From: kaine@phylo.life.uiuc.edu (Brian Kaine)
Newsgroups: rec.nude
Subject: Art Modeling
Date: 4 Oct 92 16:49:30 GMT
Article-I.D.: phylo.kaine.718217370
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

Hi!  This is my first posting to this newsgroup.  Until now I have just been
a member of the silent majority.

I am currently employed as a research biologist and have occasionally
worked part-time as a figure model since my college days.  This has
included modeling for life drawing classes at universities (most recently
here at UIUC) as well as for a number of independent workshops and
individual artists.  Hopefully I can provide a few answers to some of the
questions recently asked here.

Since I began modeling in college I have worked at three different schools.
The routine in most life drawing classes has been pretty much the same
everywhere.  Most university art studios have a small dressing room
(actually a glorified closet) where I undress and put on a robe before the
class begins.  In the center of the studio is a small posing platform,
perhaps three feet high.  The platform serves to elevate the model so as to
reduce the effects of perspective for the students.  Classes usually
consist of about 15 students, who draw at easels or desks arranged in a
circle around the posing platform.  When class begins, the instructor gives
a brief talk about the work to be done for the day, and then asks me to
disrobe so that the students can begin to draw.  At this point I take off my
robe, step nude up onto the platform, and begin a series of gesture
poses.  These are short poses of my own design, held for about one minute
each.  They serve as a general warm-up exercise for both myself and the
students.  The students make only rapid sketches at this time.  After about
ten of these poses, the instructor then directs me into one or more poses
of his or her choice.  These poses are held for much longer periods,
occasionally for as long as 50 minutes.  Poses may be standing, sitting, or
reclining.  These longer poses usually accentuate a specific portion of the
body, which the students are expected to draw in detail.  At the end of the
longer poses, the students and I are given a break.  Classes are usually
three hours in length, and consist of three 50 minute drawing periods
punctuated by 10 minute breaks.  During the breaks I put on my robe and
talk with the students or simply relax.

All the schools for which I have worked required figure models to pose
completely naked, at least in life drawing and figure painting classes.
Occasionally I have posed in my robe or in street clothes, usually in a
class for non-art majors.  I have never been to a nude beach so I cannot
say how nude modeling would compare to that experience.  Although the
atmosphere is definitely nonsexual, being nude in a roomful of clothed
strangers does take a little getting used to.  After a while, however, you
realize that the students are there to learn, and that you are making a
contribution to their education.  I have never had any bad experiences, and
have always been treated with the greatest respect by the students and
their instructors.

Modeling for independent workshops is similar, although somewhat less
structured.  These workshops are usually organized by people who pursue
art as a hobby and wish to share the cost of a model.  Sessions are often
held after hours or on weekends in schools, community centers, and even
church basements.  As in formal life drawing classes, I have always been
asked to pose entirely nude.

As far as earnings are concerned, I have been paid anywhere from $5 to
$15 an hour.  College classes represent the low end (student labor = slave
labor) while independent drawing workshops are usually more generous.
Occasionally I will model for workshops or individual artists in exchange
for artwork rather than a fee.

I would advise anyone interested in this type of work to please think very
carefully about it.  It is not by any means an easy job!  You have to know
what poses are interesting to draw and should realize that the best poses
are often very uncomfortable.  A pose held easily for a few minutes often
becomes pure torture after half an hour.  Most importantly, you should not
model if you feel the least bit embarrassed or self-conscious about it.
There is no place for inhibition in an art class, as the students can and do
see everything.  Students can sense if the model is ill at ease, and it
makes them uncomfortable as well.  They deserve better than this!

Over all, I have found modeling to be a pleasant experience.  In my
scientific training I have been schooled in both anatomy and physiology,
and have thus developed a great appreciation for the artistic
representation of the human form.  Most artists and art students have been
a pleasure to work with.  They are creative, are open to new ideas, and are
genuinely friendly people.  That is the real reason why I still model.

I hope this answers some of the questions people have asked.  If anyone
wants to know more, please post here or feel free to send e-mail to me.

                                                 -Brian

--
------------------------------------------
Brian P. Kaine
Department of Microbiology
University of Illinios at Urbana-Champaign
E-mail address: kaine@phylo.life.uiuc.edu
------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.nude