Questions about life drawing
Giannico / G-Niko
I have thought about posing nude for life drawing in the past. One
problem, though: I have a barrel for a gut. Every time I see someone
drawn on paper, they are always built like a Greek god or goddess. Is
there a discrimination among certain types of human figures? Isn't
life drawing supposed to appreciate the human body in all forms? If
they do, why don't we see it more often in modern art?
These are some of the questions that stir my apprehensions about posing
nude. I want to do it, but I need a justifiable reason for doing so.
I want to learn how to be a life drawing model. I also wish to make
some extra income to put into my college expenses. I am an English
major, studying to be a writer.
Any responses are greatly appreciated. I can also be reached at
griffi...@worldnet.att.net as well. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
--
Sincerely,
Giannico (G-Niko)
Cleveland, Ohio
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Erik A. Mattila
Should be no problem, Giannico. I don't think that there's any physical
standards at most schools. I've done plenty of life drawings, and many
times the models who were not gods or goddesses were the best in terms of
interesting subjects.
It's hard work though. I have a lot of respect for a good model.
At any rate, you can discuss your concerns with the art departments your
looking at. I would be surprised if there was any discrimination,
although I can imagine an instructor looking for a certain type.
I just remembered an incident. The instructor on one class I took several
years ago had a female model come in and sprawl seductively on a Harley
Davidson. The whole class rebelled, and the radical feminists had a
shit-fit. At the end of the semester, the instructor gave us all "D"
grades. Nice guy.
Erik Mattila
Chris
"Erik A. Mattila" wrote:
>
> I just remembered an incident. The instructor on one class I took several
> years ago had a female model come in and sprawl seductively on a Harley
> Davidson. The whole class rebelled, and the radical feminists had a
> shit-fit. At the end of the semester, the instructor gave us all "D"
> grades. Nice guy.
>
Jeez, I'd rebel too! What a waste of a Harley!
G-Niko: I do a fair bit of life drawing, and I know that in the groups I
am in there is very little interest in 'perfect' bodies, unless one is
doing specific exercises in muscle definition, etc. The two best models
I've seen were 'oversize' and far from perfect, while the absolute worst
was a yoga instructor who had a body to die for (and I wish he had, at
least then he could have held a pose LOL..). If you have never done it
before you might want to practice a bit, so you don't stick yourself in
a 4 hr. pose that a sane person wouldn't try for 5 minutes. Also talk
with the instructor to find out what they are looking for - for example
a sometimes it is necessary to do a large number of very brief poses,
and if you aren't prepared, it is difficult to transition between them
smoothly, and to consistently generate interesting ones.
As for why to do it - better to ask why not? It's enjoyable, physically
challenging work, if you are relatively fit (I did it 30 years ago, but
not now!). It is usually moderately well paid, and great for seeing how
other people see you.
Regards,
Chris
--
"Art is the supreme manifestation of individualism" - Oscar Wilde
Artwork: http://www.gammarat.com
Jaxart
>I have thought about posing nude for life drawing in the past. One
>problem, though: I have a barrel for a gut.
Some of the best models I've seen have been people with
less than ideal figures. BUT -- the BEST of them were all
natural-born exhibitionists who did not see themselves
as others might.
I recall one charming elderly lady in particular
who was a favorite in the art community, highly sought after
as a model in spite of her advanced years. She had been a
dancer in her earlier days and still had some of the
gracefulness that dancers possess, if no longer the figure.
No one had to tell her
how to pose or what looked best -- she knew instinctively.
And she enjoyed 'performing' even if the pose was a long
and difficult one for her.
On the other hand I've had to try and work with models
who were NOT comfortable with themselves even though
they had nice figures. They are the worst! If the model
is uncomfortable posing then the artists/students are
going to be affected by that model's attitude too.
The best life drawing sessions are ones where everyone
feels relaxed, harmonious, and inspired. An experienced
model goes a long ways toward creating the atmosphere
for the session.
--
============================================================
For a unique art experience visit:
http://www.zianet.com/jaxart/index.html
============================================================
Giannico / G-Niko
Chris <bro...@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>
"It is usually moderately well paid, and great for seeing how
> other people see you."
>
I have always been interested on how well life drawing models are
paid. Do you have some kind of ballpark figure. You said moderately
well. Define that for me. If it is pretty good, I could use it partly
for living expenses. Any kind of information you can spend is greatly
appreciated. Thank you.
--
Sincerely,
Giannico (G-Niko)
Cleveland, Ohio
Chris
in the early 70's, it was around 7.50/hr, so it certainly hasn't kept up
with inflation).
Chris
Giannico / G-Niko wrote:
>
>
> I have always been interested on how well life drawing models are
> paid. Do you have some kind of ballpark figure. You said moderately
> well. Define that for me. If it is pretty good, I could use it partly
> for living expenses. Any kind of information you can spend is greatly
> appreciated. Thank you.
> --
> Sincerely,
>
> Giannico (G-Niko)
> Cleveland, Ohio
>
> Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
> Before you buy.
--
Richard Budig
Giannico / G-Niko wrote:
> I have thought about posing nude for life drawing in the past. One
> problem, though: I have a barrel for a gut.
I went to life drawing at the U of NE every Wednesday night for several
years. Over that time, we had all kinds of models. Of course, we had a
couple who were good and consistent. BUT, for most of the serious artists,
there, the thing wasn't whether the model was terrific (in build, or
anything else) so much as it was about finding shapes, patterns, contrasts
of light, and especially edges. Myself and other often "zoomed in" on some
part of the model for close studies of how the breast blocked light and how
the shadow fell down across her ribs, etc.
Speaking personally, models with "rounded" forms presented my most serious
challenges. A nice, bony female presents all kinds of angles and shadows .
. .something you can hang a pencil on. But softer forms make you reach and
search to find interesting light patterns. For me, life drawing -- or any
drawing -- is about form, shape and lost and found edges.