Life drawing artist Susanna Bailey Picture: CLARE HOMER Ref: 76833-22A NAKED model will provide the inspiration for students taking part in New College's first-ever life drawing classes.

Artist Susanna Bailey, who will be the class tutor, claims that she can teach just about anybody to draw.

She said: "One of the greatest challenges is to draw from life because all the lines on the human figure are interdependent with each other.

"But my teaching will be all about drawing by eye and cutting away all the fear of drawing.

"You draw with tone rather than lines and you start by learning how to work out the measurements. Once you know how to do that you are ready.

"Life drawing is drawing anything other than an inanimate object. Basically it is drawing the dressed or undressed figure."

Susanna's model is Rosalind Orwin, who has been life modelling for a year and has formed the company Modelled Me.

Susanna believes standing naked in front of a roomful of strangers is an art form in itself.

"A really good model has usually been modelling for some time," she said.

"They need a great presence of mind to do the modelling as it can be quite exhausting.

"They also need a certain atmosphere about them but, more importantly, they need to be someone who enjoys their work enormously and wants to help the artists.

"I suppose the model's enjoyment is a psychological thing.

"They like the fact that they are helping the artists."

Rosalind, who poses for life drawing, photography and portrait classes across Wiltshire, said: "I'm extremely expressive. I used to want to be an actor and life modelling is very much like acting.

"I'm expressive, maybe because of my Italian background, and I keep very fit, attending the gym and yoga classes."

Anybody is welcome to come along to the Life Drawing For Beginners classes regardless of their ability levels but they must bring their own equipment.

Susanna said: "They will need to bring a sketch book and some drawing paper and whatever they want to draw with whether that is pencils, paint or charcoal."

The five-week course starts on April 21 from 7pm to 9pm for each session.

The course costs £50 and anyone who would like to book a place should contact New College on 0808 172172.

"This is the first time that life drawing classes have been held at the college," said New College spokesman Leigh Debbage.

"Obviously we wanted the highest quality teacher and model for the class and to get both is a tremendous opportunity for the college."

Diana Milne