Simon Whittle

I am a painter and (occasional) printmaker working principally from life models. I have been photographing my models for many years to create reference works for my paintings. As time has gone by I have become interested in the photos in their own right. I love the play of light across skin, the way fabrics fold and fall, the eroticism of a parted cloth, rich colours, strong compositions, all coming together to tell a story.

I run the Hesketh Hubbard Art Society, which is London's largest life drawing group. We meet once a week in the Mall Galleries, SW1, and around 70 - 100 artists draw from 4 life models. I try to make it a welcoming and relaxed space for both the artists and models, and a lot of good work gets done.In my own work I love working with my models and I see my work as a collaboration with them.

I want to spend more time on my work, make more paintings and photographs, and see where it all goes. I am always evolving, learning, changing, without having a grand plan. Surprise is a very powerful tool for change.