Need Artists Opinions

[Mistyrae]

Ok, here's the deal...I've been a nude model for art classes and such for nigh on 8 years now. I've noticed throughout this time that there is very little avaliable for the newbie model in terms of guides and advice. Most models simply have to figure everything out through experience or guesswork.

My boyfriend has been pushing me to get some of my writing published (writing is where my passion lies) and after a great deal of thought I've decided to throw caution to the wind and attempt to get something published. I am awfully posessive of my fiction, however, and have a difficult time accepting criticism on it so the thought of getting any of my fiction published while I've got this issue is rather laughable.

I've decided to put my modeling experience and passion for writing to good use. I'll be attempting to write a guide for nude models, filled with tips from other models about what's important to know as well as advice from artists about what they look for in a good model. One of the great things about this project of mine is simply that as it will be the strictest form of non-fiction, I actually WANT as much criticism and advice as I can get.That's where y'all come in. :)

If someone were to come up to one of you artisty types to say that they were thinking about attempting nude modeling, what sort of advice would you give?

[Sabertooth Kitten]

Ok, here's the deal...I've been a nude model for art classes and such for nigh on 8 years now. I've noticed throughout this time that there is very little avaliable for the newbie model in terms of guides and advice. Most models simply have to figure everything out through experience or guesswork.

My boyfriend has been pushing me to get some of my writing published (writing is where my passion lies) and after a great deal of thought I've decided to throw caution to the wind and attempt to get something published. I am awfully posessive of my fiction, however, and have a difficult time accepting criticism on it so the thought of getting any of my fiction published while I've got this issue is rather laughable.

I've decided to put my modeling experience and passion for writing to good use. I'll be attempting to write a guide for nude models, filled with tips from other models about what's important to know as well as advice from artists about what they look for in a good model. One of the great things about this project of mine is simply that as it will be the strictest form of non-fiction, I actually WANT as much criticism and advice as I can get.That's where y'all come in. :)

If someone were to come up to one of you artisty types to say that they were thinking about attempting nude modeling, what sort of advice would you give?

Having been a topless/nude dancer and model myself, one of the best pieces of advice I can give is to thoroughly check out the people doing the painting, photography etc. before the clothes come off.
I wasn't careful enough about that one time and the modeling gig turned out very badly.

[DarkPirateShea]

hmmmm

well you gotta be confident with what you are doing (like with posing and stuff, this applies to any sort of modleing), and also comfortable with yourself. You can't restrict your poses cuz this pose makes you good good and this pose doesn't.

also maybe dance classes? like for inspiration for posing? and along that line, attending sessions where other models are posing for classes, and drawing those models (basicly putting yourself on the other side of the paper) is a definate, cuz then you have a better understanding of the student's view.

[Mistyrae]

I wasn't careful enough about that one time and the modeling gig turned out very badly.

You too, huh? Yeah, isn't it amazing how many creeps there are out there who think a nude model is nothing but a less expensive version of a prostitute?

[Sabertooth Kitten]

You too, huh? Yeah, isn't it amazing how many creeps there are out there who think a nude model is nothing but a less expensive version of a prostitute?

Very true.
One "artist" hired me to pose for a sculpture. Then he took some pics of me so "he could continue the work" when I wasn't there.
The prick did do the sculpture which turned out so bad that he ended up taking a hammer to it. He decided to recoup his losses by selling the pics of me to a sleazy website.
My dad found out about that before I did and paid the "artist" a visit that left said "artist" in the hospital for a few months.
Yeah, Dad knew about the dancing and modeling from the start and didn't have a problem with it. If I had agreed to pose for a website or magazine Dad wouldn't have cared. But since the guy didn't have my permission to sell the pictures, he decided the guy needed a little life lesson.
I did my share of modeling for the art classes at the college I went to, and actually had not a single problem there.

[Evandril]

One big thing I'd make sure you mention is do NOT take the artist/poser/teachers comments personally in the least. Lady I dated for a while was a model, with some nude, and the way they'd treat her with the same empathy as they would a bowl of fruit was amusing, once the connection was made. Most of the time, the people looking at you won't be looking at a 'person', but at a rather well designed bunch of curves, shadows and colors...And that can be a bit startling to people at first...doubly so for women who think of themselves as attractive, and are suddenly a 'prop' as it were.

[meghasissues]

the only thing i can really think of is plan your poses carefully. whether you're doing character work, fashion or nude modeling. i mostly do character work but i've seen a couple of models falling over or hurting themselves because they are asked to do interesting poses and take it too far. make sure you can hold your pose for a little bit longer than the amount of time that has been agreed on because you never know when someone is going to ask you to stay still for one more minute or something

[TheMyst]

*thinks so hard that gets aneurysm*

Nope sorry, game nerd got nothin' here. @_@

[Crazeyal]

I've done performance art, while not QUITE as risqué as nude modeling, it has moments of sexuality (depending on the subject matter) that wouldn't or SHOULDN'T enter into modeling. Plenty of people confuse nudity with sex.

One factor is to establish your own comfort level. I've heard modeling described as both nightmarish and liberating, one time from the same model. Someone coming from a household that looked upon nudity as sinful may try nude modeling as rebellion. This might be liberating, but if they ultimately SHARE the viewpoint, a growth experience becomes a regret.

[TheMyst]

^^^^^^^^^^What he said^^^^^^^^^^

[Mistyrae]

*thinks so hard that gets aneurysm*

ooh, poor thing, would you like some Vicadin or a mixed drink to take away the pain?

[Mistyrae]

Plenty of people confuse nudity with sex.


Isn't that the truth?! So many times when people find out I model, they assume that I'm some sort of kinky exhibitionist.

While that MAY be the case...my modeling is entirely seperate. I mean, when you're holding a one hour pose, trying to remember precisely where your limbs cross one another while your arms and feet are going to sleep and your nose itches but you just can't even let yourself so much as twitch for fear of losing the pose, yeah, there's just no time to be aroused.

[IK the Troll]

Isn't that the truth?! So many times when people find out I model, they assume that I'm some sort of kinky exhibitionist.

While that MAY be the case...my modeling is entirely seperate. I mean, when you're holding a one hour pose, trying to remember precisely where your limbs cross one another while your arms and feet are going to sleep and your nose itches but you just can't even let yourself so much as twitch for fear of losing the pose, yeah, there's just no time to be aroused.

Having been to art school, I am blissfully free of these misconceptions. In fact there's an easy way to break down three words that mean the same thing, and therefore to help others understand the truth behind these words. Behold:

NUDE: You have no clothes on, for artistic purposes such as modeling or performance art.
NAKED: You have no clothes on, for utilitarian purposes such as bathing or changing clothes.
NEKKID: Ya ain't got no clothes on, an' yer up ta somethin'!

I hope that clears up a few things.

[freiman]

I am guessing that Modeling is a lot easier for guys.

I did a lot of it in college.

I am guessing that it's a lot like any other job that takes place in private. If you are having a bad feeling, there is probably a good reason for it.

And for me, I am sorry, but nudity and sex are inextricably intertwined. I understand that it shouldn't be, but for me, it is. I think that I am not alone in that.

f

[meghasissues]

ok just found this out the hard way. make sure that people don't hire you for a modeling gig because of a weird thing you can do (nothing naughty so clean your minds)
i was recently asked to do a photoshoot curled up inside a bass drum because i'm the only girl they know of that can actually do it.

[Evandril]

Ermm.... Why not? If it's something special you can do, and *feel comfortable* doing, I'd think it'd add to your value as model, more than anything.

Of course, the key words there are *FEEL COMFORTABLE*, but that should be the rule with any modeling gig, IMO.

[Tipouf]

ok so on that note..or few...

couple things to keep in mind....

guys do model and you might want to get some more imput from them...would help sell the book better...hate when a subject that is open to all but ends up headed towards one gender

another thing to think of, room temp is something to warn models about and a robe and slippers... enter with pride and exit with something warm...

a good thing to think about is tai chi for the mental clarity, the slowness as well as the strength. then yoga for tone and aid for in holding a pose.

what you may want to think about is asking other models to add in quotes, they tend to make good chapter heads if nothing else lol

i would LOVE to read over whet you come up with, fiction or this book idea. i wanted to try doing some modeling but never got the chance. though i did try looking up info on the net to help prep me for what i would have been walking into... and i tried writing a story once but kids and life kinda stopped that


no matter what good luck