Bay Area Model’s Guild Drawing Marathon

The Bay Area Model’s Guild turns 75 in 2021. It’s been a super-tough year for them and they organized a fundraiser to help keep the guild alive. Close to 400 people attended through the day, and at one point there were about 260 of us drawing in one big zoom room. Their models, sometimes up to 20 of them at a time, posed online from 11am to 4pm, and you could draw from a range of poses, from quick gestures to 5,10 and 20 minute poses, one hour poses and even longer ones.

It is just wonderful to participate in a long, immersive experience like that. I took a some short breaks, snacked and drank a ton of chai through the day. I thought I was too exhausted to draw a few times, but in the end I stayed on and it was a truly fantastic experience.

Here are pieces from the day, starting with quicker charcoal sketches and then moving to a mix of different media. Some worked out, some didn’t. There’s a pile of these pieces on my studio floor: I sketch one, put it down and start on the next one. I think I have got them all, but if I find some I missed, I’ll post them on my instagram stream.

charcoal on newsprint

watercolor and ink on newsprint. It smudges, blots and is hard to control. I kinda like that.

colored pencil , ink and white gouache on coated brown paper

colored pencil , ink and white gouache on coated brown paper

colored pencil and ink on pearlescent paper

Ink and posca marker

watercolor and ink on watercolor paper

watercolor and ink on coated paper

watercolor, ink and gouache on watercolor paper

colored pencils and ink on coated brown paper

You can find out more about the guild, hire models or join their marathons and other life drawing events by checking out their website or joining their facebook group.