The California Building, in NE Minneapolis, hosts the studios of around 80 artists, one of whom, Florence Hill, has held a Sunday figure drawing session since the early 1970s (in various places before arriving at the California building), the longest continually running figure drawing group in the area. Florence, in her 90s, is small woman with a big heart and a big talent. I’ve posed there a number of times in the past year and a half, including last Sunday. My shyness tends to grow when I’m there, due to its size – I’ve seen more than 40 artists in attendance, and never fewer than around 25. As kind as everyone is, I get more nervous as the number of artists increases. But, surprise surprise, my nerves were calm on Sunday, despite a somewhat sore back and a medium-large group. I may be (finally) getting the hang of this.
Sessions at Florence’s start with five 2-minute poses, followed by three 5-minute, and three 10-minute poses. After a break there’s a 20-minute and a 25-minute pose, another break, and a final 20 and 25-minute pose. The room is big, with artists spread all over the room and the model stand in the middle. Here are a few drawings from Sunday’s session:
I always look forward to posing for Florence’s group and love the challenge of trying to create drawable shapes for a large diverse group without repeating poses from previous sessions. Here’s to you, Florence, and to all the wonderful artists who take the time to create there!
I recently posed at a place in Mound, MN. It was quite a drive from my home in Minneapolis, but I’d been recommended, which was flattering, plus I like a new challenge, so I accepted.
The space was cozy, and with only three friendly artists (and one dog), it was the smallest group I’d ever posed for. I had planned to start with some 2 or 3-minute poses but was asked to skip ahead to 5s. Those were followed by some 15s and then some longer poses. I rarely ask to photograph the drawings, but did this time, but only at the end, so I have only two photos of my last longish pose, this one drawn by the organizer, Joyce:
And this, drawn by another artist:
I also posed recently for a group of art professors from various local colleges. Another super friendly and talented group, with a really cool space in St Paul. Here are the few photos I took from that session:
One of the artists told me he’d been the most inspired by that session than he had been in a long while, which was super flattering, and another asked me to model for a weeklong session she’s holding in January. I had to decline – I have a day job – but would have loved to see the art that would come from a long, single pose. I’m hoping to model for her group in the spring when she starts Saturday sessions.
I’m posing again this Sunday (12-17-2023) for Florence Hill’s group, where I pose every few months. I’ll try to get up the courage to ask more artists if I can photograph what they draw. The weird thing is that I’m a shy person, which makes standing around naked an ironic thing to do (and which makes me nervous every time). Florence Hill’s group is a big change from all other groups I model for because of the number of artists: there are rarely fewer than 25, as opposed to a more typical 5-8. And I’ve seen over 40 at Florence’s group, which is a bit nerve wracking for a shy, non-nudist like me, despite the very friendly and professional atmosphere. But that’s part of the challenge!
I posed today (9/13/2023) at Zeller Studio, in Hopkins, MN for a group of about 12 artists. In hour one I did ten 2-minute poses and seven 5-minutes poses. Hour two was three 15-minute poses, and hour three two 22-minute poses. The afternoon was a single pose held 3 times, 45-minutes each.
Zeller Studio is beautiful – lots of gorgeous art, and every amenity a model needs, and its namesake, Deb Zeller, is a friendly host and fantastic artist (check out some of her work). Most the drawings below are by Deb, with one by Christa (noted):
Deb Zeller, 22-min pose, 9/13/202345-minute pose, drawn by Christa, at Zeller Studio, Hopkins, MN.22-minute pose, drawn by Deb Zeller, Zeller Studio, Hopkins, MN.22-minute pose, drawn by Deb Zeller, Zeller Studio, Hopkins, MN.15-minute pose, drawn by Deb Zeller, Zeller Studio, Hopkins, MN.15-minute pose, drawn by Deb Zeller, Zeller Studio, Hopkins, MN.Five-minute pose, drawn by Deb Zeller, Zeller Studio, Hopkins, MN.Series of 2-minutes poses, drawn by Deb Zeller, Zeller Studio, Hopkins, MN.
Why stand naked in front of an artist, much less a roomful of artists sitting in a circle around your mini model-stand?
Charles West Cope – The Life Class
Why sit, stand, crouch, and hold twisty poses for artists? Short poses may last only a minute or two, but they are often strenuous, and longer poses may last 45 minutes – 45 minutes of stillness. And to make matters worse, other than during short breaks where a robe is worn, the model has nothing on. Why would anyone but a masochistic nudist do that?
Nine Reasons I Enjoy Figure Modeling
Here’s my non-nudist, non-masochist list of reasons why I enjoy figure modeling:
Fitness: Posing is hard, and it’s an impetus to stretch and to stay in better shape.
A fun pose to hold, but hard to hold long,
2. Stillness: Because long poses force me to be still, I’ve begun memorizing poems (like “Sea Fever,” by John Masefield) to help keep my mind occupied.
3. Quiet: I also use long poses to practice quieting my mind.
4. Art Appreciation: I see paintings and sculpture differently and more critically than I did before I modeled. I appreciate it more.
5. Body Appreciation: I’m lucky that I can hold dynamic poses. I relish that I am physically able to create art-worthy shapes with nothing but my (fifty-something) body.
6. Self-talk: I tend to imagine people thinking negative things about me. Being naked in front of 30 people is a perfect time to practice squashing negative self-talk and being more confident than I really am.
7. Creativity: I treat a modeling gig as a choreographed, stop-motion dance routine. I find images I love, in books, in museums and galleries, and online, and am inspired to create my own poses, where I’m frozen temporarily, like a living Rockwell Kent print.
Masthead, by Rockwell Kent
8. Attention: When I model, I’m the center of attention. It can be nerve wracking, but despite my shyness I kind of enjoy it.
9. People: When I model, I meet interesting, artistic, friendly people, all trying to create something beautiful or exciting or challenging during a few quiet hours.
Creativity, Peace, Art, People
During a recent long standing pose I stared out a window where I could see the tree line and darkening skies. I listened to a thunderstorm beginning outside, while inside all was quiet except for pencils scratching. I could do nothing with my body but pose, so I relaxed (as much as is possible when standing stock still) and felt my worries leave. That quiet time was a kind of forced meditation, the end of which promised wonderful art created by cool people.
In short, I pose for the creativity, the stillness, the people, the peace, and the art.
I modeled last night for the wonderful St Paul Old Town Artists group. It was a hot night (91F), and a small group (just 5 in attendance), but the art was fantastic, and the artists friendly and interesting as always. The 2-hour session started with three 3-minute poses, followed by a single pose held the rest of the night, in 22-minute intervals, with 8-minute breaks.
I used a rope, looped around one leg of the model stand, for the first 3-minute pose, leaning back and pulling hard, then did two more 3-minute poses (one crouching, one standing and twisting, aiming my imaginary bow and arrow at some imaginary target beneath me), before switching to the long pose. The long pose was the most relaxing I’ve ever done, seated in a cushy chair, one foot on a step stool:
Charcoal drawing by Mark FerreyDrawing by Tom
Despite the heat (no direct AC in the studio), thanks to a powerful fan I was likely the most comfortable person in the room.
We ended at 9 and walked out together into a still warm but really pleasant night. It was a relaxing evening (for me, anyway) spent with some friendly and talented artists.
The two poses below are from the previous time I modeled for Old Town. I didn’t post them then as I had no blog, but they’re so good I decided I should post them now:
Welcome to my blog! I’m a male figure model living in Minneapolis, MN, USA. This is not a full-time job, but something I do on the side for the challenge and creativity. This blog is my attempt to help other figure models, especially newer models, learn to model safely and enjoyably. With that in mind, I’ll post advice, ideas, and drawings of poses. Comments and suggestions appreciated!
In today’s post I’ll talk about what figure modeling is, what a modeling session looks like, how long they last, and what a pose schedule might look like. By the end of the post, you should know enough about modeling sessions to start preparing to model yourself.
What is Figure Modeling?
Figure modeling is where a person uses their body to create and hold poses for artists to draw, paint, or sculpt in a drawing class or workshop.
The model is usually nude.
The model typically works on a platform (“model stand”) in the front or middle of a room. The model stand is usually slightly raised (about a foot high) and maybe 6’x6’ square.
There are likely stools and pillows and maybe a stick/staff for use in poses.
What is a Figure Drawing Workshop?
A drawing workshop may be held in a classroom if you’re modeling for a school, or in a room in a studio if you’re modeling for a public drawing group. There will be a model stand in the front or middle of the room, and chairs, tables, and easels arranged in front of, or sometimes on all sides of, the model stand. There’s probably art hanging on the walls, and paper covering windows to keep gawkers at bay.
A typical drawing workshop setup:
What is the makeup of drawing groups?
You might pose for a small group of artists, sitting right in front of you, or for 45 artists sitting in a circle around you. Artists in a school will reflect that school’s population, but outside of schools, artists will be of all ages.
How Are Figure Model Drawing Workshops Structured?
Drawing workshops may run from 1 hour to 6 hours or longer
There’s usually a session coordinator whose job is to make sure the model has what they need and to get things kicked off
The model begins with their robe on, removes it to pose, wears it during breaks
There is usually a pose schedule. A pose schedule for a three-hour session will vary, but might look like this:
First hour
Five 2-minute poses Three 5-minute poses Two 15-minute poses
15-minute break
Second hour
One 20-minute pose One 25-minute pose
15-minute break
Third hour
One 20-minute pose One 25-minute pose
Here’s an example of how a session with the above schedule might run, and a few poses it might include:
At the start of the session the coordinator says, “Our model today is _______, and it’s time to start,” and you remove your robe, start your timer, and twist into a short pose.
A short pose…
typically lasts 30 seconds to 3 minutes
should be dynamic, twisty, interesting (maybe you’re stretching, but your stretch is stylized – more twisted than usual, muscles tensed more than usual, one arm above your head and the other behind your back, and one leg stretched out on your toes, etc.)
should provide an interesting view of your body to everyone in the room wherever they’re sitting.
Here’s a quick sketch of a 3-minute pose I’ve done:
Drawing by Darre
When your timer rings you move into your next pose. You make a half-turn to make sure all artists see all angles over a session, and you change the height of your pose to keep things interesting. For example, you might crouch, one arm down, the other up, like you’re shielding your face from the sun. However you pose, you try to hold your body so it twists and tightens and curves to create something interesting for all to draw:
Drawing by Darre
After five 2-minute poses you move to three 5-minute poses – still short enough to be dynamic, but limitations start creeping in. Can you stand on your toes for five minutes? I can’t. Maybe you grab a rope, lean back and twist to one side, one leg tensed, and an arm out, pointing. Now the artists have muscles to draw and angles that a model couldn’t manage without the aid of something like a rope. If it’s not easy to see muscles in your body, you might sit on a stool, one leg out, another crossed over, one hand on your neck, head turned. Whether you grab a rope and strain, or you sit in a more relaxed pose for five minutes, your goal is to always give artists something interesting to draw.
Here’s an example of a five-minute pose I’ve done:
Drawing by Darre
Poses increase in length until you finish the first hour, put your robe on, and take a break. You have two hours left and it could be structured in various ways. It may be four different poses, each held for 20 or 25 minutes, or a single pose repeated multiple times (with breaks between each). Here’s a quick sketch of a pose I held four times for 22 minutes each:
Drawing by Darre
When the session ends, the artists applaud, and you put your robe on and wander around looking at some of the art.
To me, modeling is a kind of stop-motion dance routine, one where I try to create poses that are dynamic, interesting, artistic, and maybe a kind of writing prompt for an artist, and if I feel like I’ve done that I walk away feeling a sense of accomplishment for doing something creative, scary, and physically and mentally challenging.
I hope this gives you an idea of what figure modeling is and how drawing sessions are run.
2 responses to “Figure Modeling in a Nutshell”
Jordan Brown
Thanks for sharing. I’m going to pass this on to my figure drawing group. Feel free to find me on IG @favor178
Figure Model Musings 
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