Sadie Seuss wrote:
I posted a thread that may have some useful info in it a bit ago, I meant to try to keep it bumped and have the main post updated with everyone's tips but uh....yeah.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/po.php?thread_id=737773

that is an awesome thread.

I've been figure modeling for almost five years. Just local stuff. It's not killer money, but I enjoy it.

I think most of the important stuff has already been mentioned in this thread.

I try to move naturally from pose to pose. After plenty of experience, I know what I look like and I know how it's going to feel ten, twenty or thirty minutes down the road. I treat it almost as meditation. I get super relaxed and sometimes I even get a little drowsy.

Ballet helps. A LOT. And I pride myself on coming up with my own poses. At this point in time, too, I've been doing it for so long, I can generally estimate the amount of time I've been sitting.

It's pretty awesome.

dcsmooth wrote:
One observation on the above comment about the college providing a sheet or blanket to pose on or with. I don't want their sheet or blanket. After seeing a pile of various cloth items in a corner of the dressing area of a well known college, I concluded that they couldn't possibly be sanitary. Think about it. I always bring my own plain sheet or blanket along and use it if necessary, and so does my wife who is also a very experienced art model- 25+ years for her, and 45+ years for me.

You have no way of knowing who was the last person to put their bare bottom on that material, and I can assure you the art instructor doesn't launder it between sessions if ever. I have never seen the linens changed out for others during every week sessions in the same studio, so I don't think they are ever cleaned. In a private gallery session, there is a better chance that they are considerate enough to launder things occasionally but you can never be certain it is done after every session unless you ask. Just bring your own, and explain that you prefer to use the ones you brought unless there is a specific reason why you can't.

Along the same lines you should always be considerate enough to use disposable sanitary wipes in the dressing room before placing intimate parts of your body onto a wooden stool or similar piece of furniture or prop, for the same reasons. Even though you have showered, some time has elapsed between then and the time you arrive at the school or gallery and get undressed to go out and start the session. Might not be a bad idea to arrive a bit ahead of time and wipe the stool too, before the instructor or a lot of students get there.

My wife prefers PJ's or a lightweight sweat outfit that's easy to get in and out of for breaks, and sees no need to cover herself between poses if it is only a matter of a minute getting into the next pose. Since she will likely go out of the studio and down the hall to use the restroom or walk around for a few minutes to loosen up during the break, she feels more comfortable in PJ's or sweats than she would if wearing only a robe.

In addition to taping the pose on the floor or background, an inexpensive digital camera is also very helpful if someone will take 10 seconds to photograph the pose before you get up or move for break. Then you have that as an additional reference for getting back into position.

Yes good point -some places had sealed laundried ones; but others you wouldn't put your dog on it!! So I took my own in case.

I would have a robe unless it was winter then I would just put my fur on in breaks.
I wish I had taken a camera with me every time; not so much for the poses but all the great images/sculpture produced I haven't got a record of

But yes the reference for the pose is always useful to have a camera handly - some of the tutors did that. I used chalk etc too for my 'points' if needing a break from the pose.

Thank you for the input !

DC Sculptor wrote:
Most artists agree they are painting / sculpting a person not a body. It makes your work come more to life.

That applies to photographers as well (we are photographers only because whatever talent we might have with our eyes never made its way down to our hands).

CV Peterson wrote:
I am glad this post is here and people are looking at it again.
Figure modeling can be a very challenging and fun modeling angle. And most Universities and colleges with an art program are always looking for models as well. If you are good at it (aka have interesting poses and can stay still) a model can find him/herself getting offers to model at galleries, museums and schools and all normally pay pretty well too.
But they won’t ask you back if you are not professional or can’t stay still.

All the previously mentioned links are wonderful! Thank you!

Glad this is of continued use to people. I no longer post in forums generally but having a few emails thanking me for this reactivated post I thought I'd pop in and add a few things.

For models.
There are a number of photographers here who look down their noses at life models. They will suggest that it isn't 'proper' modelling and you may as well be a homeless man off the street.

This is because these idiots do not understand what modelling is.  It is true that sometimes a 'real' subject is chosen to life model. But these are just that: 'subjects'. A life model's job is different. The old tramp just sits there and his leather like skin, crumpled clothes etc may be interesting subjects for the artist. But the professional life model's job is to pose.
This may be nude and it may be clothed. It may be long sessions and we too may be portrait subjects sometimes. But what we do as distinct from that is we are asked to strike poses - often dynamic ones for short periods of time (eg two munites). So we need to practice what poses can be held for what periods of time.

Sometimes we may have to strike specific poses for long or lots of short periods of time for individual artists who may be trying to contsruct figure poses for a specific painting. It may be for example for comic book artists. It may be for a grand oil painting where one or two models may play a cast of dozens. It may be for a scupture in which dynamic pose, negative space (or reduction of it to a stylized minimum) and gesture is important. If posing for a specific artwork for an individual artist good comms are essental to understand what it is they are trying to express.

For art classes and institutions the object is generally practice of not just human anatomy but whay the body can do in terms of pose and how swiftly they can capture it. So you may have 2, 5 10, 20 minute poses then culminate in perhaps a more relaxed one of 45 minutes. The latter can be excritiatingly painful if you have misjudged how long this 'relaxed' position can be held for.

Working for Art insitutions and classes is generally well paid. Generally the pay is around £25 an hour in the UK. If you get taken onto the payroll - with your tax and NI paid - the pay may be less but more often. So for example you may drop to £12 or £15 an hour but then you may get 2-5 days a week at 8 hours a day or 4 hours an evening for several weeks.

It is very rewarding work and artists are both male and female. One is never made to feel like a piece of meat/ass and if you are good at it the word soon gets round and you will build up an interesting book of clients. There is NEVER a question of tf and I have dozens of beautiful drawings given to me by artists. One meets fascinating people, gets invited to parties and exhibitions and often there is spin off modelling work with designers and photographers, especially if modelling at top Art institutions. Even architects and fashion designers must hone their skills at drawing the human form so you get to meet people from a wide circle. In addition the work is not generally frowned upon by potentiaL future employers either in modelling or other work.

It isn't about looks. Life modelling can be done by people of all ages and sizes. What one has to be good at to get the work is being able to use one's body to express oneself through pose and gesture. Doing that with grace and elegance is beautiful in itself.



So ignore those who look down their nose at life models I thoroughly enjoyed my time but naturally you have to be in a big city with lots of art institutions and artists working to secure full employment. London provides full time or good supporting part time work for example to hundreds of life models and there are many networks and groups of models who support each other.


For artists. Thank you for appreciating and valuing our contribution to your work.

One thing I will say however is while we understand the need to hold a pose without moving for a time, please do not ask us to go even a minute over. This can cause strain that contributes to long term problems with neck and back. It is not generally professionals who ever ask this of us. It is usually amateurs. Given a short  break and with chalk marks and sight references we can resume. The stopwatch/alarm clock must be respected.

There are sometimes other comfort factors to be taken into account. Draughts and cold, or heat. Once for example I was asked to pose in a garden. I ended up severely sun burned on one side which screwed me for modelling for anyone else for weeks. If asking us to hold something as a prop for a painting please remember sometimes it simply isn't possible for long - try for example just holding a book in gripped hand at your side for long. So try out what you ask of us! What is easy for a few moments can be unbearable after ten minutes.

It's good work and can be very rewarding and it can help one make a decent living or supplement existing modelling income. Those who look down their noses at it because it isn't going to get you in a hip magazine that posing for them tf may - well screw them. One lady sculptor I modelled for was Salvador Dali's muse. One gets a kick out of seeing ones body cast in bronze in a public place. One is often invited to high society events. I have met royals through this work. Nobody in such circles has ever looked down on me for life modelling - on the contrary. So I find it amusing that a minority of mysogenistic idiots on MM sometimes look down on life modelling. Take no notice. There may be no short term glory say getting in a mag may provide but there are other rewards that more than make up for it if you are good at it. And making a decent living and having the utmost respect from those for whom we pose are not the least of them.

Eugenya wrote:
I have been a professional life model for 5 years.  I am just now trying to seriously branch into more photographic work (after a few starts and stops).  I call life modeling "Real Modeling".  It can be so grueling and not glamorous at all.

A few tips of mine for life modeling success (if you're female; males have their own difficulties...):

- Get there at least 15 minutes early, to prepare properly.  You don't want to be all sweaty from running there.  Be at the stage, ready, 5 minutes before the session starts.  Be reliable.  You will get hired more.  Some life models treat it as a hobby, or as extra pocket money, and are quite flaky.  Many artists have told me that they can tell I'm a professional and that they really appreciate it.

- I sit on my own (black) robe when I do seated poses.  It is always nearby and I just quickly reach for it.  Don't sit on sheets that are just lying around there.

- Use a pole to help with variety and balance when doing standing poses.  Raid the place (janitor's closets/back rooms) for brooms that the handles can be unscrewed from.  Replace the handle when the session is over.  Keep the pole lying on the floor next to the stage when you are modeling, so it is handy.

- Never do a pose where you place all your weight on one leg for longer than 10 minutes.  You could injure yourself.  I have learned this the very hard way.

- Don't turn down bookings because you are having your period.  Become the Queen of Tampons (insert the string).  Bring baby wipes/tissues in your bag and use every break to make sure everything is fine and dandy down there before getting back on the stage.  Did I mention how unglamorous it can be?

- To combat drowsiness during long, seated poses, my strategy is to never feel too comfortable.  Sit on a hard stool with no cushion, don't have a heater running nearby, time your coffee drinking for maximum impact, look at the floor when you start the pose so that even if you do close your eyes your face will not really look any different, and have your timer at a prime spot where you can see it without moving your head (it is okay to quickly move your eye focal-point to look at the timer, but don't move your head).  Knowing that there are only a couple more minutes to go in the pose offers psychological peace of mind.

- Do the majority of your standing poses nearer to the beginning of the session,  when you have more energy.  If you do a long pose in which you are standing make sure the next long pose is seated.  You are not there to torture yourself.  Give your body a break--you will be a fresher model for it.  A fresh model is a good model.  Tell this to anyone who makes you hold the pose for another 12 or so minutes when you already felt like you were going to die of pain at the 23 minute mark of a 25 minute pose.  Some artists really don't understand how difficult it is.  You must help them to  be less clueless..........

I guess that's it for now.  It's nice to see other MM models who have this sort of experience.  Life modeling can be very solitary (at least, it is for me...don't know about anyone else on that one).  It's enjoyable to share some of my knowledge.  I hope it helps.

Hi Eugenya
thanks for the input and some great advice there. Particularly important is the 'not lying on sheets that are around there'. Same goes there for photographic studios too. When models before you are nude on those sheets you know there will be possible hygiene issues.

I felt isolated when I first started doing it but when one starts doing it for institutions and educational authorities there are often several models. There are also life model support groups in many cities. If there isn't one where you are maybe consider strating one. It is also of course possible now to start your own with an art tutor - the Dr Sketchy's format even seems very popular. That tends to be in vintage lingerie etc rather than nude but the models are both burlesque girls and art school models.

One of the nicest things I eventually found about life modelling is the support and cover  system with other models. So we had a few dozen of us exchanging numbers and when we were booked for one job and offered another we could then offer that institution another model who was free. So covering for each other and diary's filling up easily via it was important. Art modelling is also a good platform for other modelling. As you say...I think it is the most 'real' modelling because it is gruelling, but one learns about classical pose poise getsure etc. So sometimes you even find fashion models turning up to either study or model. After all this modelling is was way older than photographic modelling. It was and remains also useful for fit and showroom models. So fashion houses tend to like life modelling expereince: they know you aren't in modelling because you think its glamorous, you have patience, and have some grasp of gesture drape and poise. So a lot of life models also do fit modelling. The girl who followed me at Agent Provocateur (I recommended her) was also a life model. So the camaraderie can end up very strong.

It is also useful experience in photographic modelling too. One of the sculptors I worked for was a model for Salvador Dali herself and as a result many photographers also used her including Lewis Morley (Keeler photo) who sadly passed away recently.
Difficult to tell some photographers here that this is real modelling as they either think life modelling is 'getting the kit off' or that it may as well be done by vagrants just paid to sit there. But some appreciate it.

Thanks for adding to the thread which I have been told has been very helpful to a lot of models thus far x

Dollface Jessie wrote:
Thank you all for being so informative! I am an experienced figure model, but I have done all local work. I have recently been contacted by an artist for a travelling job. They informed me that they expect 10+ hours of work per day for 3 days, plus 2 days of travel. All expenses are paid for on their end. Do you have any advice on this and what I should charge per day? I typically work 3-6 hours for $20 hourly, but I know this work will be rather grueling, so I am wondering if I should charge more...

Explain that the two days travelling means two days sacrificed on local work so you will have to charge a slightly higher rate plus travel expenses accommodation and meals. As long as the latter are covered then I think $35 an hour reasonable and if not they will say so.

Sandra Vixen wrote:
As both a model and a life key animator, I find that models need good definition and detail to their poses and able to sustain (isometric) poses for long periods of time.

To be really honest, I've seen a lot bad animator/artists out there, I've posed for a few artists and when I looked at what they drew I had to correct them and ask them to redo it. Teaching them everything from the basics and the break down to the stick and meat.

A lot of artists who are "self taught" are the worst, I'm not saying they are bad themselves, but their work could have been better because they have the drive and passion, but not the training or education behind it.

The artist is just as important because you can have a great life drawing model in front of you but if you can't even draw a stick figure (real artists know what I'm talking about), a real artist can immediately tell it was not drawn from a frame and looks unrefined.

You had to correct an artist and ask them to redo work?  That's not the place of any model.  The only place that is acceptable is in a class where there's an actual teacher.

DivaEroticus wrote:

You had to correct an artist and ask them to redo work?  That's not the place of any model.  The only place that is acceptable is in a class where there's an actual teacher.

It was a class, we invited several art students to come in and draw some dancers.

I had over +15 years of professional experience in life art drawing.

The art students were grateful.

Sandra Vixen wrote:

It was a class, we invited several art students to come in and draw some dancers.

I had over +15 years of professional experience in life art drawing.

The art students were grateful.

Fifteen years?  Intriguing...

That still doesn't mean you get to tell an artist what his or her vision is of a figure, if you're not the teacher of the class.

DivaEroticus wrote:
Fifteen years?  Intriguing...

That still doesn't mean you get to tell an artist what his or her vision is of a figure, if you're not the teacher of the class.

15 years of life art modeling experience?  Impressive,  - - most life art models usually don't start at nine.



Never heard of a life model ordering artist corrections before either - guess I don't have enough experience.

One the other hand - I have a good friend that has life modeled off and on for abut 15 years for real (She's 55 now) - and her observations were much as Eugenya's above about robes - caffeine breaks - staying awake - props.

Some good information there.

DivaEroticus wrote:
Fifteen years?  Intriguing...

That still doesn't mean you get to tell an artist what his or her vision is of a figure, if you're not the teacher of the class.

She's using the Siberian Russian Orthodox calender, 1 year = 100 days.

druidess  wrote:
So much stuff to read! Thanks y'all. I'm in Houston if anyone knows of life modeling here.

Check the art department of your local colleges and universities....U of H, Rice, etc...

Sandra Vixen wrote:
I've posed for a few artists and when I looked at what they drew I had to correct them and ask them to redo it.

That reminds me of a painting I did where I did not give the figure a face... the model said she would not leave until I gave her a face.

I did it with a few flicks of the brush... she was happy and it changed nothing...

In the years that I have had models come pose the few things I would add or reiterate in the list first and subsequently given...

As far as standing still... I would prefer you warn me that you leg, arm, etc is falling asleep so we can take a break. First I would hate for you to suffer... second your quaking or shaking or gutting it out changes your color... often to red and that changes the dynamic of the color on my canvas.

also tell me it the pose it to difficult as soon as possible... preferably during the drawing process so I can stop and re think the composition! (One of my favorite models would have a glass of wine before every sitting. She would almost immediately fall asleep for exactly four hours. She would wake up every time and suggest a break. She was always stunned that it had been four hours and was time to go!)

I have no problem with you talking, so long as I let you know or you ask. 99% of the time it is fine or even welcomed, but if I am working on your face... I need you to hold still in a relaxed manner.

If you are nervous about being nude... that's normal the first few times. Tell me. I am happy to accommodate.

on the flip side... sometimes being to comfortable with your nudity is not good. Nudity adds to the personal space quotient. (unless it is necessary for the image) I am usually so focused during the painting process that it always shocks me to see you naked.... especially when you come up behind me to see the progress...

I have often said that I will likely make more money from the book I write about my life as a painter than from my paintings. I seem to be a personal life magnet... I really don't mind. I'm just saying this as a warning... maybe someday your story will be in my book?

Art models rarely get paid the big bucks... partially because it is tradition. Second is that it may take me three or four sittings to complete the canvas and I can't afford to add $1000 to the cost of the painting. Lastly, there is very little commercial value to paintings. I and many other painters are not painting you, but a likeness of you and thus it does not make either one of us any money beyond the painting... (or prints if that is the artist's thing) To me you are invaluable for your color, line, shape and how you react with the light. How you do it is unique and is part of what makes my work great... but it isn't about the make-up, hair, waxing, etc... that is required for photo work either.

The great ones it has been a calling. They are a collaborator in making the art... they relinquish something to me visually and I do my best to honor it.

I was just honored in a juried show in Philadelphia. One of the three model who posed for the painting came to the opening. She reminded me that it was every friday for eight months at four hour sittings. All three models did it for free... They have traveled to Paris, NYC and Philly to see themselves on the walls of galleries and museums. I hope I sell it one day so I can surprise them with a portion of the proceeds, but as this models said... it was a great experience and she would do it again.

oh... some housekeeping stuff... Bring your own snack and drink. I will always have something for you, but unless I know up front what you want... likely it will be something like water and maybe fruit. (champagne for those who ask)

I do my best to launder the model stand linens after each pose, but I hate having to deal with your stains...

please call if you are running late. I personally worry... the dad in me starts thinking that something happened to you.

if you are going to flake... no problem, just let me know so I again don't worry. Somedays you just don't feel like it. I will be mad, but will get over it if you reschedule.

lastly... ask any question you want. I hate feeling like there is something you want to say or ask and you don't... the biggest one is can you see the work in progress... some artists don't like you to see unfinished work, but I don't care... just ask! I had one model storm out at the end of a sitting. She was visibly upset but didn't say a word... I wrote her asking her if there was something I did... I come to find out that she was insulted that posing wasn't like on the titanic... (you know... ) I told her that she should have said something! I'm not a mind reader. We could have talked it out. (I am married so nothing would have happened, but at least there would have been no misunderstanding!)