What to expect when you pose for a nude portrait — After practising life drawing for over forty years, I had long been frustrated that I had been unable to sell many of my drawings. Despite advertising my work, exhibiting in galleries and establishing an online presence, I had only ever sold a handful from my extensive back-catalogue of work. I…

Five life drawings on a theme — I hate props in a life drawing session. By ‘props’, I mean anything that is not a part of the body, and effectively distracts me or detracts from the pose. I have variously been afflicted by models wearing pieces of clothing, sunglasses or masks; models holding wine glasses, umbrellas or…

Five life drawings of one model — I’ve been umming and ahhing over including Elena in this series for a while now. The reason? After four years of intermittently drawing her I still don’t feel I’ve done her justice. The little I know about Elena is that she is German, elusive, erudite and intelligent, and is a…

Five life drawings of one model — Sarah came to us from the US, a research student at the time looking for a little extra income. She initially seemed shy and unsure but, as is often the case, quickly relaxed into the task, and became a regular member of the modelling cohort. The Print Workshop in Swansea…

Five life drawings of one model — Maud is an enigma to me. I have found it virtually impossible to capture her striking features in any way that I feel is successful. Classically beautiful, she has incredibly strong cheekbones, full lips and a strong jaw. Allied to pale eyebrows and lashes it makes for a frustrating experience…

You can’t beat a nice bit of boiled ham. Couple of cloves and a bay leaf in the water and it comes out just right. I like to roast it for fifteen minutes after, to get the outside nice and brown before I slice it. A few new potatoes, some…

Five life drawings of one model — Vilidian is the ‘Nom de Nude’ of a now internationally successful Spanish online model who, when I first drew her, lived in Mexico. Vilidian presents a slightly aloof persona in her sessions that hides a warm, generous nature. Her sessions are often themed, which is why I have drawn her…

Five life drawings of female models — With hundreds of drawings and paintings of nude women to choose from, it is quite a task to choose five I feel are worth including more than any of the others. They aren’t, of course, but I have to be selective, and find drawings that I have something to say…

Footsteps on the dance floor… — I have been known to cut a rug. Hard to believe that this shambling, almost sixty year old, part-time punk could once move his limbs relatively in synch with music, but it’s true. I loved to dance. My mother would have baby-danced me I’m sure. Tucked snugly in my Welsh…