I had the interesting experience today of working on a project of my own for the first time with a professional model. Previously my only experience of working with a model has been as a participant in a life-drawing class, or doing informal portraits of my own family. For some time I have been aware that if I attempt to draw figures based solely on my imagination the result tends to be very stiff. Having some theoretical knowledge of human anatomy can ensure that general proportions are correct. That doesn’t help to provide convincing articulation or any sense of the expressiveness of the human figure. I have tried to use the articulated wooden mannequins that it is possible to buy in all art materials shops, but if anything the result tends to be worse rather than better.
Having in mind for the first time a project that centres on the relationship between two figures, I determined to do the job properly, so I recruited one of the models who works for the life-drawing class I attend. It was quite a challenge to make sure before we began just how the session should develop …. through a few quick warm-up sketches, to an initial pose which I decided was not delivering the composition I wanted, then on to a detailed version of the main design I had in mind. We finished off with a few “close-up” studies of hands, as these will be significant pointed of interest in the final product. I was impressed by the model’s professionalism, understanding what I was looking for and making helpful suggestions. Altogether it was a very rewarding experience.
Now the difficult bit begins! The completed design will include another figure, and I will have to integrate the two of them in a convincing relationship and to a commensurate scale. The other figure is of a child, and for that purpose I’ve assembled several photographs of my grandson, for which he posed under his Dad’s guidance using a description I had emailed to them. Because of the indirect nature of this part of the task I will need to make some adjustments of various kinds. It will certainly not be possible simply to copy one of the photos. Then there has to be a tree in the picture, which I hope to use to integrate the composition and to reinforce the emotional aspect of the whole. It promises to be quite a challenge. I’m looking forward to it, and already feeling the relief of having a clear focus for my work after a long period of drifting.