Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Life modelling. Gulp.

27 replies

Eyesopenwideawake · 02/10/2024 08:43

Just volunteered to do a couple of hours life (nude) modelling. Not something I've ever considered before but think it will be a good way to challenge my body hangups (skinny limbs, fat belly).

Any tips from people who've done it before?

OP posts:
cannotfindanickname · 02/10/2024 12:32

Following with interest. I am an artist. I have not life modelled but have thought about it, still considering it. You say you volunteered? They should be paying you for this.

toycat · 02/10/2024 12:35

Yes you should be getting paid!

I've done it a few times. Make sure it's a proper set up with a heater 😁 Bring a robe and you can wander round in the breaks and check out the drawings.

Long poses are hard to hold, to make sure you're comfortable.

JustAMiddleAgedDirtBagBaby · 02/10/2024 12:37

When I did life drawing years ago I remember the model saying she took off underwear and socks at least three hours beforehand so there were no marks from clothing on her body.

Agree they should be paying you. I considered doing it when I was pregnant as apparently that's quite sought after but in the end just couldn't imagine being comfortable for that long unless I was just allowed to lie down throughout!

Eyesopenwideawake · 02/10/2024 13:36

I am getting paid, which is a pleasant surprise!

@JustAMiddleAgedDirtBagBaby (love the name!) - good idea, reminiscent of Calendar Girls, thanks.

OP posts:
Dramalady52 · 02/10/2024 13:58

Did it years ago when I was young and several stone lighter. Definitely make sure they have heat for you. The teacher generally put me in seated or lying poses, I frequently had a nap whilst being drawn. They would wake me up for the coffee breaks. Standing poses should be done with breaks at least every 15 minutes.

CrystalSingerFan · 02/10/2024 15:47

I've not modelled, but as an amateur artist I've done loads of life drawing classes and really appreciated the variety of models who turned up and sat for us.

Here's some guidelines I just found online which match up with the behaviour of all our best tutors/classes/venues: https://www.paddockartstudios.co.uk/guidelines-for-life-models

Good luck.

Guidelines for life models | Paddock Art Studios

https://www.paddockartstudios.co.uk/guidelines-for-life-models

Oceangreyscale · 02/10/2024 16:28

I've not done it but been to many classes.
Wouldn't worry at all about sock marks etc, it's not photography, they can just not draw/paint them.
Yes to robe and heater.
It's nice to draw a variety of body shapes. Will be interested to hear how it goes.

Rhdlj · 02/10/2024 16:37

I worked for many years as a life model, good memories. You definitely should be getting paid, its not voluntary work.

Eat a decent meal an hour or so beforehand - its quite strenuous work holding a pose and you don't want to feel faint or hungry in pose. Take a bottle of water with you. Accept a biscuit in break time - helps with energy!

Bring your own robe. I used to have discussions about the pose with the teacher while wearing the robe, then when it was decided what the artists wanted I'd remove the robe and get in pose. Robe back on after the pose. I remember some artists used to talk about another model they used that walked around naked in between poses and it made them uncomfortable so don't do that haha. Its art, not naturism.

Also decide how you feel about photographs - some artists used to ask if they could take a photo of me to work from the photo, but I generally only allowed a photo of say a hand or a foot to help them with getting the detail. I didn't agree to full body photographs. So thats something to decide your stance on if you're asked. You don't want to feel put on the stop and agree to something you're not happy with.

They should provide you with a heater or have had the heating on before you get there.

Try out some poses at home first - you need to know what you are comfortable with. I.e. standing poses are generally only possible for short periods (in my case). Make sure any longer pose is truly comfortable, e.g, avoid posing with your neck held at an unnatural angle, or with all your weight supported on a small area...things like that. Small niggles become excruciating if you're not comfortable.

Warm up before hand if possible. I used to park my car a bit further away from the venue and walk half a mile or so there, to get the blood flowing. Helped with getting rid of any anxiety / nerves too.

You'll be fine - it feels a bit strange at first but soon becomes second nature.

Eyesopenwideawake · 02/10/2024 16:49

Thank you all, some really good tips. Feeling strangely excited now - will let you know how it goes (no idea when it's happening).

OP posts:
Positivenancy · 02/10/2024 16:53

I used to do it when I was a college student (about 20 years ago) and even then I was paid 25 for the hour!! I used to just pretend no one was there, sometimes I even fell asleep 😂

whatsinmypockets · 02/10/2024 17:10

I did it for a long time – mum was an artist so I was often 'rented out' for classes and her artist mates 😂

Don't try and be too interesting – I remember twisting myself into all kinds of awkward poses when I first started, forgetting that actually the human body is complex enough without any contortion! No dramatics required; a simple twist of the torso, a bent limb, or crossed / interlaced fingers will give people plenty to play with.

Bring something to think about – a question, a problem, a plan. It's interesting how your mind can go to work on a topic when there's nothing for your body to do, and it helps the time pass quicker.

Agree pose lengths ahead of time, and don't over-commit to try to please. Agree with the PP who said to practice to get to know your tolerances in different positions – it's amazing how fast a 'comfortable' position can become awful once a certain time slips by.

BobbyBiscuits · 02/10/2024 17:31

I used to do it. You have to be able to stay still for ages. I always did it when I was pretty stoned! It was often fucking freezing too.
It's really fun seeing all the pictures of you at different angles at the end. Lots of Japanese students painting my arse in bright green chalk paint! Be careful not to do any gigs that seem dodgy though. I had to stop as quite a few perverts would contact me. This was when I was 18 though.

ItWasOnAStarryNight · 02/10/2024 18:12

How much are they paying you? Interested to hear how it goes!

NahNotHavingIt · 02/10/2024 18:15

cannotfindanickname · 02/10/2024 12:32

Following with interest. I am an artist. I have not life modelled but have thought about it, still considering it. You say you volunteered? They should be paying you for this.

I know quite a few people through my work who have life modeled and never known any of them to get paid.

It's a very popular thing (tonnes of MN threads about it in the past too), so they really don't need to be paying people.

NahNotHavingIt · 02/10/2024 18:19

Actually now I've thought about it, they might have to pay models under 40.

But for middle aged men and women, it's often a 'bucket list' thing, so rarely a shortage of volunteers.

Donotpanicoknowpanic · 02/10/2024 18:19

If you have not been naked in front of a group of people before

Try going to a naturist swimming club first

Might help you relax and be more confident

Well done for trying it

Stravaig · 02/10/2024 19:34

First of all, don't worry too much! If it's a regular class, then the person running it should be adept at making their models comfortable. They should provide a robe, adjust the heat to your liking, make sure you're in a comfortable position that's easy to hold, and ensure a respectful attitude in class.

That said! Bring your own robe/huge jumper if you prefer to. Ask for the temperature to be adjusted to suit you. Speak up if the pose feels too exposing. Speak up when you're in physical discomfort and need a break.

Don't get fancy with the pose unless you're super fit and strong and bendy. Even the clichéd 'lying with head propped up on hand' is incredibly hard to hold for a first-timer. There's a reason so many nudes are reclining!

If they want complicated action poses they'll recruit at the climbing wall (my first few times) or invite the local farmgirl (my second, regular gig) :D

When it's time for a break, don't move immediately. Take a few seconds to think about how your body is arranged - it'll help you get back into position afterwards. Then move out of pose slowly, in case you've cramped up.

Smartphones and photos weren't a thing in my day, but I'd hope there are clear boundaries preventing their use.

Anything feels wrong to you, at any time, speak up! Working from a naked body is precious, so your comfort, on all levels, is crucial. Without you, it's a bleeping bowl of fruit again. Remember that!

I've assumed an art class, but it all applies to a solo session too.

For me, there is nothing quite like the quality of seeing, of attention, that you receive as a life model. Everyone is totally intent on some aspect of you, as they observe it, in minute detail; and yet it is not at all personal. The artists are focused on lines and shapes and colours, trying to capture what they see, each so differently, expressed in a multitude of ways. In the right setting, it can be a very special experience.

Edit: ps. I was always paid!

toycat · 02/10/2024 20:23

Ooh another tip - at the classes I did, they did a series of short poses at the beginning. These are usually harder to hold, so worth practicing a few maybe in front of a mirror to see which look cool but are also ok to hold for 1 min/2 min/ 5 min etc

Eyesopenwideawake · 02/10/2024 21:50

I was justing thinking about the last time I was naked in public and it was in a steam room in a hotel spa, where I found myself sharing a bench with the actress Rosemary Leach (this would be in the 90's). I instantly thought about asking for an autograph...doh!!!

I'm 61 and reasonably well muscled - horses keep you fit - but dislike my tummy/side profile so will be interesting to see the results. The person in charge is a friend/former client so not worried about any aspect of security or comfort.

OP posts:
Stravaig · 03/10/2024 09:10

Oh the riding will stand you in good stead, that's brilliant! Don't worry about 'looking good', or grooming, or elastic marks, or anything like that. Everything that modern society would consider an imperfection is, to an artist, something wonderfully interesting to draw or paint or sculpt. I think that's part of why the quality of attention feels so special.

Rhdlj · 03/10/2024 10:18

NahNotHavingIt · 02/10/2024 18:15

I know quite a few people through my work who have life modeled and never known any of them to get paid.

It's a very popular thing (tonnes of MN threads about it in the past too), so they really don't need to be paying people.

This is very strange to me - I worked all over the northwest both in colleges and in hobby groups. I was paid every time. The class leaders were getting paid by the members - it was a business. I had fuel costs, my time, my energy, let alone the fact you're naked in front of strangers. Its absolutely something that should be a paid job.

StarlightLady · 03/10/2024 10:37

I’ve done it in the distant past. I wouldn’t do it now (40s, so younger than the OP), purely because l get stiff if l sit in one position for any length of time. Otherwise l would happily do so.

Those in the class were always kind and friendly and as others have said, ensure heating is adequate. I still chuckle at the thought that someone may still have a picture of the naked me in their loft.

Eyesopenwideawake · 08/11/2024 21:36

Update - I did it! Surprisingly easy to let my thoughts drift away for 15/20 mins at a time and no real embarrassment at 7 women and a guy study my lumps, bumps and hairy legs in silent concentration. Only comment was "your legs are insanely long, I need more paper" 😁

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 08/11/2024 21:58

Dramalady52 · 02/10/2024 13:58

Did it years ago when I was young and several stone lighter. Definitely make sure they have heat for you. The teacher generally put me in seated or lying poses, I frequently had a nap whilst being drawn. They would wake me up for the coffee breaks. Standing poses should be done with breaks at least every 15 minutes.

Ah, Head if Art told me voluptuous people are best for life modelling

Oceangreyscale · 08/11/2024 23:15

Thanks for the update, glad it went well for you!

Swipe left for the next trending thread