a young student, I saw them as being older and part of a golden generation. This book was small and the reproductions modest. But for a second I was once again an awed young man looking at the art of the new. I was surprised that these simple drawings still held that fresh appeal for me after 55 years.
Cold drawing
Really cold but this is a very interesting beach with all sorts of debris and trees that have fallen from the cliffs. (Note to self) Must come here in the summer with a larger sketchbook and charcoal.