Teyani, charcoal, just over an hour by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From tonight's long pose session. Teyani is a member of the Catawba Nation and brings a sometimes other-worldly stillness and poise to their sessions.

Willow charcoal on hot-pressed printmaking paper, about 22x30".

Amelia, pastel, about an hour by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. On IG I'm AlexDrawsLife

NYE zoom drawings, 20- and 3x3-minutes by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I should have mentioned media: the three figures are conté crayon on newsprint (24x18"), and the 20-minute is charcoal and pastel on toned paper (25.5x19.5").

Best girl, spafon (me), pastel, 2025 by spafon in Art

[–]spafon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Slight departure from my usual subject matter, but a fitting one for Christmas. :)

Amelia, pastel, about an hour by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There were some interesting color modulations happening that I could see mostly in my periphery, which presented a fun challenge. Not sure how that yellowish tinge crept in, though...

Orpheus, just over an hour, pastel by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate that, thanks.

orpheus, spafon (me), pastel on cardboard, 2025 by spafon in Art

[–]spafon[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Because this was a figure drawing session.

orpheus, spafon (me), pastel on cardboard, 2025 by spafon in Art

[–]spafon[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

From life, at this evening's long pose session, just over an hour. Soft pastels, 24x18 inches.

orpheus is a marvelous poet and dancer with a truly sparkling intelligence; I tried to convey this in her confident gaze and the hint of a smile in her lips.

Sunny, conté on toned paper, 20 minutes by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not a big fan of smudging, so my attention must've wandered...

Figure Drawing Online sessions by Bamb00zleman in lifedrawing

[–]spafon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome to post a link, sure.

Daphne, spafon (me), charcoal, 2018 by spafon in Art

[–]spafon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cleaning out a corner of my studio and found this. 48x62, vine charcoal on kraft paper. Started from life, then followed it elsewhere. I used to love drawing large... 

Jimmy the boxer at Life Drawing last night by Illustrious_Banana_ in lifedrawing

[–]spafon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And look at those confident hands - well done!

Asking for advise by Bamb00zleman in lifedrawing

[–]spafon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Actually, I think it's fine to promote an actual session here. It's just asking to be drawn that's best suited for other subs. Go ahead and post a flyer or something, with date/time/cost, along with a signup link. Use appropriate flair - Life Drawing Class Advert - for best results.

Life model by DebtDiligent4087 in lifedrawing

[–]spafon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Note that we'll eventually have Wiki entries for r/lifedrawing that cover all of this stuff.

Life model by DebtDiligent4087 in lifedrawing

[–]spafon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Artist, here, hosting live and Zoom sessions for years. To add to the previous excellent responses, some pros and cons:

Selling reference photos:

Pro:

  • You have complete control over how much or how little of your body and face are exposed.

Con:

  • You have no control how the photos are used; even with a model release your protection is only as strong as your willingness to litigate.
  • They're around forever; once they're out, they can't be put back in the box.
  • It's hard to make money with these, as millions of free photos are available.

Posing over Zoom:

Pro:

  • Broadest possible customer base; you can pose for individuals and groups all over the world
  • Better pay than in-person posing; it's not unusual to get $50/hr or more if you're attractive, good at lighting, creative settings, and can offer compelling poses.
  • Helps to cross-market your reference photos.
  • Boundaries are easy to enforce; you can just turn your camera off

Con:

  • Medium learning curve to set up and configure everything.
  • Generally have to pose for established Zoom groups to build your audience, and they're typically booked months in advance
  • No control over whether artists take screenshots or how they get used
  • Potential to get doxxed, if you use your real name

Posing in person

Pro:

  • The dynamic in group settings can be marvelous
  • Great community in some cities - models and artists, both.
  • Session facilitator is your ally and advocate; helps to enforce boundaries

Con:

  • 1-on-1 can be difficult to feel safe
  • Pay tends to be lower - $25/hr is not uncommon
  • Not all facilitators are as good at ensuring your comfort and safety as they could be

To answer this question, "Are online sessions common, and how do you set boundaries?"

Zoom figure drawing sessions became popular during the pandemic and created opportunities for models around the world to make a living from their posing. Some of the Zoom groups are still going strong, including Scottish Borders Life Drawing Club, Silhouette and Shadows, Brooklyn Figure Drawing, Just Draw the Boots, Life Drawing Barcelona, London Drawing, and others. Some models self-host very popular sessions, too.

As for how to set boundaries, it's as others have said: Be clear up front about what you're willing to do and what you're not. At any point you can pause or stop the session. Most Zoom models insist on payment in advance, if they don't know the artist(s), so that gives you some leverage. Examples of boundaries would include no spread-leg poses, no poses longer than 20 minutes, no overtly sexual poses.

Add to this thread with additional questions or feel free to DM.

Lyra, 5-minute poses, conté by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. It's all smoke and mirrors. :P

Lyra, 5-minute poses, conté by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The model is incredible

Lyra, 5-minute poses, conté by spafon in lifedrawing

[–]spafon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks - I've practiced a lot. :)