Hi all. I’d be interested to hear if LD in other countries is similar to where I model in Auckland and Tauranga, New Zealand. None of the groups I model for are teaching groups, they are all groups where local artists come and do their own thing, and in the longer poses, they’re free to move to another position in the circle if they want to use the pose to do 2 shorter drawings rather than 1 long one. The groups all have set schedules (eg 4 x 1 min, 3 x 3 mins, 1 x 5mins, 1 x 10 min, 1 x 15 mins, then 3 x 20 mins), but the model decides the poses, not the facilitator. Cameras are a strict no-no, apart from a small group where everyone knows (and trusts) each other, which allows photos (IF the model agrees) if artists need to finish it later. Group numbers are between 18 and 45, apart from one group at the local art gallery which gets up to 85 (thats a 1 hr lunchtime one in the centre of the city near the University, so gets a lot of students going to it). Fees are between 100-120 New Zealand dollars for 2 hours. I’ve never had an artist say no when I’ve asked to take mobile photo of his/her work when I’ve wandered around the room looking at them during the break or after the group. So, yep, that’s what it’s like here, be interested to hear what it’s like in other countries
Life drawing in my area of New Zealand
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2 responses to “Life drawing in my area of New Zealand”
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Hi! It is indeed interesting to hear experiences from different countries! I am working as a life model in Germany, but still in the beginning of my career, still searching for more opportunities. Sofar I model for a group, a bit similar like what you described, untutored, poses that begin from shorter to longer poses; the facilitator was deciding the length of every pose; I – as the model- was deciding the poses; the poses were from 5 to 15 minutes; some could change their place to get another view of the same pose; cameras were not seen at all; it was a nice experience, comfortable atmosphere, kind and respectful attendees and ficilitators. But I am also modeling for an Art Academy for anatomy and short pose classes, which is different; the tutor is the one who decides about the poses; I just do what they show me or ask me to do, in most cases; evey one would normally have his fixed place, but they are allowed and encouraged to move around, whenever they need for a better understanding of a certain body form or dynamic. Poses were all 25 minutes in both classes; for the anatomy class, 4×25 different poses; for the short poses class, 4×25 same pose for the whole class. This is sofar my experience. Glad to exchange experiences! Thanks for the opportunity!
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Thanks Johann. I guess the anatomy group, the tutor chooses the poses because they want to have ones that highlight specific anatomy muscle groups. Being able to choose the poses in the groups I model for is important because I tend to use a few that have both arms above shoulder height, so they take a lot of practice to get the arm muscles used to that for a pose of 20mins. When you’ve practiced your whole session multiple times, that gives you the extra confidence to know you can do it during the class.
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