AMBITION
hit with hundreds of art students
are the centre of attention and it feels a bit cold and you get goosebumps. “Your feet are covered in charcoal because the floor is dirty. “While all eyes are on you, you know at times you are being scrutinised by other artists while they paint you. But I do not like modern art, I like classical art. “Classical art is more revealing but I don’t mind that because on a podium I am already sitting naked. Seeing paintings of myself does make me feel proud to be a life model but at times I do not look like the paintings.
“Some artists exaggerate the drawings and make me look bigger than I am but I’ve learned to be OK with that because it is an artist’s impression that matters and it’s their job.
“It doesn’t feel as nice – but it is their job.”
Camberley’s sessions feature sets and props to make it more interesting for artists attending.
The life model can’t believe that she has been featured in so many paintings and sketches over the years.
She added: “It’s a job but I enjoy doing it. It feels a bit like a performance. You get to decide the poses.
“You sit in a podium or stand on it. You can use different props. I feel amazing about my weight and artists truly do embrace it. Although I never got into art school as a student, I got into art school as an art model.”
Joanna Susskind, founder of Scottish life-drawing class All the Young Nudes, said: “Camberley was one of the first life models we worked with.
“She is a lovely, lovely person. Always arrives on time, a delight to work with. The sketchers love drawing her and she seems to have a good time posing too.”