Firstly, there are a few terms that describe a model that assists students and established artists in drawing a human body.
Common terms are:
Figure model
Life model
Art model
An art model poses for individual artists for art classes, events, and small pubs. Becoming a model in art is different in ways from becoming an editorial model. An editorial model is selling products in an ad, magazine, e-commerce, or through a sponsorship.
An art model isn’t trying to sell anything. Although, together, both types of models can agree on channeling the vision of the artist.
A model won’t always be prepared for the vision, and everything won’t always be laid out at every session, but the primary goal is to go with the flow of the artist’s request.
Nude figure modeling isn’t always require
While most sessions come with the expectation that you’ll pose nude, you may also be asked to pose clothed.
How Much Do Art Model Jobs Pay?
Art models jobs pay typically a set rate by the artist, institution, or job listing. It’s common for an art model to make an hourly rate of $15.00 to $1,000 depending on the model’s experience and the client.
Other times, figure models will choose their own rate.
Model Height and Weight Requirements
There are no height and weight requirements to become a figure model. All body types and ethnicities are welcomed. Plus, size doesn’t matter when it comes to art modeling. The main objective is to have confidence in order to portray a beautiful vision.
Average Age Of Art Models
A large percentage of female art models are between the age of 20-30 years old. Although, it’s not uncommon to come across a model whose over the age of 30.
A male figure drawing model is typically between the ages of 30 – 60 years old.
Easy Requirements To Become A Figure Drawing Model
The easy part
Googling “ art model jobs near me’ will result in many figure modeling jobs that one can apply to.
The important aspect to keep booking jobs
To become a successful figure model, a model needs to prepare for their job even on days that they\’re not working. A Figure model needs to practice and memorize a couple of poses that can be held comfortably for a short or long time.
A model should practice their poses the night before to assure that they can endure the selected poses for a set period of time.
The duration of a pose can be between 1 minute and an hour. Luckily, there are breaks within the session that will allow the model to relax, stretch, and hydrate before going back into posing.
It’s also common for an artist or instructor to choose poses for the figure model to hold. That’s why it’s important for the model to be on time if not early, to discuss in advance requirements for the session.
Art Modeling Tips
How To Pose
Art modeling is like Fashion modeling
A model should practice yoga poses and dance moves to keep their body in limbo for holding poses.
- Short poses are ideal and favorable. They’re less painful, and more fun to do in front of animation students. The shortest pose duration is typically 15 seconds.
- A figure model shouldn’t pick poses that require the model to bend their legs for a long period. This will cause the act of blocking blood circulation which will result in dizziness or fainting.
- It’s essential for the model to gaze at a certain point or object to focus on, in order to keep their balance.
- A model should play music while practicing poses, in order to have high energy while posing.
- While practicing, a model should try and keep their mouth closed while posing, and avoid itching if possible.
What’s Are Some Good Poses To Do?
“Good Poses” are determined by how confident and comfortable you feel while holding the pose.
If the pose is considered ‘easy’ to you, that’s because you’ve mastered holding the pose. Practice makes perfect learn a new pose every other day, and you’ll have a portfolio of good poses to do.
- A model should search online for posing images.
- Start off with easy poses.
- Use a full-length mirror to practice poses.
- A model should play music while practicing poses, in order to have high energy while practicing!
- It’s essential for the model to gaze at a certain point or object, focus and/or meditate.
- The model should try and keep their mouth closed while posing, and avoid itching if possible.
Ways To Practice Posing
Instagram is a great platform to find model poses!
- #Hashtags are the BEST!
- Start off with easy poses that you can remember
- Use a full-length mirror and good music to practice to
Must-Have Essential Things To Bring
A model should bring a gown or long trench coat to wear when not posing, and avoid wearing tight clothes to avoid imprints on the skin.
Other Items to bring:
√ socks and slippers to wear before class and in between breaks
√ A small personal heater to keep warm
√ A Hair tie
If a model has long hair, they’ll be asked to tie their hair back. If a model forgets a hair tie, they can ask for an elastic band, but that’s not the best option to choose. It may cause hair breakage.
Nonetheless, art modeling can be a professional job, a model needs to always be prepared with their own essential items.
Wellness and Self-Care
Balancing your life with exercise by simply performing a yoga practice as a daily routine, allows one to connect with their body in a soothing and relaxing way; naturally focusing on breathing along with stillness.
This helps with figure modeling by teaching yourself how to stay relaxed during long-duration moments.
Make Self-Care Sundays A Thing!
A healthy skin care routine is ideal for a model’s own confidence. A model should focus on a self-care routine that is dedicated to moisturizing their skin, smelling good, and taking long baths in order to feel luxurious beforehand.
The night before a session, a model should apply a face mask, eye mask, and lip mask. A DIY spa treatment is ideal. When you see you look good, you feel good too!
Minimal makeup is preferred. Less is more, a model showcasing their natural beauty allows the artist to draw from natural lighting and shadows during a session.
How Art Modeling Can Benefit You
While art modeling may not be a lifelong career for you, it keeps you in an artistic environment.
It’s unlikely to make art modeling a full-time job. If you are someone who wants to pursue writing, music, or acting then becoming an art model will lead to networking and other opportunities geared towards your hobbies.
Art of Modeling
After the session, the model may walk around the classroom and look at the drawings from the students. This may change the perception the art model has of themself.
Connecting with people through the art of figure modeling and being a representation of the human body, adds confidence and courageousness to a model’s state of mind.