I have been regularly art modeling ( in addition to photography) since November of 2012. I usually work between 2 and 6 sessions a week ( all over the Chicago area...from Park Forest to Greyslake, from Evanston to Gilberts, and all places in between) So that is one of the keys to making a living at it...the ability and the willingness to travel...in all weather. To be working regularly, you need to be on the books at as many different places as possible. Because most of them only book you for one class ( though there are some that book in 3 class blocks...and I recently booked one that will go for a 6 class block)
Though not all Life Drawing/art Modeling is nude,much of it is. I have photographers ask how I can do art modeling, but don't do photography nudes ( except on VERY rare occasions,and specific trusted photographers) Let me tell you, the vibe, the feel, is a very,very different thing. Sitting for a class or a group, and being drawn is totally different than one on one with a photographer. Most of the time, for the classes I might as well be a basket of apples sitting there...I can see it in their eyes...they are breaking me down to shadow,line, shapes, flow...sometimes color. The are measuring me with their pencil( or yes sometimes with their thumb) They are not seeing ME, really at all.
I love working with artists in any medium . The painters, the sculptors, those that work in pastel, graphite, charcoal, watercolors, ink. So many mediums,and so many interpretations of the same pose,the same person. It really fascinates me.
So how does one do this, and be good at it ( so as to be booked more than once) ?
The aforementioned ability to travel. The ability to show up and be on time. ( and if something happens beyond your control,the ability to call and let them know what is going on) Obviously being ok with being nude,and sometime an instructor pointing things out on your body to help the students...not touching you, but typically using a ruler or straight object . Not all instructors will do this but some do...be prepared.
The ability to BE STILL. No matter if you are getting a cramp, or your nose itches....don't move. Sometimes for 25 minutes ( and I have done poses as long as an hour...though those typically are reclining)
The ability to get back into the same pose after a break without much input. ( there will generally be some,but you want to be able to come very close just using the tape marks)
The ability to come up with attractive, unusual and interesting poses and the stamina ( and self knowledge ) to hold them.
I work out almost every day...but I will never have the stamina/ balance for holding poses that another local model, J, has. He is a personal trainer and yoga instructor....So can balance on one foot for 15 min at a time with no wobble...he can hold poses I can't....and that is ok. You have to know what YOUR body does,and does well. I do twisted, curled, angular, emotional poses...that's what I do, and I work on doing them the best that I can, and am always trying to think of new ones.
A typical class is about 2 1/2 to 3 hours, and you will work in sections of 20-40 minutes then break. What happens in those 25 -40 minutes varies wildly between instructors... . Sometimes you will start with some 1 minute poses ( allowing you to do more strenuous things) and gradually work into 5 minute 10 minute, up to 20 minute or longer poses. Sometimes you will do 10 minutes of 10 second poses ( and trust me, near the end of that 10 minutes you are frantically thinking of what to do next...and "did I do this one before?") Sometimes you will be doing just one pose for the entire session ( typical for painting and sculpture) Be open to the different ways of doing things.
What else do you need to know.... don't be a diva. Some classes are chatty, some are not, some play music, some do not, some chew gum and / or snack while working, some do not. Be open and accepting of whatever the class dynamic is. I have heard absolute nightmares of models...( and from models as well) give respect, expect to be respected. If you are not giving respect you won't be called back, if you are not being respected...don't go back, even if they offer. You should always have somewhere out of the way to change, you should have a heater in the winter ( especially if nude) you should get breaks, you should not be touched without permission, you should not have a photo taken without permission. ( and if you aren't comfortable with that, you have the right to say no)
You should always have a robe and slippers for breaks ( the floors of most studios are not clean places...so unless you want the bottoms of your feet black...bring slippers) I also typically will bring a white sheet for a drape ( how many other naked behinds have been on that chair, pillow..etc?) Sometimes I will also bring a big exercise ball, sheer fabric, a big beanbag....different props to work with. It keeps things interesting, especially if you have modeled with the group before.
Art modeling , for me ,is always interesting,and mostly fun....I enjoy meeting the students, the teachers, the coordinators, and seeing what they come up with. So many different visions...each one unique. Don't treat it as a joke, don't treat it as an alternative until something else you would rather do comes along...if you book, show up. And when I say show up...don't sleep walk through it....give your best for the artists sake.
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