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Underground > Art, Fashion & Design >

What makes a good life model?

Less searchable M0rd4nt

14:21 / 22.07.03

I've been thinking recently about getting back into being an artist's model, but I'm having doubts as to my suitability.

Back in London, I almost signed up for an agency called Bare Facts, who dealt with providing life models for artists and art students. However, I was put off doing so by some of the comments in their literature-- there were a few derogatory remarks about "people who call themselves models", which made me think that an inexperienced amateur would be very unwelcome.

So I'm curious: What does an artist look for in a life model? Are there general traits or abilities that are important, or is this a more specific, personal thing?

How would a person go about learning to be a better model?

15:18 / 22.07.03

I used to do loads and loads of life-drawing. I always found it very calming. Erm... don't have a clue where one could go to research this, but I can list the traits that I found were common among the models I preferred?

Stamina/physical strenght/Agility
This really depends on the purpose of the drawing. I prefer quite dynamic poses. So the model has be able to get into and hold quite strenuous positions.

Character
This becomes more important in portraits. We did have one model, a 75 year old bloke, who couldn't hold a pose to save his life. But he had such an interesting face. (that sounds really nasty, I hope you know what I mean).

Though we did have a girl who conveyed a huge amount of personality in her body language, so I suppose it's not just facial features.

Some drawing ability/appreciation
Simple enough. It's a lot easier to work with a model who has some notion of what you're trying to do.

Friendliness
It also makes a huge difference to be able to take a coffee break with the model and just have a laugh and a chat. The girl I mentioned earlier used to come with the class for coffee and cigarettes. Another guy who used to shout at anyone who walked too close to his mat was a lot harder to work with.

...

Hope that's of some use. I'm sure there are loads of other things, and many traits that can't be so easily quanitified.

at the scarwash

23:48 / 22.07.03

So, Mordant, you've been a life model before. Any good horror stories? My tenure on the stand was fairly uneventful, but I've heard some ugly tales.

01:46 / 23.07.03

yeah, I have done this before. PM if you live around Boston and would like to hire me. or if you would like to know about the listserv I have set up for models and artists and teachers.

another factor: ability to not think of a better pose, break off the first one and do the second.

figure models board here: http://www.biphoto.com/figuremodel/

12:25 / 23.07.03

Ability to hold a pose.

Great body is not necessary - fat is often far more interesting to draw/paint than a well-toned physique.

One of the best life models I've used was a right fat munter but he made for great pictures. If a woman is curvacious I find that more interesting than portraying a stick with tits.

I'm not saying let yourself go, I've had plenty of models in great shape who've been really good - but you don't need to hire a personal trainer and go on the Atkins diet.

Less searchable M0rd4nt

15:09 / 23.07.03

Thanks, all.

No horror stories, really. I only modelled for one term; it was an evening class, mostly retired people. The only dicey moment was when this young lad, underwhelmed by my womanly charms, got bored and started flicking matches at some dead leaves the last class had left on the floor. So I'm standing there in my birthday suit, and the fire alarm goes off. A temporary Arrgh.

18:50 / 23.07.03

I prefer drawing skinnier models to fatter ones. If you're trying to learn about anatomy you have to be able to see the bones and muscles under the skin.

00:14 / 24.07.03

forgot to mention this tip: they love it if you bring in makeup, props or costumes.

02:21 / 29.07.03

Holding a pose (whatever they said above)

I loved modeling! How'd you all find it? I enjoyed it because I could switch off and meditate...like a yoga asana. I thought asanas would be painful until my experience with modeling. (And for your info, I'm gooorgeous naked)

Poke it with a stick

10:18 / 29.07.03

We had a life model in my art school who was forcibly ejected after not only becoming "overexcited" but becoming so to beyond the point of no return. I think he chose the wrong career.
It sounds a really obvious thing to say - but a model that can hold the pose is the most important thing, when all's said and done - too often our tutors would put a model through a horrific series of contortions and wonder why they couldn't keep still.

15:12 / 29.07.03

I think the basics have been covered but - the worst is when the model has a tendency to slouch or shift so slowly, so imperceptibly, that you're struggling w your drawing for 20 minutes before you realize what's going on.
Creativity is important. And this may seem obvious, but I've seen models who don't realize - in a class where everyone's stationary around a central model, please rotate! So I don't have to draw your ass all day long or else keep hauling my easel around.
One of my favorite life models used a rope slung over a pipe on the ceiling, so she could hold leg-in-the-air type poses for a good 20 minutes no problem - the variety was great.