Questionairs

As part of the research for my Practice I sent out a set of questionairs, one directed at models and one at artists interested in life drawing.

The responses are varied and valuable in the broader perspective they have offered me, here are a few.

The names of participants and a few answers of questions have been removed for privacy purposes. If you find yourself here and are not happy with it just let me know and it will be immediately removed.

Models;

Why did you first begin modelling?
While an Art student, mid-1980s.

Were there any other contributing factors in this decision?
I needed a model, so did friends, so we bartered.

Do friends/family outside of the collective know you model?
No.If not, why?
My family wouldn’t have understood – they thought Muybridge’s photographs were porn!

What do you enjoy most about modelling?
Holding interesting poses. I liked the challenge of being still.

Are there anythings you dislike?
Getting a rash on my chest when nervous…..

How do you usually feel while modelling?
Usually calm, like a statue, depending on the company. Sometimes erotic – that could have been a plaster cast warming up though?

Have you ever felt differently to this and why?
A group of ladies wanted a very difficult pose, lack of blood in my arm. Painful…..

How long have you been modelling?
On/Off for a decade.

Have your ideas/ feelings about modelling changed over time?
Not sure how I’d feel now, flab/scars etc change your body image & confidence.

Have you ever seen an image which captures your personality?
Yes, a chalk/charcoal drawing in 1985.

What about this image did so?
It was the closest likeness of me I’ve seen – better than a mirror!

Have you ever seen an image which you particularly disliked?
Hmmm…..

What was it you disliked?
It’s very irritating if you’ve been stuck in an amazing pose for a long time and the class have drawn nothing like it…….I remember why I draw now! Thank you!

Why did you first begin modeling?

17 years ago. Friendship… a friend couldn’t find a male willing to model for her classes

Were there any other contributing factors in this decision?

Some
Do friends/family outside of the collective know you model?

Not parents as they wouldn’t understand

What do you enjoy most about modelling?

Self employment, emotional and physical freedom, sharing confidence with others, challenging people, being involved in the artistic community, meting interesting people
Are there anythings you dislike?

Cold, pain, tutors that don’t keep to timings

How do you usually feel while modelling?

it varies, feelings range from happy to thoughtful to frustrated… Same as most occupations I think.

Have you ever felt differently to this and why?

When new to tutored modelling I have felt vulnerable – there is something very different about directing yourself and being directed.
Have your ideas/ feelings about modelling changed over time?

No, same ethos applies – a desire to share confidence and natural feelings/views of the naked human form
Have you ever seen an image which captures your personality?

Yes, several…

What about this image did so?

The personality of the moment or of a typical ‘me’ gesture

Have you ever seen an image which you particularly disliked?

Some photographs. A lot of drawings that are not well done can be unflatering…

What was it you disliked?

Unflatering or capturing a ‘look’ I don’t like. Mostly it is photography that is evil

Why did you first begin modelling?
It was the only job still advertising in cheltenham between first and second year of uni, and I was very poor!

Were there any other contributing factors in this decision?
I had a friend who studied at the art school advertising who said it was pretty good!

Do friends/family outside of the collective know you model?
Yes- friends and most family (not my mum!)

If not, why?
very religeous mother who wouldn’t approve of public nudity

What do you enjoy most about modelling?
Having a job without a large time committment

Are there anything you dislike?
my legs going to sleep!

How do you usually feel while modelling?
I tend to daydream throughout- can feel a bit rubbish if I can’t think of any poses.

Have you ever felt differently to this and why?
Not really!

How long have you been modelling?
three-ish years

Have your ideas/ feelings about modelling changed over time?
No!

Have you ever seen an image which captures your personality?
not that I can think of, there have been lots of lovely pictures but not one stand-out one

What about this image did so?

Have you ever seen an image which you particularly disliked?
Any which give me lots of belly rolls!

Artists;

Why do you attend life drawing sessions?

Accurate and technical drawing I think are the basis of all great figurative work. Life drawing helps the level of art not only in illustration, but also animation. I like to sit and draw for 2/3 hours, and just focus on one person/thing. It becomes almost meditative, and lets me escape a bit.

What ‘body type’ do you particularly enjoy drawing?

Any. All. There are pros and cons to every body type, but I particularly enjoy “ugly” drawings. Old people, fat people, things that aren’t “normal” and stretch the limits of perception and my own skill.

Have you ever modelled yourself?

No! Maybe in the future 

When drawing a model what is it you are trying to capture?

Anatomical correctness/proper proportion. Always striving for the perfect picture.

Why and how do you do this?

I try to take what I know and improve upon it every time. I always start the same way, and over time find new things that work, and new techniques that will let me work faster, and more accurately. I seem to always work in pencil, as I believe in mastering the basics, before moving on. This may be holding me back, but I also think it’s easier to bluff accuracy with more elaborate media. You can’t hide with a sharp pencil.

What would you consider to be a well done/ accomplished sketch and why?

A sketch that had great attention to anatomical detail, and which had proper fore shortening and proportion!

Traditional life drawing classes are often led by a tutor and follow strict rules regarding the model while Cardiff Life Model Collective runs more informal sessions.

Do you prefer a formal or informal environment to work in?

Personally, I get very focused when I draw. I like quite formal environments, as I can focus better. However, I like for the models to also be comforatble, so I like talking and chit chat too (so long as the pose isn’t too compromised!)

Why?

Will the above do?

Do you prefer formal or informal interaction with models?
Why?

I think I answered this already! Tell me if you need more 

Would you make any changes to life drawing sessions run by the collective? What and why would you do so?

I don’t think so! The change I noticed in my most recent participations was the idea to get the artists coming up with the poses, which I thought was genius. I think it’s a great collective, and run really well!

Why do you attend life drawing sessions?
Because I want to develop my own voice!

What ‘body type’ do you particularly enjoy drawing?
Fat and old people are fun… but everyone is interesting

Have you ever modelled yourself?
Yes!

When drawing a model what is it you are trying to capture?
Often the subtleties of the pose that are suggestive of character, at my last lot of sessions I looked very hard at light and shadow and how this tells you about the form…it does depend on the pose and the model though, you have to capture that moment i suppose

Why and how do you do this?
Er, good question…. through use of line and tone….because I enjoy doing it? :s

What would you consider to be a well done/ accomplished sketch and why?
Really love the drawings from the quick poses….they have so much life to them.

Traditional life drawing classes are often led by a tutor and follow strict rules regarding the model while Cardiff Life Model Collective runs more informal sessions.

Do you prefer a formal or informal environment to work in?
The informal one

Why?
Because its easier to work in a relaxed environment…. creativity is a timid creature 

Do you prefer formal or informal interaction with models?
Informal

Why?
Contributes to the relaxed atmosphere…plus from a modelling point of view its nice to just have a chat at the same time

Why do you attend life drawing sessions?

Mainly to get better at drawing, it’s also turned into quite a nice social thing and a good opportunity to meet people. I tend to draw mainly from my imagination at work/home. This can get you stuck into bad habits, observational drawing is a good way to stop this happening.

What ‘body type’ do you particularly enjoy drawing?

I don’t mind really, I do like how the Life Model Collective has so many models my favourite thing to draw is faces so it’s good to get to draw a lot of them. Suppose I prefer to draw slim people to large people as you get to see how the muscles and bones work better.

Have you ever modelled yourself?

Nope

When drawing a model what is it you are trying to capture?

What’s in front of me, but also to really capture the feeling of the pose, so when you look at it you can feel like what being in that pose would be like. I also try and keep the lines lively and not too overworked to hopefully keep a bit of energy in the drawing.

Why and how do you do this?

I try and draw the main line of action or weight first and then build from that. I also look out for nice flowing lines in the figure that should help keep the pic looking nice.

What would you consider to be a well done/ accomplished sketch and why?

What I’ve said above really. Something accurate but not so that it detracts from the energy of the drawing.

Traditional life drawing classes are often led by a tutor and follow strict rules regarding the model while Cardiff Life Model Collective runs more informal sessions.

Do you prefer a formal or informal environment to work in?

Either

Why?

The informal sessions are nice for just dropping in and drawing. It’s nice from time to time to go to a more structured class to get some pointers on how the drawings are going.Do you prefer formal or informal interaction with models?

Informal

Why?

Even when I’ve been to more orthodox life classes interaction with the models has always been pretty informal, chatting with them drawing the session and in breaks. I never went to art college so I’ve never really experienced formal interaction with models.

Would you make any changes to life drawing sessions run by the collective? What and why would you do so?

Nothing really but the ideas Andy has suggested about Harry Holland maybe teaching a session sound really good to me.