I have no problem with modeling nude. In the art world it's no different than modeling with clothes on.

Actually in my recollection of all my figure drawing classes, it is harder than hell to draw a person with cloths on. It is much easier when you can see the muscle and bone structure.

But you are right, in the art world it is no different clothed or nude.

I'm glad you both agree! Thanks for your comments. I think for both M and me, the moment of hesitation arose because we had temporarily blurred the boundary between personal and art worlds, naked and nude. Over it now, though, hehe.

I didn't actually believe it until I picked up a camera and started shooting seriously, but the art context does de-sensualize things somehow. It's odd, and I don't understand it, but it's true.

I've always found it easier to draw clothed figures. Clothes give you more artistic license, because they shift about and change shape. You can easily get away with an extra fold in a dress - but if you go a bit wrong on a bare limb or torso it can throw off your whole drawing.

In the classes I've taken, we've had all types of bodies to draw, not simply the glamor model bod types. You learn to appreciate many types of human forms this way as well as how to craft light and angles more effectively. One of my favorite models was a guy I found at a cabaret type show, he posed for us mostly nude wearing only a full Indian headdress, seems he was part Native American. Made for a fun session, interesting drawings, and some good black and white photographs.

I can imagine that man on the bus always wanting to ride on the top after that! LOL

I have modeled nude many times. I am so used to it that I don't even give it a second thought. I am used to working with a wide variety of students from university age and up and find that the vast majority are very appreciative and respectful when they have an opportunity to work with a GOOD model. The issue of being nude or not is generally very much overblown. The nude aspect will get a model to the modeling platform. The quality, variety, and professionalism of the model and poses is what will keep the model there. Modeling is not about being nude. It is about creating interesting poses to motivate and interest the artists.

Would you take your clothes off in the name of Art?

In the name of art? Doubtful. In the name of sex, absolutely.

-Glen

Glen, Glen, Glen--were it not for the art of the nude, where would you have gotten your baser inspirations? Seriously, though, the art of the nude is one of the most challenging aspects for a photographer or painter. It may apply even moreso for the model.
When the two work together to create art, memorable pieces emerge. And sex is the furthest thing from your mind when you're doing it.

I like my art class. We have beautiful female nudes which I like to look at. Im not an artist, I just like looking at nude females as long as they are beautiful. I just jerk off looking at them.

I did a ten minute pose for an art studio.I enjoyed being nude for two women that drew me.It was such a great feeling that I did it.I felt on top of the world.I plan on doing it again for the same art gallery,then go from there.I really think everyone should try doing it.

#11 Phil, good luck with your modeling career. :) HH

a lot of models draw the line at photos though,and only will pose for drawings. Understandably so in the Internet age and if the photographer is a stranger.

I'm a budding art photographer and have had a lot of trouble finding models. An artist acquaintance suggested I join his modeling exchange group - everyone is an artist and they all take turns posing for the group. Sounds like a good way to establish trust that I'm serious in my pursuit. I'm going to try it. Gulp!

That sounds good- and sensible. I only pose for photos for artists I know or in established academies etc.
Good luck ith it.
HH

Some years ago, I had come out of the surf and was walking dripping wet from the beach to my car when I noticed a wild-looking 30-something hippy-type woman following me - worryingly - up the embankment. Just as I threw my board on the roof racks and grabbed a towel so that I could take my boardies off without flashing, she walked up and announced that she was an artist who made plaster casts of men's bodies - "Oh yeah, upper or lower?" I asked - and would I mind if she did mine.

I must admit, I really was taken aback, and at first thought she might have been a cult member on the prowl, but was kind of chuffed too that she'd asked - and I did wonder why she'd want a plaster cast of a bemused surf bum, but there you go. I was also worried about the naked aspect, as I've always been self-conscious of the surfers' classic white area of skin stretching from knee to waist and waist to neck and elbows that marks the extremities of boardshorts and rash vest.

However, in a way it was really and bizarrely kind of liberating, except that - no surprise here - the studio strongly of patchouli oil and people in weird clothes kept nonchalantly coming and going without batting an eyelid.

The process was quite time consuming, and obviously, despite her using something that dried quickly, you can't move at all for a while and it all has to be done in bits.

I got paid (much to my surprise), I got fed, and stayed friends with her for some years until she drifted off to the far north coast in search of nirvana. I believe also that somewhere in this city, some poor bastards own a statue that's partly a copy of my once-youthful body.

It's unlikely they'd want a follow-up, however, this far down the track - unless they wanted to put it in perspex and enter it in the Turner Prize for really odd conceptual art.

I'll just add this ... in answer to the often-asked question, "Is surfing an art form or a sport?", I say it only becomes an art form after you've taken too many drugs.

Before that it's just a sport :)

Hmmm...i seriously can't beleive that anyone...i mean anyone on this earth, man or woman does not have erotic thoughts when they see an atractive nude body of the opposite sex, just because they are doing an art class. It's human nature.

i am a sixteen year old struggling artist. one thing i find difficult is getting proportions right. having a model at my school helped me to improve alot so far and i really appreciate him.