Greyhound Life Drawing Class Challenges Artists in Eltham
At a greyhound life drawing class held by Greyt Greys and hosted by TKO Tattoos in Eltham, Victoria, artists gathered to sketch the distinctive shapes of greyhounds and whippets. The event, which sold out in about two days, raised funds for Greyt Greys, a rescue service that rehabilitates greyhounds. Participants included experienced life drawers and newcomers, all facing the unique challenge of capturing the breed's anatomy.
The class featured two models: Nina, a small black greyhound, and Fettuccine, a white whippet wearing a striped jumper. TK, the tattoo parlour owner, noted that they have lived with these dogs since childhood and now host the monthly classes to support the rescue. Victoria has one of the largest greyhound racing industries globally, with thousands of dogs needing rehabilitation annually.
Anatomical Challenges and Artistic Techniques
Artists struggled with the dogs' unusual proportions, including what one participant described as 'reverse chicken legs.' Charlotte, a greyhound owner of four dogs, explained that there are six greyhound 'faces.' The dogs frequently moved, making it difficult to hold poses. TK provided reference cards showing how to construct greyhound joints using circles and other shapes, similar to the Loomis method for drawing human heads.
Josh Nicholas, a participant, noted that he kept drawing the whippet's face too narrow and mucking up the angle of its hind legs. Another participant, Emma, said she kept ignoring the paws due to their complex joint structure. Despite the challenges, the class produced a variety of sketches in pencil and charcoal.
Fundraising for Greyhound Rescue
The event raised money for Greyt Greys, through which TK adopted Nina. TK's mother also rescued greyhounds, instilling a lifelong affinity for the breed. The class was held at TKO Tattoos, a small industrial building in Eltham, about 20km north of Melbourne's centre. The next fundraiser is scheduled for 8 August at 10.30am at the Round Shader Club in Eltham.
By the end of the session, Nicholas was not overjoyed with his drawings, attributing the difficulty to his need for practice rather than the dogs' anatomy or movement. He plans to bring treats for Fettuccine next time.
