And she didn't even ask me to take my clothes off for her!

It was good to meet my new friend the other day, the guy who wants to pose for me. We got on well and both had loads to say to each other on various varied subjects.

And I like the fact he wants to remain anonymous. And his reasons for it.

All of which I can understand.....................

He's always been interested in art, and loves to look at it. He met a woman artist earlier this year who suggested he might make a good life drawing model. He'd never considered it before..... but the more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea of it. His wife thought it a good joke, which made him even more keen to do it. And prove her wrong.

He found me via the internet, but not in the place I presumed it would be when he first contacted me. It was via another, more.............. subtle link. But the link worked just the same. And after a chat on the phone, we agreed to meet this week. He'd already sent me a (clothed!) photo of himself, so I had an idea of what he looked like. I knew his name, age, and profession. And that he lived quite nearby.

He arrived. We chatted, over tea. And then some more tea. And more chat. He'd seen all my pictures on my website and liked the erotic and non erotic ones. I showed him some of the ones he'd seen, in the flesh, so to speak! :)

He told me why he wanted to pose for me, and I was interested in his reasons. Partly, so that he be part of the artistic endeavour,  partly to show his wife what he's done, but mostly because he'd got this desire to do something about the urge within him to do it.

And I'd like to help him. I know he was nervous. I know others have been nervous when they've come to me to be drawn, and I explained that I am professional enough, and experienced enough, to help him overcome his nervousness and hopefully we'll both enjoy the experience and I'll produce some good drawings of him. He may decide to become a model for life group, but before that great day arrives, he wants to model just for me, whilst he overcomes his nervousness, and learns the ropes. So to speak (that's probably not the right phrase for a model for an erotic artist.......... but you know what I mean!!!!).

And the thing he found most difficult during our initial meeting? The one thing he'd expected, and I didn't ask for........................................?

For him to take his clothes off.
For him to pose for me that day.
For him to overcome his nervousness.

I didn't ask him, because my time was tight, and I knew it was going to take time to set up a pose.  I wanted him to think about it, to think about my words and to be happy about the experience. But, also I wanted to be prepared, so that when he poses, I'll give him the best possible experience of it for his first time. I didn't want him to feel cold, uncomfortable, awkward, or find it unpleasant. And put him off it forever.

So, hopefully, we can do it soon. But not yet. I've got to get the stuff for Erotica done first. there's still loads to sort out........

But I could see his basic body shape, through his clothes. But..................... I still haven't seen the Prince Albert yet.

Maybe...........next time................................ :)

Abstracting the abstract

With Erotica coming up in a few weeks time, I wanted to do a painting to exhibit there, depiciting a tarse and a queyte in a sort of "abstract of an abstract" using only a very limited palette which would make a more decorative generic image rather than a specific one. So after I'd found the image of a fanny and a cock that I was happy with (and that's actually more difficult than you would imagine! Its not easy looking for either, I can tell you!!!!! LOL ). Anyway, after I'd eventually found the images I was happy with, I had to put them together in a design that was pleasing to the eye, but by using only the basic of shapes and tones to get the image across to the viewer. And added to that was whether to put the fanny to the left or the right of the cock. To start with, I thought it would  be better if the fanny was on the left of it, but they looked like they weren't very interested in each other (so to speak!) so the fanny went to the right, but then the image looked a bit more .....er........erotic than I had planned, but it has to be this way to make them look like they are a pair - a "his and hers" of a painting. Then, once I'd drawn out the design I liked, I transferred it to a box canvas - its quite a large size - 40 x 20 inches plus the sides of the canva itself as I like it when the image goes around the corners of the canvas, it makes it more 3-D I think. I knew I wanted to do the  acrylic painting in creams and golds, although I had to have a slightly darker gold to make the depth of the image, and I've used white (well, actually very very very pale cream to look like white, otherwise the white looks dirty against the warmer creams). And the finished result? Well its here for you to view and I love it for its clean crisp lines, simplicity of shape and delicate colours. And I'd love to do it as a "hers and hers" or "his and his" painting too - and of course any colours can be used for it, to match exisiting decor. So.....my first "Tarse and Queynte" painting. But one of many, to come, I'm sure (so to speak!!!!).

Last night I was asked by a woman I know as a new aquaintance what my job was. When I told her I'm an Erotic Artist she was genuinely fascinated. And couldn't wait to look at my website when I started to tell her about the erotic landscape I'm working on at the moment. And I really enjoyed telling her about it....... I think most people are interested when I tell them.................. I just wish I had more buyers. I know I'm good at what I do, I have talent, and skill, people are interested in my art, I just need to sell more. But....... that's always something that I'm looking into. I've contacted the local airport today as they're asking for artists to exhibit at the terminal. Not with a view to selling, just to promote my art. Sounds very promising too!

And tomorrow should be interesting.... I have a visitor coming to see me. Someone I've never met before. A man. Who wants to pose for me. And he tells me he has a prince albert...............Mmm........ its not often that you mention that in your job description, is it!!!! LOL

Chasing the erotic

Its been a while since I did a black and white drawing, well, one I was happy enough to show you anyway.....................!

But this week I've done one that I'm pleased with.

I know from past experience that if I don't do regular drawing that my brain gets out of practice, and although I still know how to draw, its just a little bit harder to get the effect that would flow naturally when I paint and draw on an almost daily basis. That's why its important to do life drawing, or at least to be drawing out images for a painting on a regular basis. But still, I am aware of that, and try to keep myself "taut" most of the time. Its only when things like holidays come along and I don't do any artwork that I get like this.....................but with a bit of practice I'm back up to my normal flowing drawing level and the art is back to the level it should be...................

So when I saw my model this week, I had an idea in my head for an image - it was of her lying with her back arched up and her head thrown back in abandon, probably with her hand at her breast or crotch. That was my plan.

She had other ideas.

She had backache.

"Ok, then, well what CAN you do, if you can't do that?" I asked.

And whilst we contemplated the pose problem, she pointed out that she had some new specs - I like them, and thought they suited her. As she took them off, the idea for the pose came to me! Yes!!!!! As a secretary, with a white shirt and black tie, her clothes undone, her bra on show, as she looked directly at the viewer and removed her specs.................YES...................that'll work, and work well!!!

We set up the pose, I put on my favourite rock tracks, loud. The thumping music filled the room.

I started drawing, and yes, I knew instantly it would work, the image was a good one, the pose was good, there was enough black and white to make the image interesting, it was erotic, very erotic! I'd found it!!!!!!

YAY!

And here it is......................the image. There's lots of lovely lines and contrasts in it, and I love the fact that some areas have more detail than others. I think the message gets across nicely. And the title? MMMm.................."Hot and bothered" ................that describes it nicely, I think!!!! :)

Friends

My friend Stuart has sent me a beautiful letter this week telling me .....

"I am writing to you about why I am so enthusiastic to show the drawings to family, friends and strangers. My main motivation is my pride in having participated in the production of two such beautiful pictures. I believe that they are so good that it would be a great shame if they were framed, hung in our front room with few people seeing them. Most people who have seen them think that they are very good, once they have become accustomed to viewing a naked male senior citizen! Obviously you have great skill to make an old timer like me look so attractive without overdoing it. They are certainly me! I am also proud of myself for having the courage to pose nude before a lady I did not know. However, as Sir Malcolm Sargeant said, you should try everything once with the possible exception of incest and morris dancing. It ws my lucky day when I was introduced to you to draw me. Your drawings are now my most precious possession."........ Aw, isn't that nice!!!


And whilst we're on the subject of friends, the ever fragrant and lovely SpikyZora Jones has given me this Friends award! Aw, I'm touched!!!! Thankyou babe! I want in turn to share it with all those who read my blog regularly - well, those who I know about, because you leave nice comments!



I also want to thank my usual model for her help, enthusiasm, fun, friendship, inventiveness, and patience when we're setting up a pose. And understanding when the art "doesn't work" for whatever reason (my bad headache being the reason this week!) and positive and vocal support and the accolades when it does (which is most of the time) !!! Thanks babe - and I'll forward this "Friends" award to you in particular.

In the red

It's a very busy time of year for me - there are loads of local exhibitions on - and that means decisions to make whether to participate or not, which to go and see, and which to miss out. I can't do all of them, so I have to pick and choose which are most important to me. And then I have to consider that if the exhibitors can put a maximum of ten paintings in an exhibition, that I have the ten that I need, and usually the organisers want the information for the exhibitions well in advance, which means the paintings have to actually exist! So I've been busy painting these last few days, along with continuing with the paintings I'm doing for the main gallery.

My model asked me an interesting question when I saw her this week - and one that made me laugh out loud in disbelief! She said "Do you ever get stuck for ideas of what to paint?" and my reply after I'd stopped laughing, was "No, I have the opposite of writers block - I have so many ideas to paint at this moment in time, that I doubt I'd ever get them all painted if I painted solidly for the next year, and that's not counting the other ideas that come to me regularly for paintings".

So, when I drew her this week, I knew exactly what I was going to do and how I was going to do it. Another white on black drawing with a touch of colour to add interest. And the interest in question was going to be suspenders and that lovely piece of creamy white thigh at the top of the leg that is that is exposed whilst a woman is putting on stockings. I also wanted her cleavage on show and the hint of the little black dress that she was wearing whilst she got dressed to go out. And since I prefer to paint as little as possible to get the point across, I did just that, and added the colour just for the suspenders. The title came to me easily too, which always thrills me when it does - so it's called "In the red" because she's obviously in red underwear, from what you can see so far!

Exploring to find new depths

A different model for me this week - a male one, and that means I've got to re-think the pose and how I want it to look. And the end result is another drawing that I'm not 100% happy with - it may need a bit more work doing on it and then I'll be happier with it. But sometimes a drawing is just an idea explored to see what happens. I like the lights and darks in this one and there's movement in there, a focal point, something about to happen, something that has just happened. I like the way the boot is not actually on the back of his hand but looks like it might be. I like the way he's pulling it towards him and the thought of what he is maybe going to do next.

Mmmm... perhaps I'd be happier if the picture had more passion in it..... What do you think?

Seeing red

Last week when I saw my usual model I had a basic idea for a painting but after trying a couple of poses in watercolour I decided I wasn't at all happy at the outcome for various reasons, it just wasn't working and the colours and tones were far too weak. I wanted to do a long vertical red painting and tried the model in various tall poses but they just didn't work somehow. Mmmm...... rethink. And this week I realised that I'd been going about it the wrong way and I'd be better doing a long horizontal painting instead! Yay! Far better! And to get the stronger colour I was after I changed the medium to acrylics as they are far more vibrant and get a better result far quicker and more assuredly than watercolours. Success! I also decided to paint the whole background in a rich scarlet to start with which instantly gave me my mid tones and then all I needed to do was pick out the lights in the painting and add the darks and it was complete. The composition was something that came to me with one of those instants of brilliance too. So I got the model to lie on a long sofa, with a table lamp to the side of her, highlighting her breasts and long shapely legs, and painted the composition as it was. Since the light and her arm nearest to it were the lightest parts of the painting, I captured those first, letting the rest of her body fade towards the darkness at the other end of the painting. To add interest to the sofa I put golds and purples in with the cushions surrounding the model and am really delighted with the result of it! It works beautifully as a composition, I love the colours of it, the rich vibrant reds, and the paler tones of the womans skin. Her pose is at ease, elegant and alluring. She's confident in herself and delights in being admired in her rich setting. I think it's sensual, erotic and graceful. And the title of this painting? Well, it could have been a number of titles, but I've settled on "Lady with the lamp". And I know I've done a good painting because I keep wanting to look at it! And that's always a good sign!!

Flowing

When it flows, it flows. When its hard work it shows. It's better when it flows, and for me its better when the whole thing just flows in one easy liquid movement. What on earth are you talking about, you're now asking yourself, cos it all sounds cryptic so far! Well, I'll explain....... sometimes I'll see something that will inspire me to paint an image. Sometimes I'll hear something that will give me an idea for a painting. Sometimes a painting will go well and I'll paint it easily. Sometimes it can take me days to think of a good title for one of my paintings. But occasionally, and it is occasionally, the whole thing will just come to me in one nice fluid moment. I'll have the idea, the notion of how I'm gonna paint it and even the title for it, all at once! Wow! Big WOW!!! And this week when I saw my model I had no idea of what pose I was going to draw her in. Sometimes I know instantly, sometimes she'll come up with an idea and I'll modify it to fit with how I want to draw her. Sometimes, like this week, I'll be struggling to come up with something. Then I came up with the pose, a good one I thought, but because it had taken me a few minutes to think of it, and I'd said something cheeky to her like "Come on then, get yer kit off!" she had answered me in a cheeky way and as she was undoing her jeans she stuck her arse out at me, as well as laughing, as she looked back at me over her shoulder! "That's it!" I said "Hold it there, that's the pose!" and drew her in that position, and laughed to myself in delight. She asked what was funny and I said "I've got a title for it already!" "What?" she asked. "Kiss my ass!!" I replied! And that was it - pose chosen, title chosen, picture drawn, all very quickly, and I'm even delighted with the result! It works well, has just enough in it for the viewer to know what its about, the only detail is the arse itself, since it's in pride of place, both in the drawing and the title! And I really like it because it's got ATTITUDE!!!!

The latest model

Who'd want to be an artists model? Certainly, there aren't that many people who fancy the job. Not many people are happy taking their clothes off for other people. Especially people who are going to look intently at them. Examine them in minute detail. And then after they've done that they're going to put all the details down on paper infront of them, showing all the parts of your body they you may not be a hundred percent comfortable with. Warts and all ....... so to speak! So, who would want to do THAT for goodness sake???? Well.......... it appears that some people do, and they actually enjoy doing it. And yes, I know that people pose as life drawing models for various reasons - some of them financial - because a life model can earn a reasonable rate of pay for sitting there in the buff, doing nothing in particular but keeping still (and BOY is THAT hard work!!!). But other people do it for far more involved reasons than basic cash. They do it for the love of it - they adore getting their clothes off for someone else and definitely get a frisson of excitement every time they stand before a room full of clothed strangers, knowing that all the eyes in that room are focused on THEM. They are the Star of the Show!!!

But deeper than that, there's another group of people who enjoy the creative process, and want to be part of it, but just don't know how to. They're not artistic, they're not particularly creative, they can't draw to save their lives, but they really really want to do something arty. So, they decide to aide the artist in another way - they become life models. They are the focus of the artistic process - they are the basis of the end product - their body is frozen in time, portrayed upon a canvas, immortalised in paint to live on in perpetuity for the world to see. And whilst you could say that they are being altruistic in some ways, they are also fully aware of their selfish needs in this. Its fulfilling their desire for being the creative focus of someone else.

And then there's the next group - the happy amateurs, who are doing it for a bit of a laugh, a lark, a bit of fun. They just pick it up and do it on the spur of the moment, something else to add to their "done that, bought the tee shirt" scenario, something they can laugh about down the pub with their mates, and tell their grandchildren about when they're old and grey.

And I suppose taking it to a different direction all together, there are those people who get their sexual kicks from the fantasy of being naked with a load of other people, and imagine the hot and frenzied passionate no-holds barred gang-bang orgy that might.......just......... happen .........if certain things go their way, and who probably go home bitterly frustrated and incredibly disappointed when they realise that actually the artist only really did just want to draw them for a couple of hours, and have a cup of tea and a digestive biscuit and talk about their herbaceous border.

But, to go to to another side altogether, there's the sublime relationship between artist and their muse - not just a model, but a person who truely inspires the artist. They have a deep and lasting love affair, not always of a sexual nature, but certainly one of a deep and significant type, where the artist does their best work because of the relationship and feeds from the artistic flow that comes from it. That's the pinnacle of the artist/model relationship. One that we all aspire to - and is so hard to attain. Its a thing of beauty when it happens. Something to be valued because its just so rare and special.

Plumbing jobs

I've just had the plumber around for a small but annoying plumbing job, he made a comment about one of the drawings I have on my bathroom wall, since it was sexual, and I'd done it. He knows full well I do erotic art. He laughed, shook his head and asked if I'd got any other pictures that weren't of blow jobs. Sure I have! and showed him some more erotic art. He laughed again and said if I could find someone to give him a blowjob he'd come and pose for me. "Ok" I said, "Are you serious?" "No, I'm not!", he said quite emphatically. Then....... just as he was leaving he said..... "This woman, who'd give me a blow job, is she nice, how old is she? or is it a man?" I laughed and said I could find him all three if he wanted - a man, if that was his choice, or a woman? Then I said he was a tart as I bet if I said the woman was in her fifties, overweight and had no teeth he'd say no. "Oh, I don't mind the no teeth bit" he said laughing again. "But", I said, "If I was to tell you she was eighteen, blonde and gorgeous, you'll be interested!" He replied "If you can find anyone like that I'll pose for you, every week, for a year!!!" ........... So, it looks like I've got a new model, anyone interested in joining him??

Getting turned on to drawing

The recent comments by Honoranddesire and Hornmaleuk have made me consider what people suspect happens between an artist and a model during an art session, especially when its an erotic art session. Its always the thought and question, underneath the surface isn't it? What happens when you're drawing a naked person, and you fancy them? Part of me, like most artists, considers that its a professional working relationship, like doctors, when you just happen to work with naked people, and you're trying to do a job........ but, there is the other side, when you get to know the model a bit more, and they become a personality, a friend, and then maybe a lover. But, drawing is using a different part of the brain, and I need to concentrate, arrange the composition, lighting, decide which medium I'm going to use, get my easel up, set up some rock music to paint to, make sure the model is comfortable with the pose, and is warm enough, and doesn't have a spot light shining in their eyes, isn't going to get cramp in five minutes time, whist listening with half an ear to their problems, and trying to organise them into the pose without seeming heartless to their concerns, and I'm not wearing my best clothes, I'm in old jeans and a comfortable tee shirt, so that if I spill paint down me, it won't matter. But if I'm getting ready for sex, I'd dress differently, take more care, and wear something slightly provocative in a revealing or clingy way, something that makes me feel hot, would feel calmer and would be looking for signs and giving signs, in my conversation, or gestures, or demeanour. So perhaps the model is ready for sex, because they have an empty mind, and are sitting there stark naked, but the artist isn't ready for sex because their mind is full of ideas and organising things. Mmmmm..... that's a really interesting thought.

I think we have a special relationship with our models, and they understand that too. And I've definitely had some interesting times and some very non vanilla moments whilst drawing naked models! I think as figure artists we're open to people, and the models are open to the artist, so its a potent mix to start with. Plus I also think that models are a particular type of person too - who like being naked infront of fully clothed people, who are exhibitionists (unless they are just desperate for the money and can overcome their inhibitions for financial reasons), and want to be viewed and stared at and have their sexual fantasies at the same time, so perhaps the poor artist doesn't stand a chance! (smile).

I know at the end of a drawing session I'm mentally whacked, because I've been concentrating so hard, the model is happily chatting away, and I've gone quiet, whilst I'm packing my art materials and easel away, so perhaps that's when there's a shift in the relationship, instead of the artist being in control of the model and the situation, the model is fresh and lively, mentally alert, and can take over and start to control what happens next.........

I've not forgotten.....

........but its been difficult to arrange the logistics of getting three people together. So finally we've been able to set a date for me to draw hornymaleuk with a female model. And between now and then I'll be racking my brains for poses, ideas, colours and styles, as well as the important one of hiding his body shape so that he's not recognised. Mmmmmm... that's going to be difficult again, but at least I know what he looks like now, so that will make it easier than the first time. And putting two people together, makes for more interesting poses than just one on their own, its just keeping that fine line between erotic and pornographic that I need to consider too. I've got a few ideas for poses, so now I'll have to consider the lighting aspects too, and how long the models can keep the poses for (twice the problem with cramped muscles, aching legs, and cold skin). And until I do the drawing I won't relax, I know I'll be thinking deeply about this right up until I complete the images. Who said art was easy?!!

Under the microscope

I've noticed recently how many people don't make eye contact when they pass in the street. I always look at people as they walk towards me, although obviously it depends where I am and whether its likely to encourage trouble if I do it, so I am somewhat circumspect as to my surroundings! Some people look at me, and will smile at my open gaze, but, on the whole, people don't look at other people. Perhaps we've all been conditioned nowadays not to do it, which is a shame. And I'm so used to doing it, as its my job, to look, to observe, to record the details. I find whilst I'm standing quietly somewhere, in a queue or a busy bar, that I people watch and can always find beauty in the tiniest detail - the curl of hair in the nape of the neck, long sweeping dark eyelashes, polished fingernails, the glint of red in a head of dark hair, the startling blueness of a pair of eyes, or the sensual fullness of a bottom lip. And of course there's the larger details, the freshness of teenage skin, the full hips of a sexy older woman, the tightness of a pair of male buttocks, the gentle curve of a female thigh, the squareness of a mans shoulders, the fullness of perfectly rounded breasts. I was told a few weeks ago by a female friend that she'd always had a big sexual fantasy about being drawn in minute detail, all her innermost details examined and inspected then captured down on paper, and I've been told by a man I've drawn recently what a turn on it was to be observed in minute detail, in almost a detached scientific way, then to see his naked body created on the paper infront of me, he felt was a very erotic situation. I suppose it must be. I don't know why I was surprised to hear it, as I spend as much time assessing a subject to draw whatever it is, although admittedly a vase might not have quite the same level of eroticism about it as a semi-naked body. Then afterwards when my model sees the finished drawing, to know how they were feeling when I drew them, how I've captured their essence, their sexuality, the eroticness of the situation, they realise how much I've seen...........

Deeper and deeper

Had a chat with an artist friend last night who was interested to hear what my latest erotic art outputs are. I told him about my forthcoming project to draw hornymaleuk and the challenge its going to be because I can't do a traditional representational image of him. He readily agreed. So we discussed and explored the ways I am going to have to tackle this artwork. He said that I should consider other erotic male images to base my drawing on, but its alright to think of James Bond/Indiana Jones/Gladiator as the basis but they all have a face and I won't be able to show that. Also I don't know what body shape I shall be drawing until I see hornymaleuk. My artist friend also made me think deeper when he said that just a small part of something can be far far more erotic than the whole thing, so I don't necessarily need to paint a whole body, I can just focus on a part of it. I don't know which part of hornymaleuk's anatomy is the sexiest bit (ignoring the obvious answer at this point) - because it might be his tight buttocks (if they are!) his strong shoulder, chiselled jawline, six pack, muscled thigh or long sensitive fingers (if they all are - but what if they're not?) My artist friend also said that I should consider the use of back light, which appeals to me very much, perhaps throwing the full face or most of it, into darkness, and perhaps the use of a fluidly wet medium, to carry on the hot and steamy interpretation of what he is/and does. My friend also said that since hornymaleuk is obviously trusted by women, he has a compassionate/respected/sensitive side to him that I should also consider. So now we get into the abstract! Mmm...... this is getting more interesting the more I think of it.......

And on a slightly separate note I was really pleased with the drawing I did of my usual female model this week. I drew her holding a lit candle in her hand with the hot wax dribbling down over her breast creating lovely shapes as it followed her rounded contours. I did actually offer to imagine the wax for the image but she said she was happy to light the candle and do the job properly. The things we do for art. I've got a lovely title for the drawing - "Meltdown" - I need to do a bit more work on it before I'm totally happy with it though as the wax from the candle has to be smoother than her skin to illustrate the use of texture.

I also met up this week with someone who wants to pose for me. Shes really excited at the prospect as she's never done it before. I shall enjoy drawing her as she's a different body shape to what I normally do.

I have also got a commission on at the moment to paint a house portrait for someone. I know I can do it quickly, competently and easily and hope to start it next week. But somehow its not holding my interest as much as the erotic stuff........ I wonder why.......