iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Playing with some new techniques and materials.

Quick charcoal and pastel sketch from a #rawumber image using a new to me scribble technique.

Quick charcoal sketch from a #rawumber image using a new to me scribble technique.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

I finished plate 4 of the Bargue Drawing Course!✨ This one took a while — had a big gap midway as other projects pulled me away, plus working on the family kitchen table means frequent teardown/setup. Feels good to finally wrap it up. A strong early morning win! #Bargue #Charcoal #Charcoaldrawing

Charcoal studies of 8 different ears, all copied from plate 4 of the Charles Bargue Drawing Course.

A photograph of my setup for the Charles Bargue Drawing Course showing an A1 table top drawing board and slide rule. On it are an A2 copy of the Bargue plate and my A3 paper for my drawings side by side.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

I took my first ever drawing class yesterday. Thought-provoking instruction from Kan Muftic - my goodness what talent! These are the best of the day. I hope I can continue to develop the ideas from today. #lifedrawing #figuredrawing #charcoaldrawing

Charcoal sketch of a naked woman reclining, back to the viewer.

Dark charcoal sketch of a naked woman, standing facing the viewer. She is holding a large hoop.

A charcoal sketch of a naked woman slumped over a fabric covered arrangement of pillows, stool and chair. One hand rests on the leg closest to the viewer, the other hangs limply forward, as does her head.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

This was my first life session in a few weeks and I felt a little rusty. Here are my favorite 3. Not fabulous, but not awful either. I used some new-to-me shiny print paper which accelerated smudging in an interesting way. #Lifedraing #figuredrawing #charcoaldrawing

20 minute charcoal sketch of a seated man. Style is loose and scribbled. Highlights indicated with white chalk.

19 minute charcoal sketch of the head and torso of a seated man, viewed from behind, leaning back, head facing to the right. Style is loose and scribbled.

3 x 3 minute sketches of a male figure in different positions. Style is loose and scribbled.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

Bargue plate 3. More challenging curves on this one. Mostly pleased with my attempt. I've just bought new paper which I think will make plate 4 easier both to erase and draw fine lines. 🤞 #Bargue #Charcoal

5 charcoal drawings of classical profiles based on copies of Charles Bargue's Drawing Course, plate 3.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 29/05/2025

I was pleased with some of my composition choices last night - this is the best of them. I think time spent on Bargue copies this week has allowed me to see the model a little differently. #LifeDrawing #FigureDrawimg #Bargue #LeytonstonLifeDrawing

10 minute charcoal sketch of a standing woman facing the viewer. Left arm resting across her body, weight slightly on right hip, gaze down and to the right.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 26/05/2025

Bargue plate 2. More curves and variation in line weight. I've used cheap print paper so far, but for detailed charcoal work I'm beginning to reach its limits. I can see a positive difference between my first and last mouth. So enjoying immersing my self in this. #Bargue #Charcoal

2 sheets of A2 paper clipped onto a drawing board. On the left, Bargue plate 2 - 8 charcoal line drawings of human chins, mouths and lower noses at different angles. On the right are my second stage copies.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

I've just begun the Charles Bargue Drawing Course. These classic 18th century copy lessons get progressively more challenging with each plate. Here is my first attempt at plate 1. Apparently Van Gogh did all 197 at least twice. I hope a little of his inspiration rubs off on me. #Bargue #Charcoal

A charcoal line drawing of a human eye, socket and bridge of the nose copied from The Charles Bargue Drawing Course. Single vertical and horizontal guide lines cross in the centre to help with the accuracy of the copy.

A photo shows a large board propped up vertically holding two portrait A2 sheets of paper side by side. The sheet on the left is the copied work in progress. On the right a print out of the first plate from the Charles Bargue Drawing Course showing 12 line drawings of individual human eyes. Charcoal, plastic dividers and a kneadable eraser sit on the edge of the table at the front of the image.

A photo showing 12 line drawings of the human eye socket copied from the first Bargue plate.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

Last night was so encouraging. I can see real improvement in my expression of light and shadow and the proportions came together fairly well too. It makes me so happy when I glimpse how it must feel to draw confidently and competently. #LeytonstoneLifeDrawing #FigureDrawing #LifeDrawing

15 minute charcoal sketch of a naked standing woman. Hands on hips, left leg raised slightly on a small yoga block.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 08/05/2025

Last night's class gave me 3 drawings I didn't hate. Mostly due to the small improvement in shading. Each one has elements that show promise despite none of them being very good as a whole. It's encouraging. Fab life modeling from ModBodAdrian #LifeDrawimg #FigureDrawing #LeytonstoneLifeDrawing

Charcoal sketch of a standing man's back, one arm raised with hand resting on head, one hand on hip.

Charcoal sketch of the front of a standing man's torso, hands clasped, arms raised above head, lifting to the right.

20 minute Charcoal sketch of a naked man laying on his back. Right knee bent, left arm raised to rest on his head.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 02/05/2025

I tried new charcoal on Wednesday. Here is my best pencil sketch - which tells you all you need to know about that experiment. #LeytonstoneLifeDrawing #LifeDrawing #FigureDrawing

14 minute pencil sketch of a crouching woman, back to viewer, one leg extended behind her.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

A new occasional Monday class with longer poses allowed me to grapple with shading and facial features with mixed results. The proportions and likeness are tolerable, but my shading is still a bit of a car crash. It's all good practice though. #LifeDrawimg #FigureDrawimg #LeytonstoneLifeDrawing

70 minute charcoal sketch of a topless man with short hair.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

A fun exhibition at Electric Dreams yesterday. www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tat...

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

I thoroughly enjoyed trying to capture this pretzel like prone twist. I do wonder if sometimes the complicated poses force me to pay more attention, resulting in a better sketch? #LeytonstoneLifeDrawing #LifeDrawing #FigureDrawing

20 minute charcoal sketch of a prone woman in a twisted pose.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

I experimented with the camera lucida for the first time last night on some of the shorter poses. Fun, but much practice needed. Excellent modeling from @steveritterlife #lifedrawimg #figuredrawing #cameralucida #cameralucidaart

3 x 3 minute charcoal sketches of a standing figure.

15 minute charcoal sketch of a standing man, side to viewer.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Prepping for tonight's class I realize that I didn't post any sketches from last week. I definitely saw more relationships between angles during this class. I wonder and hope if this is how I will master proportions eventually? #lifedrawing #figuredrawing

25 minute charcoal sketch of a standing woman, one hand on hip.

20 minute charcoal sketch of a seated woman, head turned away from the viewer.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

Attempted to focus in on the torso last night. Not amazing, but it's all practice. I think my proportions are improving if not my shading. #lifedrawing #figuredrawing

20 minute charcoal sketch of a man's back, one arm clasped behind.

23 minute charcoal sketch of a man's torso.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 20/03/2025

I was fairly happy with my progress last night. Even my 3 minute warm up sketches are sassy and more confident. I tried larger compositions than normal and focused on tone for the longer 20 minute poses. Both feel like small steps forward. #lifedrawing #figuredrawing

2x3 minute charcoal gesture drawings of a standing woman.

20 minute charcoal sketch of a standing woman, one arm outstretched, one hand on hip. Mostly tonal with little detail.

20 minute charcoal sketch of a head and torso. Mostly tonal, little detail.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Six hours of life drawing yesterday. Mixed results with some small progress in shading, particularly in the longest pose. Time spent drawing was completely in flow. Good for the soul. looking at my actual drawings afterwards though is inexpressibly frustrating. #LifeDrawing #FigureDrawing

Partial charcoal sketch of a seated woman showing lower torso and legs.

Charcoal sketch of a seated woman leaning back slightly, one leg raised.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

"I used to sometimes try to catch her, But never even caught her name." Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how beautiful and whimsical these Cure lyrics are. Thank you. #Thecure

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

A frustrating evening followed a petty, frustrating day. This last sketch was my only tolerable work from the session. Yet somehow the grumpiness worked its way out of me in the process of drawing badly, so I guess I got exactly what I needed from it. And so it goes. #lifedrawimg #figuredrawing

25 minute charcoal sketch of a seated female.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

This morning's family walk by the Long Water was breathtaking.

Photograph showing a misty landscape with a long, straight, brick lined waterway and low bright morning sun behind bare trees. A path and high garden wall frame the right of the shot.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

I managed good proportions for this 20 minute pose last night. The anatomical markers I've been learning about came in handy. Not my best night, but small steps in the right direction. #Lifedrawimg #Figuredrawing

20 minute charcoal sketch on light paper of a young woman standing, arms raised, hands behind her head. White chalk highlights on one side of the body.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 20/02/2025

Given the difficulty of the foreshortening, I'm not mad about how this came out. Fabulous poses from @azlifemodel #Lifedrawing #Figuredrawimg

20 minute charcoal sketch on white paper of a reclining woman, one knee raised, hands behind her head.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

This is how it's going in my corner of London. How about you?

Signage, dark green text on cream background saying - Our lambs are rice-sponsible!

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 13/02/2025

During the week I learned a little anatomy. Clavicles, the long muscle that runs from the top of your rib cage to behind your ears (sternocleidomastoid - thanks for asking) and front shoulder arrangement. Only relevant to one pose last night, but hey, small steps. #lifedrawing #figuredrawing

3 x 5 minute sanguine charcoal sketches of a naked man. Two standing, one kneeling. One figure has minimal white chalk highlights. The composition overlaps.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Week 5 - a few glimpses of shapes and planes, rather than limbs and body parts. The moment I realized I was seeing that way, it vanished. But I'm encouraged by the brief perception shift. The model's beautiful prone pose was a huge challenge. All that foreshortening - Maddening!

25 minute charcoal sketch of a woman laying on her back, one arm above her head, one knee raised.

20 minute charcoal sketch of a standing woman, weight on one hip, one arm wrapped around her stomach.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

I took my old easel with me last night and really enjoyed the increased freedom of movement it gave me, drawing more from the shoulder than the hand. These are my best. 2x3 mins 1x10 min #lifedrawimg

2 crouching figures roughly sketched in charcoal on a pale background.

Seated male nude, one arm raised and resting on a pole. Roughly sketched in charcoal on a pale background.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

This was my best sketch of the evening. However, even some of my 3 minute gesture drawings came out looking fairly human, which is encouraging. For me, week three was less of a panic but with more swearing under my breath when the timer sounded at the end of every pose. This is progress.

20 minute charcoal and chalk sketch of a seated woman.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

At life drawing last night nothing really came together for me on paper, despite the brilliant model. But it is so absorbing, so engaging. I can only look forward to the joy of improving a little each week. Always longing to be the person I am not quite yet.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Tonight's best sketch. 10 minutes. Charcoal. Model: Dwayne/ DMAC @dmaclifedrawing

Grey A3 landscape paper with a heavy charcoal sketch of a sitting naked man.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Tried out a great new life drawing class this evening. Buzzing with the joy of it. Here is my best sketch of the night. 20 mins. Charcoal. I can't wait to see the difference regular attendance makes. SO much to improve on.

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Helen @pummell.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

This morning, despite a surprising* number of side quests and nested sub tasks, I finished this small kitchen project. I keep casually walking past and opening the draw to admire its well ordered calmness. *to absolutely no one but me.

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