Thursday, January 22, 2015

Etiquette for Artists and Their Nude Models

I've been asked recently for some guidelines for appropriate artist's behavior when working with models in a life drawing group. This is what I came up with.

Rules for Artists:

1. DO NOT touch the model, NO exceptions. No touching is a cardinal rule, not to be broken, ever. This rule also applies to artists when working with models privately for life drawing or photography sessions.

2. DO NOT photograph the model and do not ask the model if you can take a picture. A model may feel obligated to say yes because you are paying them, so it's best to not even ask. Make a separate appointment for photography because when an artist's model does photographic modeling, they make at least two to four times as much per hour as live models. Photographers/artists should have a model release specifically stating the intended use of the photographs.


3. DO NOT chat with the model when he/she is modeling. Conversation is distracting for the model and your fellow artists.


4. DO NOT make comments about the model's body.


5. DO NOT invade the model's personal space.  This includes sitting on the model stand any time the model is on it, five feet away is a good starting point.


6. DO NOT ask the model personal questions such as their last name, where they live, etc.


7. DO NOT ask the model out on a date.


8. DO NOT remove your clothes when the model does. I bring this up because it happened in one of my drawing classes when I was a college student.


9. DO NOT allow non-artists to wander through the room.