Monday, July 17, 2006
Figure modeling as meditation
I'd been sitting in Zazen for about a year when I remembered my father's question about my various enthusiasms: "but is it practical?" (Never mind that my interest in Philosophy, Logic and Math led eventually to a career in programming.) So I started thinking about what could be a practical application for Zen. That was a tough one. It would have to be something that required staying still. Then it struck me. Figure modeling! Of course! I called various art schools in the area and asked who were the life class instructors. At first I had a tough time saying what I wanted, but the receptionist guessed and gave me the numbers of several instructors. So I called and basically said I wanted to get naked for them and their class!. After about a month, one of the scheduled models couldn't make it and I got my chance. Soon I got used to it, the concentration and focus required seemed very similar to my state of concentration during Zazen. And they paid me for it.
Once, I noticed this passage from "Crooked Cucumber, The Life and Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki" by David Chadwick:
Answers to some frequently asked questions about modeling:
Q: I've often thought about it, but how do I get started?
A: Find out where in your area "life classes" are held. Look under "Art" in the Yellow Pages. Call universities, colleges, community colleges, art associations, art schools, schools of design. Say you want to model and ask for the life class instructors. Be polite but persistent. Be honest when asked if you have experience. It takes a while to get started. You may first get your chance to pose clothed for a portrait class, or asked on short notice to model for a life class because the scheduled model couldn't make it. That's how you get experience.
Q: How much does it pay?
A: Don't quit your day job. I get between 8 and 15 dollars an hour for a 2 1/2 hour class. The most I've heard of is $30.00 an hour.
Q: What if I'm too thin/fat/tall/short/medium/old/young?
A: Everyone is insecure about their body. This is a way to get over that. You can be too young. I think the minimum age is 18, but that may vary by area. Other than that, if you can hold a pose well, you're perfect. ALL body types are needed (and appreciated). One cannot be too fat, thin, etc. Just make the pose interesting. You need to learn different types of poses other than straight sitting, standing or lying down that you can hold for the alloted time. You can easily learn these so do not worry. If the artists accept your body well enough to draw it, why can't you? They want to draw what's there. Besides, it's fun being the center of attention.
Q: How do I prepare?
A: It's a natural progression for naturists to try modeling. Also dancers...they bring in lots of poses and are very flexible. I've heard acting students do well too.
Try staying still for a few minutes, then gradually increasing the time up to 20 minutes. A meditation practice such as Zazen helps. Zazen (Zen Buddhist meditation) is great training for life models. Also, I've been told yoga and any physical training are good preparation. Go to the library and get books on classic art, figure drawing, nude photography, and dance. You can sometimes use or adapt poses from them.
Q: What should I wear?
A: This question is not as dumb as it sounds. Bring a robe with you and put it on after removing your street clothes. When the instructor indicates he/she is ready to start, take it off. Put it on during breaks and when the class ends. You may also want to bring with you a single sheet and a bath towel to sit, stand or lie on ( sometimes you need to sit on a metal stool and they're cold!) Also, some favorite music to play in class may be allowed. Also, bring in some props such as a pole, hat, tennis racket, etc. to pose with. Carbon from the students pencils is all over the floor and usually the soles of my feet are black by the time class is over. You may want to bring a few moist towelettes to clean your feet with, or wear a pair of easily removed sandals or flip-flops and take them off with the robe.
Q: How should I conduct myself?
A: A good model doesn't talk and stays still. Be friendly and wait for breaks to chat. Don't undress in front of the class.
Q: Then where should I undress?
Usually there's a restroom or a screen nearby where you can undress and don your robe and sandals.
Q: What is a typical class like?
A: Some instructors have the model do do two minute poses for gesture drawings the whole class. One had me keep the same pose for three 2 1/2 hour classes in a row. But usually, the class starts with 5 2 minute poses, then increasing up to 20 minutes each till the class ends. You may be asked to work with another model, either male or female. Make sure that you are comfortable working nude first before you try this. You can learn from the other model.
Once, I noticed this passage from "Crooked Cucumber, The Life and Teaching of Shunryu Suzuki" by David Chadwick:
"P. had transcendent experiences both playing football and painting, but it was modeling for other artists that first gave him the calm, subtle state of mind that led to his interest in meditation. Everyone in life drawing class at the San Francisco Art Institute wanted to draw his big, muscular body. It exploded with energy, and when he modeled, he found his energy becoming focused in stillness rather than in the fierceness of combat sport. He felt at home in that state of mind. It wasn't fixed, it flowed, and it was devoid of the complication of social life." page 192
Answers to some frequently asked questions about modeling:
Q: I've often thought about it, but how do I get started?
A: Find out where in your area "life classes" are held. Look under "Art" in the Yellow Pages. Call universities, colleges, community colleges, art associations, art schools, schools of design. Say you want to model and ask for the life class instructors. Be polite but persistent. Be honest when asked if you have experience. It takes a while to get started. You may first get your chance to pose clothed for a portrait class, or asked on short notice to model for a life class because the scheduled model couldn't make it. That's how you get experience.
Q: How much does it pay?
A: Don't quit your day job. I get between 8 and 15 dollars an hour for a 2 1/2 hour class. The most I've heard of is $30.00 an hour.
Q: What if I'm too thin/fat/tall/short/medium/old/young?
A: Everyone is insecure about their body. This is a way to get over that. You can be too young. I think the minimum age is 18, but that may vary by area. Other than that, if you can hold a pose well, you're perfect. ALL body types are needed (and appreciated). One cannot be too fat, thin, etc. Just make the pose interesting. You need to learn different types of poses other than straight sitting, standing or lying down that you can hold for the alloted time. You can easily learn these so do not worry. If the artists accept your body well enough to draw it, why can't you? They want to draw what's there. Besides, it's fun being the center of attention.
Q: How do I prepare?
A: It's a natural progression for naturists to try modeling. Also dancers...they bring in lots of poses and are very flexible. I've heard acting students do well too.
Try staying still for a few minutes, then gradually increasing the time up to 20 minutes. A meditation practice such as Zazen helps. Zazen (Zen Buddhist meditation) is great training for life models. Also, I've been told yoga and any physical training are good preparation. Go to the library and get books on classic art, figure drawing, nude photography, and dance. You can sometimes use or adapt poses from them.
Q: What should I wear?
A: This question is not as dumb as it sounds. Bring a robe with you and put it on after removing your street clothes. When the instructor indicates he/she is ready to start, take it off. Put it on during breaks and when the class ends. You may also want to bring with you a single sheet and a bath towel to sit, stand or lie on ( sometimes you need to sit on a metal stool and they're cold!) Also, some favorite music to play in class may be allowed. Also, bring in some props such as a pole, hat, tennis racket, etc. to pose with. Carbon from the students pencils is all over the floor and usually the soles of my feet are black by the time class is over. You may want to bring a few moist towelettes to clean your feet with, or wear a pair of easily removed sandals or flip-flops and take them off with the robe.
Q: How should I conduct myself?
A: A good model doesn't talk and stays still. Be friendly and wait for breaks to chat. Don't undress in front of the class.
Q: Then where should I undress?
Usually there's a restroom or a screen nearby where you can undress and don your robe and sandals.
Q: What is a typical class like?
A: Some instructors have the model do do two minute poses for gesture drawings the whole class. One had me keep the same pose for three 2 1/2 hour classes in a row. But usually, the class starts with 5 2 minute poses, then increasing up to 20 minutes each till the class ends. You may be asked to work with another model, either male or female. Make sure that you are comfortable working nude first before you try this. You can learn from the other model.
