'Location, location, location,' is the estate agents motto. It's not a bad one for artists either. Draw where things are and you'll get what things are by default. A head (no matter how carefully drawn) that isn't seated correctly on the shoulders, for example, isn't a head but an absurdity. Then all you have to do is "keep it simple, stupid". That's another little phrase that's running through my head, like a mantra whenever I reach for my pencil. And when I put my pencil down and reach for my kneadable eraser instead, I use it to edit, not correct. This drawing started with a wedge of tone. I like to have something to work against rather than intimidating, pristine, white paper... on second thoughts, the drawing started with the model's superb pose.

Starting soon, I'll be running an evening Life-Drawing class at a venue in Frome town centre. Please send me an email if you're interested.


More life-drawing in the Gallery.

Even more on the blog: Journey Without Maps