Child Reference

[Rabid]

Anyone have an idea for good children body studies...since it is far to creepy and risky to find a child model. But there are definetly different body ratios that I need for an upcoming piece...

Any helpful websites or resources you guys can think of?

Preemptive thank you....

[J Wilson]

I don't see there being anything creepy about using a child model for reference. It certainly doesn't need to be undressed at all because the basic anatomy is exactly the same, just proportioned differently (which you can see just fine clothed). Most of the differences will be in the head, face and hands I think (depending on the age). Just go a little under muscled and check the proportions.

I'm sure resources like Flickr have plenty of photos of kids to study proportions. I'd suggest shooting your own reference for the final though.

[Jasonwclark]

This drawspace tutorial might be helpful

http://www.drawspace.com/lessons/lesson.php?id=u06

[Rabid]

Thanks Jason, that isn't bad at all. I have to agree with you Dweller. I might just need to get some shots myself because it is a very specific and akward pose that you normally wouldn't find a child in. I'll look to my immediate family and find a 5-8 year old for the shot. I mean I have a whole list of private models I call on for work around here. But I could just see the hatemail that would spawn from.

"Artist Seeking Part Time Child Model"...*shudder*

[Blue]

I do agree rabid that unless the child is yours.. it is impossible to find one to do nude studies of these days. There is such high fear of pedophiles, people just assume ... Hell you can't even visit a grade school to do sketches, because it is 'suspicious'.

The one thing that i had to use was baby photos of myself. My father is a professional photographer so there are a few thousand images of me as I was small.

[J Wilson]

Thanks Jason, that isn't bad at all. I have to agree with you Dweller. I might just need to get some shots myself because it is a very specific and akward pose that you normally wouldn't find a child in. I'll look to my immediate family and find a 5-8 year old for the shot. I mean I have a whole list of private models I call on for work around here. But I could just see the hatemail that would spawn from.

"Artist Seeking Part Time Child Model"...*shudder*

Yeah, people are hyper sensative about that stuff, not that I blame them because there are a lot of freaks out there. People hear model and artist and assume nudes. You have to be very clear and expressly state it's a clothed shoot. "Artist seeking child model for [project type here]. Parents welcomed" might be safer, because then it lets people know it's a legit purpose with a specific goal, and not just some artist who feels like drawing kids for hours. Family members, friends family members, or other artist's family members would all probably be less problematic modeling choices though, as they'll know what's going on.

[Homeless Foxman]

I found this awhile back, I feel like a creepy pedophile when i look at it even though its for reference. It's a nudist site, there are some kids in there. But this website also has a lot of natural poses since they're nudists going about their daily lives... with people taking pictures of them...

Child Pron (http://www.bebaretoo.com/free-naked-pictures.html)

[Earendil]

Loomis's "Figure Drawing For All It's Worth" has the following guide on child-adult proportions.

364386

[CCThrom]

Most of the children's book illustrators I know use friends and family as reference.

[Rabid]

Thanks for the links guys, this stuff is really gonna help, actually the nudist site isn't bad at all! Alot of good poses. Thank for proportions Earendil. I'm gonna look through my extended family and see if I can't get a photo or two next time there is a nice family gathering. For one I know I don't need a nude shot. I can roll without one. The child is going to be partially clothed anyways.

[Earendil]

National Geographic would probably have some good photos too now that I think about it.

[Naomi Ningishzidda]

shit, now I want to take pictures of my kids before they get too old

but thinking of having a bunch of naked kids photos on my computer just creeps me out, seriously

I think I'll just stick with monsters...

[Jacob Kobryn]

You don't have to photograph them naked. You can analyze someones proportions just as easily with their clothes on.

[Naomi Ningishzidda]

Well, that's sort of true, with high realism in the french tradition you would definately need a live model just like Bouguereau (!!!)

Oh, I just realized - Bouguereau - he hired child models, take a look at his child nudes for reference. He was accused of being a pedophile as well, an accusation which I find rediculous, since he's just not like that....

[DavePalumbo]

I've seen some anatomy texts that include children. I think it's probably going to be older books, but try browsing at some of your local used book stores in the art section. The only book I know specifically is An Atlas of Anatomy for Artists by Fritz Schider, which has photo progressions in front, rear, and profile from child to adult, though I'm sure there are many others.

[Rabid]

shit, now I want to take pictures of my kids before they get too old

but thinking of having a bunch of naked kids photos on my computer just creeps me out, seriously

I think I'll just stick with monsters...


You could get child performance tights...although your kids may look at you weird for a while afterwards...:hugsmile:


Thanks Dave I know a bookstore close by that has that exact book by Fritz.

[Peter Coene]

Loomis's "Figure Drawing For All It's Worth" has the following guide on child-adult proportions.

364386
Has anyone ever noticed that these type of charts often feel like some sort of guide for recognizing Arian children?

[Carl Dobsky]

If I remember correctly, there is a book of works by Edward Muybridge ( I think thaf's how you spell his name) called the Human Body in Motion. In it are a bunch of photos of a nude child in all sorts of poses.

[Elwell]

Edward Muybridge ( I think thaf's how you spell his name)
Eadweard Muybridge (pronounced Edward, the spelling was some sort of strange affectation).

[Farvus]

Try Gottfried Bammes "Der Nackte Mensch" anatomy book. It has both charts and photos with different ages.