I wouldn't expect to have them sit the entire time anyway. I'd most likely take reference photos, get the likeness down, some basic work done, then have them sit to finish it. Or something like that. It takes me too long to get a likeness these days, so I wouldn't want them sitting during that time.

Feeding them huh, hmmmm. I'd like to do heavier models.

Maybe we'll be seeing lovely young ladies standing along the roadsides in Florida with signs that say "Will Model for Spaghetti."

I have paid young kids (age 7 to 10) the $7 rate I mentioned above, and I give their mothers a few 8x10 prints from the photo shoot as a thank you also. I've used these photos as stand-ins for parts of portraits I was painting (hair, hands etc) where I needed better reference than what I got in the client's photo shoot. I may also paint from some of the "model" photos for samples if I need to at some point.

Well, I guess since neither my husband nor I can cook we're stuck with paying the models in cash.

Thanks for all of the input - I have a few people who just want to pose for fun, but for those who are doing it as a job - sounds like what I was figuring - about 15 to 20 an hour is pretty fair.

Never paying for models.
 

I have found that photographers generally have better luck than artists. I think it appeals to their vanity more. Try this line and see if you get a free model, "can you sit from 10: 30 AM to 2:30 PM , 5 days a week for FREE for the next 3 months", and see what the answer is. I for one would like to know .

Sharon's search for a model
 

Hi folks,

This search has really gotten interesting. My lovely model went off to college leaving me with the problem of replacing her.

Not a problem. I called the local art school and private art clubs and instructors to get an idea of the current going rate, $13 -$15 an hour was the consensus.

I dutifully printed up a zillion posters with $14 per hour as this was to be a guarantee of a lot of hours per week, no nudity, nice lady, former RISD instructor.

I plastered these babies all over the place, ballet schools, colleges, art schools. NOTHING!

I called every ballet, tap, and twirling school within a reasonable radius. NOTHING!.

I DID get a few that were too short or had unappealing faces and a couple of midget 13 year olds whose mothers swore that their little beauty could sit for four hours.

Desperation led me to the model agencies. Up went my offer to $18 per hour, $3.00 of which would go to the agency.

The last name on the model agency Yellow Pages list was Studio 253. I called and yes they had models but I had to wait to call "Joe" after 4:00.

At four I dutifully called "Joe." Joe had a voice out of the Godfather. He said "yeah, I got girls, 20 of 'em." Just send your requirements to me @ club balloons. There are a lot of other services available at Club Balloons as well, as noted in a recent Providence Journal article.

Oh well, if I do use "Joe's" services, I might get a Brown student. It would not be the first time one of them supplemented their scholarships with nighttime income from 'entertainment'..

Happy Holidays Everyone!

I have read that the old masters often used "ladies of the night" for their female models, and convicted prisoners as their male models.

Sharon, stinks that it would take that much trouble to find models, especially that you're paying them! Don't these kids need money?!? Are people more shy around your area?

I'm broke and have no time, but I think I'd be able to get people to sit for me in my area. Maybe Joisey girls are more vain. I'm not pretty, but I'd sit for you. :cool:

Jimmie,

I do have some serious interest from some of the galleries I have recently approached. They seem to prefer my more cutting edge pastels, like the "Green Dakini". I think a painting of you in a Moulin Rouge corset, tutu and tights should thrill them. Send pictures and measurements.

Michele,

One of my favorite paintings is "Olympia" by Manet and apparently she had other income outside of the fine arts. Most of the old masters were men. It's not the girls I am afraid of it's the boyfriends. Got to find an NRA sticker to paste on my door.

This I gotta see. Jimmie, Sharon, let us know if this painting concept ever sees the light of day!

Sharon,

Bummer. Hey - maybe you can reform one of these ladies of the night. Saint Sharon. :santa:

I love using my teen models. Of course, I use photos mostly so I dont need to have them the hours you do. Consider them during the summer....they can be so ridiculously flawless.