So how do I find my self a model?

[Lakeland]

Hello
Im a newbie to drawing.
After going through light/color/perspective/line art tutorials and
attending classes at art school as a free listener I ve noticed that nothing developes me more than studying a life model.

My question is perhaps silly, but you might adress it seriously since it really poses some amount of difficulty to me.

1.) How do I find a life model?

be it a guy or a girl. Id preffer girl ofcourse >.>

How do I go about that?
Go and buy a advert in a newspaper?
ask around in a local art collage?
ask friends? (jeez... Hey *random girl name* would you like to pose me ofr money?)

I ve got ideas on several compositions, that require girls and guys of certain body type (athletic for good anathomy, for one) should I attach that requirement to the advert or?...



2.) How do you deal with your models?
is it like you need to chat with the people or what? Sitting there not moving is a pretty hard job... and what if the girl feels chatty and you re doing her face?
Is it more of a "I pay - I demand" relationship or more of a friendly relationship?

If the girl or a guy, is a amateur model, how do you deal with the nudity issue?
I just find "Hello, id like you to pose for me, without your clothes" a bit hard.

Folks that I know tell me to ask someone I know very well.
My wife would be perfect except she cant stand still for more than 3 minutes...
Then she gets cold or something... eehh..
Im beggining my road of 30 sek pose with her hehe :)



Im really confused here.
..
halp?

[nauvice]

hiring models isnt cheap, I'd say a great option is to find a class (atelier, private session, school, anything) that has live models so not only do you have a model, but you're around other artists and a teacher who could help. me, i spent two years going to a figure drawing class in a community college, didnt take any other classes but that, and it was an amazing, inexpensive experience

[Hookswords]

Check around at local colleges, art schools, and even art communities or parts of town that are more "artsy". Many places will have open figure drawing where you can lay down a few dollars for the night. Most places in my area are once a week or once a month.

[Lakeland]

well you see....Im live in Poland, your kind of thinking is too "westerny" to me xD
The reality here is a tad.... different xD

And the money isnt a issue really.

[z01ks]

What you're talking about is more for the established professionals. You should try to find a class like the others said. I don't believe for a second that there are none in a major Polish city. Look around and ask around. Life drawing classes also have mentors and other students that might be very good that you can learn from. It's obvious that that kind of environment is a lot more comfortable than what you described. :P

[Noah Bradley]

There are modeling websites which have a large database of models. You could probably find one nearby that would be willing to work as an artist's model. No telling what they would charge, though.

[Hookswords]

You can always try craiglist or modeling sites as suggested above.

[dierat]

If you do decide to get a model yourself, you could ask around and find others who are interested in drawing from the model and split the cost. I understand money isn't an issue, but it's very motivating to have a group of people working in the same space and it could be a great way to meet other artists and give each other advice.

For finding said models, I have often wondered about this myself. I think I were looking for a model, I would make a flyer and go tape it up in any area where students might go (I say students because they're a group of people with busy schedules who often need some quick money). I wouldn't bother adding in the specific poses or body types that you're looking for. Just list the length of time you would need the model, whether it's nude or clothed (or both), and how much $$ you're offering per hour. Give your e-mail address and your phone number. Also you might want to state that previous experience with modelling is not required.

You could also try asking around at any art establishments that are in your area. Art stores, art groups, anywhere that they teach art classes, anyone who is attached to the art culture in your area. You never know who knows who or who knows what.

For online model databases, there are much fewer models on these sites for areas outside of the US and the UK, but there are a couple and you could try them first. The only sites I know are model mayhem (http://www.modelmayhem.com/), model arc (http://www.modelarc.com/) (model arc is really uk/us centered, you need to search for 'poland' to find models in your area), and www.onemodelplace.com . (Model mayhem has a lot more models in your area than the other 2.)

[Falchion]

Chloroform + Zip-ties = Model

:devil:;)

[bhanu]

If all the above fail.
Try finding, in yourself, a model.

[TASmith]

I imagine wages are lower for models in Poland. Try an advert somewhere. Stress professionalism and cleanliness. Good luck.

[Diego]

As said before, join to life drawing sessions or get some stock photos or buy some from this site http://www.posespace.com/posetool/default.aspx
Or use your girlfriend :)

[Lakeland]

zwarrior, bhanu,Hookswords -yeah all of this sounds like a good idea.
Diego - photos dont give you the sort of experience Im looking for. And already said, I cant use my wife, since she has Atention Disorder lol and cant stand still for 3 min :D
Falchion - ermm..... I didnt hear that ;)

dierat - Thanks, this was the most helpful!
TASmith - um not really. The cheapest I found was charging 18$ per hour and she wasnt even close to atletic build I was looking for the anatomy study :/ In comparison I found a girl in New York willing to model nude for 10$ per hour.. So I guess its actually more expensive than US. Cant tell bout Slovakia tho

[TASmith]

Well, the euro's inflated prices, and some people in NY are desparate - but $10/hour is very low in the states. I'd say keep listing adverts. You're bound to find someone for a lower price than that. There's a recession on and you're in eastern Europe. Try posting adverts in some fitness centers.