I recently worked with two great models John Forkner and GiGi La Femme. They inspired me to write an article for Drawing Tutorials Online focusing on the Do’s and Don’ts of working with models.

I photograph models for members of Drawing Tutorials Online so they have good reference to work from. Below is an except from my most recent article. Below is also a sample PDF for you to download to your computer. I kept the file small for easy download.

Working with the right model will dramatically help your drawings.

“I’ve worked with hundreds of models over the years. Both for illustration projects and for life drawing. I’ve found that some models can add that magical touch to your drawings. I’ve also discovered that some models can sap the energy right out of your drawings. In this article I will share with you some do’s and don’ts when it comes to working with and hiring models for your artwork.

The Right Model Fit For You

You want to be keenly aware that there are models, good models, and great models. Combine that with personalities and a lot can go right or wrong. Sometimes you just click with a model and it shows up subconsciously in your art. Your drawings just kind of happen with ease. Sometimes the model can have the opposite affect on your art. It could be that you are not a right fit with that model. There is no simple explanation for why you don’t click with a model, it could just be their poses, it could just be their look or body type. Some artists draw guys better than woman. Some artists draw plus size models better than skinny models. It’s an individual thing to say the least.

In a classroom setting you want to try to plow through these difficulties head on. You want to draw diverse people. It’s easy to get stuck into the habit of drawing just one body type. I appreciate the need to draw from different body types. I try my best to have a balance in class, although it’s a challenge to please everybody.

I have found that I like to work with certain types of models. I mainly like to work with models that are dancers or athletic in some way because of my love of anatomy. I want to see all of the muscles and bones clearly. What type of model would work best for your art? Perhaps you don’t care about anatomy, perhaps you are looking for personality. Just understand before hand what type of model you are wanting to work with. This will improve your drawings dramatically.

You have to spend some hours in working in a classroom setting as a student to figure out what type of models fit your style and approach. Do you work better with models that offer great gesture poses, or do you work better with models that can hold a pose for six hours in one day? The more clarity you have on this the better your chances of success when with working with models.”

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the sample PDF.

If you are interested in reference for your artwork, especially reference of nudes for figure drawing Drawing Tutorials Online has dozens of downloads.

Each site below contains some nudity.
Visit John Forkner’s website.
Visit GiGi La Femme
Find out about GiGi La Femme Latest Burlesque Show