tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post113722372801162133..comments2024-03-12T10:31:11.815-07:00Comments on The Ward-O-Matic: Figure Drawing TalesWard Jenkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05013085293679968596noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-54736921954481780402012-11-27T07:18:39.446-08:002012-11-27T07:18:39.446-08:00I started modeling for college art classes when I ...I started modeling for college art classes when I was 18 years old. At first, I did it to impress a girl. A bunch of us had been sitting in the dining hall talking over lunch, when she said that she drew naked people in art class. I had never done anything like that and had grown up in a household where casual nudity was simply not practiced. I immediately wanted to be one of those naked models, and I told her so. I figured that she would be impressed that I actually followed through and did it. I did, but I never got to model for a class that she was in, and I was too shy to ask her out at the time. I don't even remember her name. But I have kept modeling for 28 years, and I've modeled for classes at at least 20 different schools/universities/art centers, etc. for thousands of artists and students.<br /><br />It is really interesting to read this post and all the comments from art students. As a long-time model, I've gotten so used to the dynamics of a figure drawing class, but for those who don't regularly attend such classes, I can see how having a nude person in the room can be out of the norm. Most of the time, my modeling sessions are serious, yet fun, events. But every once in a while, something unusual happens, so over 28 years, I have accumulated a lot of different stories.<br /><br />Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865501716995054495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-21371069284543173952012-10-19T08:36:53.855-07:002012-10-19T08:36:53.855-07:00My first time modeling for a class was about a mon...My first time modeling for a class was about a month ago - and pretty much all of my worst fears were imagined. As soon as the instructor said it was time to "get started," I could feel a little stiffening. Had to fiddle around with my robe for a little bit, and then even after taking it off I kept my back to the class for another 20 seconds. <br /><br />I never got a full erection, but one time each during standing, sitting and lying down poses the little guy kept having a mind of its own and would fluctuate a lot. The stress on my face trying to control it might have been more noticeable than the actual size increase. The worst was the final long pose, sitting on floor with legs out and apart - normally my penis was just resting easily, but one time it uncontrollably began to shoot straight up. Luckily it never got that large but I assume it was pretty noticeable...<br /><br />No one said anything about it, and class and instructors were very friendly to me the entire time. I was hoping they'd write it off as inevitable for a mid-20's guy over a 3 hour period. Pretty sure they'd not invite me back, but about a week later I did indeed get a return invitation. So apparently there are worse things that could happen...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-81782475133628549902012-06-03T08:36:08.462-07:002012-06-03T08:36:08.462-07:00One has to be prepared to pose for at least 20 min...One has to be prepared to pose for at least 20 minutes. I find the shock and snap observation dissapates after the first 15 seconds into a gesture pose of some kind. I am always afraid I might find myself in an embarrassing situation at that time but touch wood ,(pun intended) it doesn't happen.Benjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02448116776203552071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-15445991770652316492011-01-28T11:53:38.795-08:002011-01-28T11:53:38.795-08:00I was an art model for 2 years, and I took that mo...I was an art model for 2 years, and I took that moonlighting job very seriously. It's not for everyone, especially pin-up wannabes and bums who are looking for quick cash. Those types do pay a disservice to the whole concept. <br /><br />It takes some getting used to, on both sides of the easel (both of which I've experienced.) Unless you were raised by nudists from day one, there will always be that shock and snap observation at the moment of disrobing. <br /><br />Also, anyone who begrudges posing for 20 minutes or more is a sissy-mary.K_Hendersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873860160688284858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-25997149186537275112011-01-28T08:55:12.070-08:002011-01-28T08:55:12.070-08:00In one college drawing class of mine, one of our m...In one college drawing class of mine, one of our models was our instructor's college-age daughter. She wore a swimsuit so it wasn't as awkward as it <b>could've</b> been, but a little weird nonetheless. As a dad now, I don't think I could put my daughter in that situation. :)Christianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10724899810611140043noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-60924606324850741262011-01-28T06:03:52.776-08:002011-01-28T06:03:52.776-08:00Ms. Macabre, I disagree. I'm merely relating i...Ms. Macabre, I disagree. I'm merely relating interesting stories about my experiences as an art student. Nothing more, nothing less. To say that this post "undermines what the process of figure drawing is all about" - you're the model, not the artist. You're being paid to pose for us. That's all. I've never once felt that any model had to impress me - we are all different in shapes and sizes and colors and I glorify that aspect of figure drawing. I embrace it wholeheartedly, actually. I loved the idea that we are all different as human beings - to be able to draw any type of character when I entered a figure drawing class filled me with a great sense of expectancy. <br /><br />I never once talked about any imperfections, but merely talked about my <i>observations</i> of these models. That's all. And you know? I find it interesting that you worry about sounding like a "feminist" with your concerns regarding my post - why? That statement itself reeks of the archaic notion that all models are women and all artists are men. Did you actually read the entire post or just skimmed it until you felt the desire to comment? Because if you did read it in its entirety, then you would've read about the male model I encountered. So, really, your argument is invalid.Ward Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05013085293679968596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-33938331401904705202011-01-27T13:03:09.129-08:002011-01-27T13:03:09.129-08:00I have to say, I'm a life model myself and to ...I have to say, I'm a life model myself and to me, this post undermines what the process of figure drawing is really about. There is a difference between looking and drawing. You say you appreciate the form of the body for the creation of art alone, not focusing on the fact that this is a naked person in front of you. But the hypocrisy is blatant in this post as you use your experience for funny stories about the imperfections of the models bodies. They are not there to impress you. Without sounding off like some anarchistic feminist, I have to say its pretty disrespectful and misses the mark entirely.Ms. Murtle Macabrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16840145574711138757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-32138527371944559902008-02-28T05:33:00.000-08:002008-02-28T05:33:00.000-08:00Just something I wanted to point out:(And did I me...Just something I wanted to point out:<BR/><BR/>(And did I mention it was her first time, too? It showed. During the first couple of long poses I noticed that she was so nervous that she began to quiver and shake.)<BR/><BR/>Speaking as someone who has done this kind of modeling, I can tell you she may have been nervous but she also may have been in pain. As you know it starts to hurt after a while standing still - I have often come to the point of shaking just because my muscles become fatigued and the pose hurts. I assure you, I am not nervous and have lots of experience. I was shaking on the model stand last night . . .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1160627168724163012006-10-11T21:26:00.000-07:002006-10-11T21:26:00.000-07:00I was a model at Auburn University, and it was qui...I was a model at Auburn University, and it was quite an experience. I highly recommend <I>being</I> a model to everyone, as it offers a chance to really shed whatever inhibitions you might have. I've yet to be the artist, though I still want to in the future (I took art in high school, but not in college).<BR/><BR/>Though I have no interesting stories of my own (except that in a few of the classes I knew some of the students, which was a little strange), I heard some humdingers. For long poses (20+ minutes), models were in a position that wouldn't be too uncomfortable (usually seated or something). It was acceptable to nod off during this process. Once, while sleeping, a male model became erect. I think he slept through it, as when he woke up all was back to normal. Also one other time a male model (who's girlfriend was an artist in the class) and another female model were modeling together. During the modeling session, he apparently became erect. The girlfriend got mad and left the room, and he ran out after her - butt-nekkid.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I haven't modeled in a while, but wouldn't mind doing it again sometime.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1157186684318339202006-09-02T01:44:00.000-07:002006-09-02T01:44:00.000-07:00I'm a part time figure model, and have been for th...I'm a part time figure model, and have been for the last 3 years since being laid off. <BR/><BR/>One of my favourite type of classes are those workshops where students start off with normal gestural sketches, and move towards a more avant garde interpretation of the human form. That's when creativity kicks in and I get to do short poses where various lights and projections of images and words are shone on my body, and it's up to the students to interprete and depict it, usually in abstract form. <BR/><BR/>During these times I also get to work with props, and have much more freedom to do bizarre poses- for example, I did one in which I held the legs of a stool against my solar plexus, as if I've been stabbed by it. Yes, I do love those classes...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1147348013435813662006-05-11T04:46:00.000-07:002006-05-11T04:46:00.000-07:00Interesting topic. I am a figure drawing model wor...Interesting topic. I am a figure drawing model working at several schools in my area. Someone mentioned about the embarressment of undressing versus sitting out there completely nude. It's true. For me the hardest part of any class (even after doing this for a couple of years now) is the inital disrobing I do at the beginning of class. Unfortunately for me a lot of the rooms I model in do not have any convenient ajoining room or closet to change out of my clothes in. So most classes I take off my clothes right on the stand in the middle of the room with everyone observing me. THAT to me is the toughest part. Once I'm naked and working on making my poses creative and interesting for students, I soon forget about the fact that I am completely without clothes on.<BR/><BR/>On a sidenote-- the strangest class for me was a "Figure In Motion Class" The instructor at one point handed me a baseball glove and casually would toss a baseball at me for me to catch. This went on for maybe 15 minutes while students attempted to capture the energy and movements of my body.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1142395180031533562006-03-14T19:59:00.000-08:002006-03-14T19:59:00.000-08:00Twenty minutes, HA, child's play, we often do full...Twenty minutes, HA, child's play, we often do full hour poses in my illustration drawing classes, or more if we can. which is sometimes great, as I love to go as detailed as I can, but mostly annoying because it's an 8:30 am class, and most of our models fall asleep and move a lot.<BR/><BR/>We had a pair of clothed models once who were so adorable together, and the girl was wearing this frilly underwear overtop of her leggings, with a really (REALLY) short skirt, so you could see the ruffles. In between poses she changed her outfit, I was talking to a friend, and all of a sudden I had this weird feeling, so I turned around and she was standing by the open window (about 10 storeys high) and she just whipped off her shirt! The funny part about that was that we have a changing room for the models, and also that this was a drapery study, and she was so comfortable with herself that she could undress in frant of a class of 25 ish people, and her boyfriend was present...maybe that helped. But I'll always remember that because I'm VERY self-conscious, and would give anything to be as free as her.BRiTThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023802517701314310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1142011570786642452006-03-10T09:26:00.000-08:002006-03-10T09:26:00.000-08:00Did I mention that my school was loaded with immat...Did I mention that my school was loaded with immature wanna-be comic book artists? Who couldn't handle even a good model with even a trifle of decorum? Who would amuse themselves at the models expense whenever possible?<BR/><BR/><BR/>An example. We had one very bizarre model. She would talk to herself during poses for one. Another day she came in dressed like Wonder Woman. She also wore a bike helmet to take the Bus to our school (not kidding).<BR/><BR/>Anyway, someone of extreme maturity decided it would be funny to throw some pennies on the carpeted model stand. Sure enough, the always-oblivious model arose from a reclined pose with a dozen pennies stuck to her. There was much laughter.Marc Hudginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13832629213236899304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141974861376624242006-03-09T23:14:00.000-08:002006-03-09T23:14:00.000-08:00These are very interesting figure drawing stories ...These are very interesting figure drawing stories ...<BR/><BR/>I have a few "interesting' stories in drawing classes too:<BR/><BR/>First, there is this male model, do good pose, nothing weird about him. But one thing make the class very uncomfortable is what he does during break ... He would walk around, stand next to the students and try to talk to us completely naked. I don't mind to talk to models, but it's very uncomfortable to talk to someone standing next to you, completely naked.<BR/><BR/>And there is older female model ... we are supposed to have clothes drawing section that day. That she keeps wanting to take off all her clothes ... even the teacher kindly explain to her that we are having clothes model section that day. She still try to unrobe ... My teacher was definitly very unhappy with the model that day.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13389752072214123232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141963385734203272006-03-09T20:03:00.000-08:002006-03-09T20:03:00.000-08:00Ah, life drawing. I took a couple of life drawing...Ah, life drawing. I took a couple of life drawing classes in college, back in the mid-70's. Our models were very professional, although I thought some were not very attractive. Some of the men had rather shapeless bodies that were actually harder to draw than the more muscular ones.<BR/><BR/>One of the best models that posed for us on several occasions was an elderly lady named Cleo. She had to be in her 70's or early 80's. She was graceful and elegant. Her face and neck were quite wrinkled, of course, as well as her hands, but I was surprised to see that her womanly figure was still full and soft looking, if a little saggy. But not wrinkled! A good thing to keep in mind as I face my own maturity.Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08011749964154446809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141946791504980662006-03-09T15:26:00.000-08:002006-03-09T15:26:00.000-08:00Man, lots of fun stories here! Thanks for the spa...Man, lots of fun stories here! Thanks for the spark, Ward!<BR/><BR/>I don't have a ton of figure drawing experience, but I'll never forget one interesting moment from one of my earlier classes. It was a four-hour class that was a mix of anatomy instruction and figure drawing. We had a nude male model posing for us this particulr day, and we'd already done about a half-hour of drawing. We stopped for a break, and before we got started again, the instructor took the time to comment (while standing next to the model, no less), "I just wanted to point out, in case you haven't noticed it, that [insert model's name here] is uncircumcised." The model was naturally a tad embarrassed that everyone was being essentially instructed to stare at his crotch, and he lowered and shook his head with an awkward grin on his face. We moved on fairly quickly after that.<BR/><BR/>This particular instructor also shared with us one day a pair of paintings he was commissioned to do for a local couple: one closeup of the husband's genitalia, the other a closeup of the wife's. And they weren't small paintings, either.Justin S Barretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00328053567237488058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141942974226773152006-03-09T14:22:00.000-08:002006-03-09T14:22:00.000-08:00I took five semesters of figure drawing. In the be...I took five semesters of figure drawing. In the begining, it was a required course and I was not looking forward to the scene. Growing up in a small Texas town with a Baptist Preacher for a grandfather, you certainly did not admit to looking at naked people for hours a day. <BR/><BR/>The first day, the model walked in to the class wearing a short, silky kimono robe. She was tall and elegant looking and I was hit with the horrible fear that not only would she take off her clothing but that I would faint from embarrassment. <BR/><BR/>Well, I didn't. I got through it. She became a subject just as you said. Over time, I grew to love these classes and got pretty smug about my rendering skills. (I had a terror of a teacher for two semesters who ridculed my early works so badly, while telling the other students she wouldn't be so hard on them, that I would cry when I got home every night.) But I did get better <BR/><BR/>My second moment of reckoning came when I was in one of my later classes. I had found a teacher who I truly loved and was very encouraging and critical at the same time. (A difficult thing to be) Well, we had an older male who was, uh....very well endowed. I drew him, going into elobarate detail everywhere but his groin. My beloved teacher came up to my drawing and said, this is nice Courtney but you must draw the (insert name for male sexual reproductive orgen here) very loudly. I blushed three shades of red, started laughing and then drew it. <BR/><BR/>This all came full circle when my grandmother (the wife of a baptist preacher) asked to see what I was doing in school. I brought her my huge portfolio of drawings and she looked at every drawing commenting on this aspect or person. She was one cool lady.Courtney Pippin-Mathurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04606245189094789648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141938541599269162006-03-09T13:09:00.000-08:002006-03-09T13:09:00.000-08:00I've had three experiences with figure drawing. My...I've had three experiences with figure drawing. My first was in a fine arts class with a nude model. It took some getting used to but as you said, you quickly start to look at them as a subject and not as something to oggle at.<BR/><BR/>My second was a drawing for graphic designers class and we had the same model for the whole semester. She wore a full body spandex suit. I actually didn't mind the covering at all and I think it made for a more casual class. I can see the value of full nudity for anatomy and muscles and bones, but for full gestures, the covering was fine with me.<BR/><BR/>The third class I had was an extended learning class with no instructor. We'd just show up and the model would disrobe and we'd get to work. The most disturbing one was what looked like a 55 year old woman with nipple rings and another ring down you know where. It kinda gave me the creeps.<BR/><BR/>Looking back on it all, I was actually kinda dissapointed that all I ever got to draw was women. I really wanted to conquer the human figure and I still don't know if i'm drawing men's hips correctly. that might sound kinda strange.<BR/><BR/>Great post and interesting stories. THanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141937426072938152006-03-09T12:50:00.000-08:002006-03-09T12:50:00.000-08:00art imitates life here:http://snlmm.net/char.php?i...art imitates life here:<BR/>http://snlmm.net/char.php?i=598Robiscushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17299444837899738697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141932612609536282006-03-09T11:30:00.000-08:002006-03-09T11:30:00.000-08:00This topic is great ^^My school use to have late n...This topic is great ^^<BR/><BR/>My school use to have late night drawing sessions. There were two notable times that were bizarre. One night we had a very beautiful female model. Everbody started drawing but this one guy...not even with art supplies was just standing there...watching. It's not an amusement park people!<BR/>Also one night to my surprise I got my first male model. I thought he was a student at first because he was young and scrawny. Instead of a robe he had a raincoat to cover him up o.0. When he switched poses he also did these weird Tai Chi moves. The worst part during the break he came up to my friend and I and asked if we had any lotion.......buck naked and he wants lotion lol. My friend gave him some and we quickly ran away lol.<BR/><BR/>You always get regulars and you start to know their names. My favorite model is Chris because he brings props. Just like Ward said "sans props" is quite common. He tugs on ropes to tighten his muscles, and he does great long poses without flinching. Although one time he stuck an apple in his mouth for a 30 minute pose and he started drooling lol.<BR/>Figure Drawing is quite fun, but the poor model must dread figure painting! The usually hold the same pose for twenty minutes, take a break, and then try to repostition to the right spot again.<BR/><BR/>Great post Ward.<BR/>The comments are great especially the small person model and Mr. Aroused lol.Ellen Yuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00797328221734814597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141931050404896182006-03-09T11:04:00.000-08:002006-03-09T11:04:00.000-08:00I've taken a lot of "continuing education" figure ...I've taken a lot of "continuing education" figure drawing classes, but I still remember the first one best...I guess I didn't really realize that "figure" meant naked. Seems silly now. I remember looking down to pick up a pencil or something and the next thing I know there was this old naked woman right in front of me! I don't know if I had a shocked look on my face or anything, but I remember trying to be like, "yeah I knew that was gonna happen." Seems I wasn't the only one who didn't know, as there were two young children in the class. They did not return the next week.<BR/><BR/>Anybody go to the ASIFA Atlanta figure drawing class last week? If so you got to witness the most lifeless life drawing poses! And talk about quivering...she would get herself in these bizarre yet uninteresting poses and then not be able to hold them at all.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141927421392350722006-03-09T10:03:00.000-08:002006-03-09T10:03:00.000-08:00Oh, man -- these stories are hilarious! And sad. A...Oh, man -- these stories are hilarious! And sad. And crazy. I <I>just knew</I> that there would be some wild stories out there. <BR/><BR/>I've never experienced seeing a male model being aroused, but I can't imagine how crazy it would've been to be in class when that happens! I did have to pose for one class but it was with clothes on, for one of my illustration classes. Drawing the clothes was part of it and we got to draw all our classmates at one point. My legs fell asleep all the time.<BR/><BR/>"Leaky-Pete?" Oh dear. I'm both fearful and intrigued by this story. I'm not sure if I want to hear more....<BR/><BR/>James, I took a class at Callonwolde as well! It was around '99, I think.<BR/><BR/>Some great stories! Thanks for sharing, people, and keep 'em coming!Ward Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05013085293679968596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141926417466282512006-03-09T09:46:00.000-08:002006-03-09T09:46:00.000-08:00I would tell you my "ultimate" model malfunction s...I would tell you my "ultimate" model malfunction story, but most people wouldn't believe it, most would be horrified, and the rest would be deeply offended. <BR/><BR/>Let's leave it to say that he earned the nickname Leaky-Pete that day and that the session was more or less cancelled on the spot.Marc Hudginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13832629213236899304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141926163703324392006-03-09T09:42:00.000-08:002006-03-09T09:42:00.000-08:00Hi Ward! I read your blog all the time, but his p...Hi Ward! I read your blog all the time, but his post really spoke to me. Figure drawing models: I had a 25ish guy for my first figure model. We had the same guy for pretty much the whole semester, as volunteers were hard to come by. Anyway, let's just say that he could not keep "it" still. "It" was constanly fluctuating between flacid and stiff. Not only was this terribly embarrassing for everyone involved, but it made "it" hard to draw! I had to erase the whole area at times, because it moved SO MUCH! To top it off, he had this ridicukous smirk on his face the whole time! Yikes!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8984824.post-1141919416390793582006-03-09T07:50:00.000-08:002006-03-09T07:50:00.000-08:00The first nude model I had was also the first nude...The first nude model I had was also the first nude woman I saw (I was still a teenager in the sixties). It was my second class at this Art school and I was seated at the first row in front of the stage, totally unaware, when this beautiful young woman came on and disrobed half meter in front of me. I went petrified and terrified of somebody in the room looking into my head. <BR/>So I gathered all my inner strenght to concentrate on her as a "subject" and made a detailed draw of her...face.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com