Lousy experience

[Kimberly Dow]

The only thing I'd caution against Jimmy is trying to go to a woman's home. Even if you have another with you (woman) it still may be hard to get someone to agree to this. They'd have to live alone first of all (or have a very understanding spouse - but no kids and no parents), they'd have to have a room that can have the shades drawn of course, but with enough light.... If you feel uncomfortable having strangers in your house imagine how a woman posing nude would feel about having you in her house.

I would suggest finding a facility you can rent at a reasonable place - think of anyone you know - maybe even the tattoo shop on days it is closed? Or an art center of some kind? What about an empty shop somewhere that is for rent - you could suggest to the owner renting it hourly for a small fee on occasions?

Good luck!

[Ngaire Winwood]

I had similar problems until I bit the bullet and decided to start a drawing group. I have also arranged life drawing for our region with 15 turning up for the first 3 hour session.

I asked around for a cheap room and finally found one in a function centre, maybe you have something similar that is not used regularly. It also happened to be a Bed/Breakfast place which had a room they are renovating. Funds haven't come in to renovate and it will be a year or so, it is just sitting there, not being used. I offered a small fee $5 head and the model charges $20/hour nude. $15 clothed.(You could even try hotels, schools or colleges)

Also each week, 2 or 3 of us get together and draw each other(clothed). It is good at the moment I have just come back tonight from the 3rd one, but for a sustained drawing/painting we might use each other as models, each take a turn a week to sit. As long as there is two people, you can take turns. For Nude Life Drawing you might find a way to share costs with another artist as the size of the room will be challenging with more than 2 or 3.

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Originally Posted by Ngaire Winwood

I had similar problems until I bit the bullet and decided to start a drawing group. I have also arranged life drawing for our region with 15 turning up for the first 3 hour session.

I asked around for a cheap room and finally found one in a function centre, maybe you have something similar that is not used regularly. It also happened to be a Bed/Breakfast place which had a room they are renovating. Funds haven't come in to renovate and it will be a year or so, it is just sitting there, not being used. I offered a small fee $5 head and the model charges $20/hour nude. $15 clothed.(You could even try hotels, schools or colleges)

Also each week, 2 or 3 of us get together and draw each other(clothed). It is good at the moment I have just come back tonight from the 3rd one, but for a sustained drawing/painting we might use each other as models, each take a turn a week to sit. As long as there is two people, you can take turns. For Nude Life Drawing you might find a way to share costs with another artist as the size of the room will be challenging with more than 2 or 3.

Hi, you must have just gotten in there while I was typing. Thanks for the tips. I already have a place to draw Saturday mornings, the class is 3 hours long, $15 a pop, but I can only stay for an hour and a half before I have to leave to catch the last few minutes of my daughter's tennis sessions and work. I'm looking to do finished work from life, so I'd rather stay away from the group thing so I have total control over it. I'm confused.

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

The only thing I'd caution against Jimmy is trying to go to a woman's home. Even if you have another with you (woman) it still may be hard to get someone to agree to this. They'd have to live alone first of all (or have a very understanding spouse - but no kids and no parents), they'd have to have a room that can have the shades drawn of course, but with enough light.... If you feel uncomfortable having strangers in your house imagine how a woman posing nude would feel about having you in her house.

I would suggest finding a facility you can rent at a reasonable place - think of anyone you know - maybe even the tattoo shop on days it is closed? Or an art center of some kind? What about an empty shop somewhere that is for rent - you could suggest to the owner renting it hourly for a small fee on occasions?

Good luck!

You know the crazy thing is that I would agree with the uncomfortability factor, but when I used to airbrush, I never had a problem with taking the pics in the model's home. I think there's a vanity thing that overshadows the fear of being around a stranger. I always insisted that someone be with them, but they always insisted that the person stay out of the room. The only reason I would be uncomfortable with someone in my house, is because I have a problem with people period. If I went to the dinner in Boston, my hands would be clammy, I'd say several stupid things and would be dying to leave.

Renting anything in Bergen County, New Jersey is nearly impossible. Rent out here is ridiculous. I'm gonna check the boards at Pearl Paint and see if something's available. My boss is cool about letting me take pics in the shop because he knows it's quick, but he does'nt like the idea of people being there before or after hours. He would most likely be ok with it if he personally knew the model, but he does'nt even like the idea of us tattooing too late after closing. The art center that I had this session does'nt rent out space, already tried. I'm just gonna try asking someone very enthusiastic about posing to do live sittings and see what happens.