the perfect life model

This almost qualifies as a mystical experience. Chaucer was asleep on the bed with his paws in such interesting positions that I had to draw him, but quickly, before the inevitable movement.

I grabbed a sketchbook and stood over him, hoping to catch as much of the multiple limbs as possible. I drew more and more detail, even shading, and he never even twitched.

Finally I had to stop; it was a *heavy* 9x12 spiral sketchbook and hard to hold. As soon as I lowered the book, Chaucer opened his eyes a teeny bit and made a mumph sound like--can I move now?

I said, "Thank you, Chaucer! and he stretched, just like a life model, glad to be out of the posture.

Mechanical pencil in the Mead Academie sketchbook.