The Arts Festival is so indebted to those that share their time. For the Figure Drawing we were treated to Ian Naylor’s expertise. Somehow, without putting anyone under pressure, he encouraged everyone, regardless of their level of sketching ability, to have a go at a very tricky subject in an almost overwhelmingly awe-inspiring setting. I am not sure that town crier Paul Lucas would appreciate being called tricky in any other context than as a figure drawing model.
Most of Cheadle is unknowingly familiar with at least some of this local artists’ work, as they walk over his pavement copper pigeons every day! That was a community project from decades ago and nowadays Ian Naylor is the ‘Senior Lifedrawing Specialist’ for the Games Dept at Staffordshire University.
This department is a real success story and one of the biggest of its kind in Europe. At St Giles we were treated to some of his students coming along and testing their skills and it was lovely to see their amazing work (although not necessarily placed next to my efforts in the throw downs!).
Charles Walker leads the long running weekly Life Classes in Caverswall and was on hand at our event supporting those less familiar with figure drawing. Charles invites anyone interested in exploring figure drawing to attend his weekly sessions – drop in whenever you can make it.