"Meet me at Angel station at 6.15pm" instructed David's email. I showed the girls and there followed a flurry of excitement as we discussed what it could be. Having highlighted the fact that simply booking a restaurant beginning with the letter 'A' was not imaginative enough, I know I have put the pressure on him to surprise me.When I get to the station, there are about 30 people waiting for friends to arrive. David spots me and presents me with a smart black envelope labeled “A is for…”. And inside the words “Art class”. How exciting (and unexpected)!!
David admits that he had had a fairly unproductive day at work, that primarily consisted of printing labels and sticking them on envelopes... I am doubtful that we'll make it to 'Z' but ever the optimist, David insists we'll stick at it.
We arrive at the Candid Gallery where we have a drink in the cute cafe. I'm already feeling a bit nervous, ridiculous as it sounds, fearing that the potential for total humiliation is high. Nevertheless we go down to the studio, where we discover a big group of both regulars and newcomers setting up their sketchbooks and taping paper to the easels. Again I'm impressed that David has done his research and knows that we can buy paper for 25 pence a sheet and charcoal at 25 pence a stick. Others around us have brought their own materials and I can feel a sense of dread in my stomach as I imagine just how awful I am going to be at this. We find a spot in the back corner.The warm-up terrifies me - David has abandoned me for the loo, I have no idea where to start and can't bring myself to put charcoal to paper. I tentatively draw a line then immediately smudge it out. I fear that this is going to be a long night...
The model makes four or five short poses and during one of these, the tutor, recognising the look of pain on my face (and my frankly shocking first attempt), provides me and David with some advice on where to start and how to get the proportions right. Having never had a drawing class before, it's useful advice and I find the 15-minute poses easier to tackle.
At the break, our tutor tells us about an exhibition launch that's going on upstairs in the gallery space and hands us a free drinks voucher. I almost decline as I'd vowed to give up booze Monday to Friday ahead of my holiday (yes, another one of my half-arsed ideas) but reeling from my poor attempt at 'art', I'm soon downing a glass of red wine.
Two glugs in and I'm reminding David that a) I really don't like being told what to do, b) I don't like being bad at things and c) I haven't done art since I was 14, when I gave it up at the first opportunity. His response is that he knew it was a risk but thought that I'd be game to give it a go. I sometimes think he gives me a bit too much credit... However he is now looking a little forlorn so I reassure him that I'm enjoying the class and vow to myself that I will make more effort in the last section.
Back in the studio, Mike the model is in his final pose. I've forgotten all of the tips I've been given but happily get to work, thanks to that one glass of wine. The alcohol has had the opposite effect on David, who sighs and puffs loudly for the last half an hour. I'm extremely chuffed when the tutor says "Super!" at my final attempt ("Sh*t" was word that had sprung to my mind) and although I doubt I'll be rushing back to the class, I feel a sense of satisfaction at having lasted until the end.
After two hours of concentration (and frustration), we're starving and head off to the Afghan Kitchen on Islington Green. The food was superb.
I'd been apprehensive about the class at first but already I'm enjoying dating David and learning more about him - you think you know someone and then you watch them draw a naked man...
And the scores are in:
- Originality = 8.5/10 (I didn't see that coming...)
- Atmosphere = 5/10 (frosty at first but I warmed up after a glass of wine!)
- Delivery = 7/10 (loved the black envelope - room for improvement when it comes to feeling like a proprer date)
So the letter 'A' is complete and now the pressure is officially on!
Rebecca x
PS Here are some other letter 'A' suggestions that we've been sent
- Acrobatics at Crossfit London
- Apple martinis at the martini bar at Christopher's in Covent Garden
- African cuisine at Shaka Zulu in Camden
- All Stars Lanes - bowling in Bloomsbury or Holborn
- Afternoon tea (it's a Mad Hatters Tea Party!!) at The Sanderson
