To be given a stick of charcoal by a gallery and told to go and draw is an unusual experience for me. Yesterday, that is precisely what happened to me in The Queens Gallery; the gallery is now offering art courses to go along with their exhibitions, Leonardo da Vinci: Anatomist in this case.

The course was led by Sharon Brindle of the Prince’s Drawing School. I felt that Sharon balanced the guidance she was giving to the pupils’ needs (pupils of very mixed experience) – a few pointers in my case, closer supervision to others. My few pointers led to some very good drawing (at least I think so).

The model, Adrian, was excellent. I’ve worked with a few good models, but Adrian treated the role as a creative activity – or, in a good sense, a performance – in its own right. I’m only sorry not to have learnt his surname to give full credit – prehaps one of my readers can assist?

Declaration of interest: I do have a few friends and relations who are connected to the Royal Collection.