under another sun

Recording with Robin after breakfast, did the rest of the show in one session, which was pleasing. Then I gathered my bits of recent drawings and went to Melissa's house at lunchtime, just across from the graveyard in the centre of town. She lives in a bright yellow house, and we talked for almost an hour about what I'd done. Nice to have this chat with her, as she gave me some good advice, for example about shading up to the line. I had to smile, as at school Ron Groom used to get me to paint up to the line too. I always seemed to want to leave gaps between areas of colour, and a bazillion years later I'm still doing this. These old tendencies seem to be hard wired in. Left and bumped into Adele on the street, who was just on her way to have her own feedback sesh too. I always love bumping into friends on the street. Makes me feel at home. Otherwise a quiet day for me, some writing this afternoon. Lorraine busy with Pat and Maureen. I spoke to Mum, and cooked in the evenin...

A horrific night's sleep, feeling brain dead and horrid this morning. However, I mooched around the corner to a little hall to attend a life drawing session. Really enjoyed this, although felt a bit overwhelmed at first. There was very little preamble, and as I have not paid for coaching, I just got drawing. A nice group of people, all retired, and the tutor called Melissa was pleasant. Very little preamble. I had split second of thinking,  'crikey that person's got no clothes on' but almost immediately got caught up in the angles and shapes of the body. First few efforts failing to get the proportions anywhere near right. However some of the later sketches (we were in the Women's institute hall for a couple of hours) were a bit better. The model was doing what Melissa called pretzel poses, quite twisty and arms and legs doing lots. I found this quite difficult. First drawing class since I was in my teens and I could hear Ron Groom my old art teacher in my head.  Th...

A cup of tea in bed from Lorraine this morning. Worth its weight in gold. Working today for a few hours on stuff for Pat, and also clambering about the house getting on with stuff. Woke up early and in need of irrigation after yesterday with Bob. The weather growing less bitingly cold as the day progressed, but still hats and coats weather. Off to Lewes this evening, where I met my old school friend Mark in the Lewes Arms. After a couple of steadying pints of Harveys, down to Chaula's Indian restaurant for a rather good bite to eat.  Lewes quiet tonight, the Lewes Arms down to a handful of stalwarts when we left, and Chaula's empty when we left it. We had an absolute bloody final drink in the Gardener's Arms, where the solitary barmaid had already stacked up most of the stools and chairs. Lots to talk about, and Mark is a good raconteur, and was telling me about his new company, which has necessitated a few trips to India, among other places. Good to catch up with someone...