As the gateway to two tantalising days of freedom, Friday nights have a magical allure.
As liberated office workers spill out onto the streets, the capital’s bars and restaurants come to life. Keen to get in on the action, London’s museums and galleries are casting off their straight-laced daytime demeanour with an enticing programme of Friday night “lates.” An alternative world of pop-up bars, free drawing classes and intriguing live music performances are the order of the evening at the National Portrait Gallery.
R/DV/RS National Portrait Gallery
Heading straight for the strategically placed bar in the main foyer, I enjoy a glass of Prosecco before heading to the live music recital. Tonight it’s award-winning electric harpist Maria Christina & the Seven Pedals with a spine-tingling selection of tracks heightened by the Gallery’s startling acoustics. Previous performers include anarchic jazz/classical/pop collective DOLLyman, serving up”adventurous classical and delicately weird rock” renditions.
Feeling suitably chilled, I head upstairs to the free drawing class which takes place every Friday evening. Packed with budding and more seasoned Picassos, I nervously perch on a bench as our charismatic leader, Gayna sets our tasks for the evening.
National Portrait Gallery
Taking inspiration from the Great Masters around us, we each choose a character and create four contrasting facial expressions based on the six key emotions of happiness, surprise, anger, fear, disgust, and sadness.
Choosing a dashing D’Artagnan type with a fetching Movember tache, I set to work on my first picture. Nervously dredging up drawing skills which have not seen the light of day since school, I soon get into my stride. It’s strangely soothing to be in the peaceful sanctuary of the gallery, far from the distraction of phone calls and urgent e-mails. The simple task of putting pencil strokes on the page is completely absorbing and a million miles away from the previous few hours toiling over Excel spreadsheets.
Art work
The first picture (joy) starts off well enough but by the third expression (surprise), things take a ghoulish turn for the worse. The tache is proving tricky and as Gayna points out I’ve done myself no favours in drawing the faces so small. As it appears I won’t be giving up the day job anytime soon, I relax and enjoy the grotesque creations which are uniquely mine. After all, didn’t Picasso also struggle to get the ears and nose in the right place?
Lates take place every Thursday and Friday night at the National Portrait Gallery. For more information visit:http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/lateshift/late_shift_home.php