Blade Runner Life-Drawing Sketches

Hi lovely people!

How are you all? Did you have a nice week-end?

I definitely did, even though I didn't manage to catch up on sleep much. I sleep terribly when I'm burnt out, ironically enough.  
Saturday was work until 4 then I headed to my boyfriend's and we got delicious take-away vietnamese food and enjoyed some Westworld. 

On the Sunday, I went to a free Blade Runner themed life-drawing session at an art shop in Shoreditch!
I was joined by a very good friend of mine who was all up for it even though she doesn't draw. She did amazingly, and it was a lot of fun.
She kept saying her work wasn't good, but I personally think she did incredibly well, especially since our characters were dressed (I don't know about you, but I find that harder than nude poses), and our poses were never longer than 15 mins. Plus, life-drawing is one of the best way of getting better, and practice is even more admirable when one isn't used to it and hasn't got much experience. The first step is always so hard, and I think should be rewarded accordingly.

Our models were wonderful, and very enjoyable to sketch.
The poses were all 15 mins, which I sometimes stuck to, and sometimes did a variety of smaller sketches during.
I am used to life-drawing sessions starting off with quick poses, and then building up to longer ones, so the rhythm felt odd to me.  

We got there right on time, which means a little late in those circumstances really, resulting in us being towards the back of the group, at a slightly odd angle, and I had to stand through the whole session, without an easel, but all in all, it was very cool!

It also felt great because I haven't had the time to do my regular (almost) daily life-drawing session at home for a while, so I felt somewhat rusty, plus, I hadn't done a live life-drawing session in...years! (I usually practice with Croquis Cafe on Youtube. Not as good as real-life, but still better than nothing for broke, time-starved artists like me, haha.)
Add to that that I almost never draw clothed characters, this was a challenging session for sure!

My first couple of sketches were somewhat clumsy, but I could feel myself getting more into the groove of things by the end, and it left me pining for more, so I'll definitely be on the lookout for more similar workshops in the future. Especially if they are free........;)

After the session, my friend and I wandered around the shop for a bit (it's a massive shop....and we were given 20% off vouchers....I don't have enough will-power to pass that by...damn me...). I bought a watercolour board that I am excited to try out, and my friend insisted on buying me a late birthday present and got me a Saunders Waterford 100% Cotton 300gsm 28x25cm sketchbook, and oh my god it's gorgeous and I can't wait to use it. The edges of each page are deckled, the paper is cold pressed....It's amazing....So so so sweet of her...

Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this little peak into my week-end, and my out-of-practice life-drawings!
I'll have an update post on my big piece soon, with progress shots, and I am hoping to have it done this week.
I have that piece, the process PDF, and my sponsored video to get done before Saturday, as my main tasks, and my week will be a bit shorter than usual as today was taken up by frustrating last minute administrative tasks that required I go to my embassy in London, and Friday will be my boyfriend's birthday, so I won't be able to work this week-end. So it's crunch time, haha!

I hope you are all well,
Had a wonderful week end,
And will have an even more wonderful week.

Take care everyone!
M