Peter, from Inverness invited me to his studio, a warm escape from the cold and wind (thank you). Surrounded by shelves filled with paints, brushes, and pencils, he surprised me by choosing to ‘paint’ me on his iPad using Procreate. After two relaxed afternoon sittings, here’s the final result.

I spent a day with Ian for this pencil portrait, drawn with an basic HB pencil on plain paper. Titled ‘Reverie’, it captures what I believe to be a strong and expressive likeness. The shading around the eyes, nose, and mouth adds depth, while his confident linework defines my facial structure well.

Thank you SO MUCH to Lindsay for the lovely framed print of the Impasto effect painting she did of me on a VERY chill Lothbeg beach last autumn, titled “Awakening”. If it were a photograph, you’d see the goosebumps all over me! 🥶

I spent a very lovely Saturday morning posing for Peter, a former art teacher, who after 40 years of drawing landscapes fancied trying his hand at life drawing. Here’s his pencil drawing on simple A4 paper,. He’s a natural! He also makes the best coffee in Sutherland and supplies biscuits! 😋

From a photoshoot I did in 2022 at Crakaig Beach at Lothbeg.
Titled “Elements” – Standing bare against the forces that shape us. Life may strip us down, exposing every vulnerability, but still, we face it—resilient, unyielding, and present.

Between the lockdowns of the pandemic over the summer of 2020, I managed to finally meet with Gregory, an artist in Warwickshire, who’d been asking to draw me for a few years. He sketched me as I leaned on this post, the corner of a paddock, before adding this subtle sepia colour-wash at his studio.

Began as a pencil sketch, Rob also took a photo of me in the same pose. Using the photo to reference colours, lighting, and shadows, he gave the pencil drawing a watercolour wash using his digital painting software. I love how much life it brings to the sketch while still liking the original pencil.

I got a message from one of our Foxes Afloat viewers who’d never picked up a pencil and drawn in her life, but after watching some tutorial videos, she wanted to give it a try. She asked if she could draw me as her first life model. I said, “Of course!” Here’s Carol’s first-ever life drawing.

Digital life drawing seems to be growing in popularity, and it’s fascinating to see how artists adapt. This is a recent piece I posed for, drawn on an iPad Pro by Craig in East Sutherland. It’s a bit weird hearing the tap-tap of a stylus instead of the scratch of a pencil or the sweep of a brush.

Portrait drawing by Lisa. Pontefract. 2004. I was sat in direct sunlight, which is why the contrast is so sharp. I was also emerging from a period of depression, so was unshaven and my hair a mess. Those who know me will get how unusual that is! 😅

“Effortless Poise”. Relaxed yet striking, this pencil drawing captures a moment of quiet confidence. The subtle tilt of the head and casual posture suggest ease, perhaps bordering on nonchalance.

Artist: Anthony. Barnsley, 2017. Affectionately titled 'Balls of Steel'. This was drawn in a gym I worked at in Barnsley. The position was challenging to say the least, and I could only hold the pose for a few minutes at a time. The session lasted for 5 hours, but I ached for a week afterwards!