Art Class Modeling

Like many here I've struggled with body image issues for much of my life.

To gain confidence in my body (and also to make some money)  I'm considering posing for an art class. When the job was first offered to me earlier this week I laughed and thought to myself that I'd never do such a thing. But I've been having second thoughts.  It pays really well and I imagine that after modeling nude for a class full of art students I'd never feel nervous in the same way again.  

I don't know anyone who's ever done it and I have no real experience with art, so I was wondering if anybody here had done this before. What was it like? Would you recommend it?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

My brother is an artist, and Ive asked him a few times what its like to draw nude volunteers. He says the whole class has a lot of respect for the models. Its challenging to draw realistic muscles and bone structures, so the students are too focused on replicating what they see to be judging the people's bodies.

More power to you!

Wow, you know, I had the very same thought too. Modeling for art class for confidence boost. And they always have shortage of models because most don't like to bare it all and some people look down upon it. I personally think it's a very noble idea.

From what I have heard when I was researching, it's very professional environment and most students look at you as a human object, for lack of a word, rather than a naked body.

Yea, I pretty much view models like objects while drawing (or wonder how uncomfortable / cold they are holding a pose for so long hehe). At the start they might think "hmm, nice body" or "grrawwr"...but then they get to work and are focused on anatomy and rendering.

Artists spend a LOT of time looking at naked subjects when they are first starting out (pictures, models, whatever)... its like a doctor looking at you during an examination.... they get desensitized (and you will too, it wont be a big deal after a while...your mind will just wander to other things).

I'd rather shove a hot poker through my eye and up into my brain.

Original Post by schnooder:

I'd rather shove a hot poker through my eye and up into my brain.

 why?...you get paid pretty well to just sit there.....

Original Post by loriklorik:

Original Post by schnooder:

I'd rather shove a hot poker through my eye and up into my brain.

 why?...you get paid pretty well to just sit there.....

I would be afraid I would fart or something.

I'd stand there and spread my buttcheeks or something

Original Post by spirochete:

I'd stand there and spread my buttcheeks or something

geez spiro, not EVERYONE wants to see your butthole.

Most do.

I am an art student.  Last year I took three Life Drawing classes.

We usually had older models (yikes) who've been doing it for years and years as a hobby.  They're really confident, it seems... especially with things that can bring you down at that age (ie - gray hairs, saggy boobies, wrinkles, etc.)

We really liked drawing people with great characteristics (muscles, unique facial expressions/features, long hair, etc.)

I'm currently doing it while I look for another full time job. Do lots of stretching beforehand and on the breaks--holding still for anywhere from 5 to 20 minute intervals can be a lot more challenging than it looks! Limbering up between sets helps your muscles not fall asleep so quickly.

Also if you yourself do any drawing I found when I first began art modeling that it improved my own artwork, I developed a better understanding of how the figures sat or moved in space from having done poses for myself.

I like to do figure drawing, but since they don't offer any nude models for artists in my area, I bought a photobook of various typical nude art poses. I find I like drawing the average every day bodies compared to the one or two females with the "perfect" bodies and implants in the book. Also, when I sketch I become so wrapped up in the shapes and the curves, that no matter the body type I always think it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen lol. Especially, if they hold themselves with dignity and confidence. Hope that helped!

Oooh life drawing was actually one of my favourite things about the 'Art Fundamentals' course I took this year.

The first time our class had a nude model, there were a couple of 'oh em gee gais!' glances around the class, as I'm guessing it was the first time anyone had the treat of drawing a naked person. After that class nobody really seemed to bat an eye when the model took off their towel and stuck a pose.

As Lorik said, after a while the artists will be looking at you the same way they would be looking at some fruitbowl... and any raised eyebrows are more likely to be 'How am I supposed to draw that angle? Visual perpective WHAT?!'

i used to do life modelling.  it really does make you more confident. don't get me wrong i was really nervous the first time but after about 20 minutes i just relaxed.  one thing though, standing poses do get tiring. if you do do it, make sure you let them know what you're comfortable with and what you're not.  don't feel like you have to do everything you are asked to.

Lol sulfyr its true about looking at the model like a bowl of fruit. I'm an art teacher and have seen so many bodies that it really isn't a thing. Bums and boobies just become new shapes to draw like apples and oranges!

yea, being in art school I've modeled and drawn from the model.  It's a good way to make money, and you can even bring some props if they'll make you feel more comfortable.

I remember that there was a lot of gossip around the classrooms about the models, but not about their bodies.  It was always "I don't like her because she moves too much in the pose." or "He always takes the same pose over and over, I'm bored with it." nothing like "she is chubby and I don't like it."

I didn't do it myself, but I was an art student and had a couple friends who did it. They said that the hardest thing was staying still in certain poses.

Like cypris, I definitely remember talking about the models, but it was usually things like whether their poses were good or not. Occasionally we would complain when the models were too "generic looking," because it was much more interesting to draw people at the extremes. The only time we really gossiped about a model's body was the first time we had the one who had his privates pierced, along with a giant Jesus tattoo!

I never even considered this as an opportunity to make money. How much money is involved?

Is it best when models can hold unique poses or is that even taken into consideration?

I'm an art student and have taken many figure classes. I don't understand how this is supposed to boost your confidence.. we don't think of figures as beautiful or anything. In fact, we only think of them as objects to study. My teacher would actually get out a laser pointer and trace areas of interest on the model. We just don't think of them as people.

I admit, however, if you're nervous we notice. When you're nervous, you move.. and we get pissed off. Then we will gossip about your poor work after class.

As a graphic designer and artist, I had to take multiple drawing classes...Many of which were from nude models, partially clothed models, costumed models, etc,. My favorites were the models with interesting poses.
I liked all my models, from the short to the tall, fat to thin, muscled to almost wasting away. They were all fun and interesting to draw, and there's always something on a model that makes them fascinating.

Artists think of models as people, but not as a person persay. I see that you're human, female, etc,. but I don't think of you as 'your name', I think of you as the model I'm drawing.

Modeling is fun as well, I haven't done a lot of it, but I've always loved looking at what people come up with from my body/face, etc,.

Bring props, interesting clothes/items with textures and lines that will make drawing more fun. Metallic items are great, ropes, chains, large hats and scarves, billowy shirts and clingy pants...Things that are fun to draw are complex.

Good luck! I think you should do it!