A recent comment from a soon-to-be male model concerning what it is to be objectified reminded me of this early post I wrote. This is from when the event was for women to model only. Reading it again it resonated with me now and I wanted to share it as I think it may explain a bit more some useful aspects to life modelling. It does not just apply to women!
For some women, the decision to try life modelling may precipitate a considerable shift in the way they are perceived by their peers, family and any other acquaintances. If you’ve never been perceived as a femme fatale, I’m not saying it’s guaranteed when you bare all for artists, however the confidence which you begin to manifest regardless of your traits pertaining to conventional beauty, may attract new attention.
What you do with this is of course your own business! The point is if your associates are surprised by your choice of activity/occupation, they may treat you differently. This can range from overnight being considered some sort of prostitute, to the pleasant surprise and genuine appreciation that you are comfortable in your skin. There is still a lot of taboo about nudity even here – London – and now in 2011. I hope this dissipates, but sadly women from certain cultures…
Here are some pictures of recent poses I have done. If you are about to try life modelling for the 1st time and have not seen a model posing, this can give you some ideas for how to pose. It is a very individual activity however and must be necessarily adapted to suit each model.
by Deborah Collins
These six 10 minute poses demonstrate some varieties of balance. One is leaning on a chair; there is one pose with weight distributed evenly between the legs; the others have most weight on one leg. The top left hand pose is a good example of a twist, whereby the body faces one direction lower down, then another further up. Artists tend to love a twist; it is a challenge, but also makes the pose more interesting and lets them see more of you from one position.
One leg up on the seat gives more levels to the pose. Arms leaning back makes the pose feel open and lends complementary triangles of negative space, shown here balancing the shape of the upward bent knee.I am skinny so taking advantage of my angles works for me. Different body types do well to emphasize their features accordingly
Here my back is arched forward gently creating a different impression. My back naturally forms an ‘S’ shape which artists frequently want to draw. Posing to accentuate the ‘S’ however is not good for my back if done excessively. Sometimes I need to give it a break and rebalance by curving the other way. As a model it is vital to understand these needs of the body so you don’t over do it.
A pose showing the curve of the backThe same 10 minute poses as above, from a different point of viewLonger poses tend to be more natural so the model may settle into them. Picture by Deborah CollinsSome artists use longer poses to concentrate on portrait. These are by tutor Cathy BirdElbow to knee connection creates negative space and helps artists to measure
Negative space is the area in between which is not the body, and may be formed by limbs connecting with the body and creating a shape. Artists use particular measurements in a pose to relate to other lengths to help them achieve an accurate sense of proportion. They often hold a pencil up in line with a pose and with one eye open measure how much of the pencil length is taken up by the head for example. They then use that measurement to compare other details in the picture. The length of the head may be comparable to say that of the arm touching the knee.
Here is a post I wrote a while back about how particularly to pose in the group situation at Spirited Bodies;
That was for a previous event and I would like to add that on the forthcoming occasion – 21st July – there will be some shorter timed poses to warm up, from 5 to 15 minutes. Then there will be a period of freestyle posing when models may change pose when they prefer.
There will also be at least one timed half hour pose when I would like all models to remain still at the same time. This is good for feeling what life modelling is like, as well as giving artists a better chance of creating a good picture!
I am reposting these inspiring words from the first group of women who ever modelled at Spirited Bodies. I want to bring the focus back to how this experience can help someone overcome body issues and generally give a sense of liberation. I want to reach out to women again, and would make a women only event if that is wanted. Sometimes as a seasoned pro I forget what a big deal it is to a total new comer, but often that is where the magic sparkles most. I hope this encourages you and I look forward to helping you to create art and enjoying being yourself more. Lots of love from Esther
We asked the women who tried life modelling for the first time how they felt afterwards. Here’s some things they said:
“I really enjoyed it – it was the relationship between the models and the artists – and the comfortable feeling between the models as well.
I enjoyed feeling unselfconscious about my body, and I enjoyed the challenge of staying still – which was easier at some times than at others! I enjoyed having such attention not for something that I had done or said, but simply to help the artists to do what they love doing; there was every chance of succeeding in the task just by existing rather than having to outwit someone else; I loved the lack of competition but the success of us all as a group. I didn’t really think about the poses much beforehand, but when you were explaining it to us, I did…
Spirited Bodies 