1)
What is DFW Art Models? Mission Statement
(Answer
by Dave Kramer ~ WebMaster)
DFW Art Models was created in the Spring of 2000, because there was a need in the art community to help artists find models for their classes and projects. This site is the first of its kind focusing around life drawing. We are here to promote the study of the male and female figure in a non-sexual way. To study and reference the nude or costumed form with respect.
1) Our prime purpose is to help artists pursue the study of the male and female body in the traditional academic way. To help life drawing, life painting and life sculpting groups find good reliable models.
2) Our secondary purpose is to help individual artists find good reliable models for nude or costumed art projects, either from life or photo reference.
3) Our third purpose is to help establish professional behavior between artist and model.
4) And finally to inform and encourage the community in life drawing/painting/sculpting classes.
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2)
Why do artists work from live, and mostly nude, models?
(Answer
by Steve Armes ~ Fine Artist)
It
has been a long held belief that the best way to learn to draw and
render is by studying the human
figure. Artists have made it their goal to learn to convincingly draw
the figure in every conceivable action. The reasons for this has centered
on the artist’s goals, and the best road to achieving those goals.
Throughout the last several hundred years, works involving the human
figure have been considered the noblest creations. Not only is it because
we are interested in ourselves, but the figure has an intrinsic beauty
that lies in its expressiveness, action, color and variety. Therefore,
the academies and workshops of the 18th and 19th centuries sought to
produce artists who were masters at recreating the human form. This was
considered excellent training for all, even those who would never make
use of the figure in their subsequent work. For to render the figure
requires great diligence and accuracy. Errors are easily spotted that
might not be noticeable in the drawing of an animal or a tree. In addition,
the figure is alive, requiring the student to capture its action and
life. Although many artists will ultimately paint the figure with clothing,
the study of the nude figure is essential to being able to create the
structure beneath the clothing.
Today, life classes continue as a part of the artist’s training.
However, they are much varied in structure and aim. For a few, the life
class continues the Academic tradition of careful, accurate renderings
of the figure. For such classes the lighting is carefully controlled,
the pose thoughtfully established, the drawing time is long, often spanning
several sessions. (The typical life drawing session is 3 hours. Hence,
some posses could last 9 to 15 hours, or more for painting and sculpture.)
For others, the life class is as much social as educational, with artists
enjoying the inspiration of fellow artists as well as drawing from the
model. Often these groups will have short poses lasting 5 to 15 minutes,
then changing. Such artists do quick sketches rather than carefully rendered
drawings or paintings. Classes vary with regard to instruction. Some
have no instruction; others have very little.
For the person organizing a life drawing group, the first issue is the
goal of the group. If the artists want to do long and careful academic
studies, the poses will have to be long and the light controlled. Natural
light from high windows or skylights is best. If artificial light is
used, the light on the model should be from a strong, diffuse, single
source. This light must be strong enough to overcome any incidental light
in the room to light the artist’s work. The pose should be one
that accentuates the rhythm and life of the figure.
If the goal of the group is to allow participants to explore more contemporary
approaches to art involving experimental approaches, the poses and lighting
may be less controlled. In such groups, the poses tend to be short (ranging
from 5 minutes to 20 minutes).
Whatever the aims of the group, a few things remain constant. The model
should be treated with respect, since issues of propriety and modesty
are paramount. The model should be instructed beforehand to bring a robe
to wear when not posing. The model should be given a break of 5 minutes
or so every 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the difficulty of the pose.
It is advisable to keep the model engaged through peripheral conversation,
but not preoccupied to the point of moving or constantly chatting. If
the model will resume the same pose after a break, tape can be used to
block in the model to allow for reposing. It is beneficial to vary the
poses from standing to seated to reclining, as well as varying front
and back views.
To see more about rules of behavior for models and artist click
here
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3)
What is a life model?
(Answer
by Steve Armes ~ Fine Artist)
An
artist's model is someone who, above all else, can "hold a pose" for a reasonable time (usually about 45
minutes maximum without a break). It's also someone who can, if required,
pose nude with dignity & self confidence. Naturists call it "body
acceptance." Nudity is not pornography. It's the free expression
of who you are. It's beautiful. An accomplished model should be able
to create poses that satisfy & stimulate the artist. Modeling is
also hard work. Models deserve respect & fair compensation. Regrettably,
this is not always the case. "Minimum wage for art modeling in
2004 is $25 per hour x 3 hour minimum ($75)".
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4)
What is it like to be an artist model?
Modeling
for professional and student artists is worthwhile for me
because I enjoy being a part of the creative process.
I watch the work progress, and I’ve learned a great deal from it.
I also think contributing to other people’s creative endeavors puts
me in the path of positive energy flow that will result in good things
for my creative ventures. While modeling, I listen to the artists’ conversations
or I drift off into my own thoughts. It can be a meditative time. Physically,
modeling is sometimes challenging but it is also graceful and powerful.
Being bare in front of a group of people is a good practice in self
acceptance. It is very freeing. ( Jana - Artist
Model)
I guess the best comparison is to be an actor. To
be on stage entertaining a live audience. The audience is there to study
a naked actor: to draw or paint the essence of a nude human figure. Something
artists have done since time began. For the model, it's a chance to be
immortal. Maybe your likeness will be seen for centuries to come. The human
body is at the very center of art. It's flattering to be an artist model.
Nudity is the truest form of self expression, an art form of its own. Pity
those who who are doomed to live their lives hiding behind clothing. (Steve
- Artist Model)
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5)
Will the whole world know I model for artists?
(Answer
by Dave Kramer ~ WebMaster)
Not if you don't want to be. The site allows the model
the option of being visible only to the instructors and group leaders
in a password protected area. When you fill out the Model form the first
question is your desire to be listed publicly or privately. If you do
choose a private listing, you will greatly reduce your exposure to other
artists and photographers.
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6)
What do artist models make pay wise?
(Answer
by Dave Kramer ~ WebMaster)
The going rate in the DFW area:
for a 3 hr. life group pose is $60 - $90. Some pay more
some pay less.
If an artist needs a model to shoot for photo reference only to
use for a painting or sculpture, the going rate is:
Clothed $50 - $75 per hr.
Nude $75 - $100 per hr.
Artist's pay rate are different from a photographer's because:
1) Artists use photos only as reference and not as the final product.
2) With life painting groups we need models that will pose for weeks
at a time, and most of the art produced in life sessions is just for
practice, and may be stored away never to be seen again.
4) Artist make far less money per hour than a photographer would make.
We artist appreciate deeply the models we work with and feel they are
an important part in the creative process.
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7)
As a model, who has access to my phone number?
Being Listed and having access to the phone list is
only given to legitimate life session leaders in the Dallas / Fort Worth
area (those who head up drawing, painting or sculpting life sessions).
We check on each request before giving a password.
Instructors, unlike individual artists and photographers, need access
to phone numbers for quicker response when lining up models for their
group or class. If an instructor can't get a model to commit in a timely
manor the class is wasted for a room full of artists.
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