Finding models resource
 

This is terrific -

Janel gave me this link and thought I'd post it.
www.onemodelplace.com

You can search through the database in your state, look at photos of them, see their prices or that they are willing to work for prints, see if they are experienced or not...etc. You can get some without joining - but I think they limit that to the under 18 age groups. I went ahead an joined the small membership for $10 month - which I will cancel in a month if I chose to.

Now - some of these are $100/hour professionals. Others are are amateurs who have done no work and have blurry photos. Some have photos that look like they are aspiring to be in the porn business...etc. You can find all types - even search for certain natonalities or hair color.

Im in a small town so I only found a few within a couple hours of me. But - if you are near a more populated area this could be invaluable.

It also posts whether the models are willing to work for print, artists, etc - and it includes if they are interested in modeling nude.

This is a great resource and I am thrilled to have it. I just joined last night and have had several emails of the models that are looking for gigs.

Thanks Janel!

You are very welcome Kim.

I feel badly that I didn't think to post it here myself. I guess I view myself as not having much in the way of valuable input yet. Also it didn't seem like anyone was having a problem finding models. I thought I was alone.

I get about 4 emails a day introducing new models to my area or who are traveling to my area. And, as you already know, I've receintly held a photo session with two models (from Georgia and Illinois) that I was very pleased with the results for a future figurative nude and have a model lined up to do live nude modeling as well. I am very pleased with my experience so far.

I am glad you found it helpful as well.

I thought I'd update on this for those of you who are always in search of models.

This resource is great. I don't move for another 9 days or so...but I already have 7 or 8 models lined up to use once I get there. I chose amateurs or ones with very little experience. Not only is it more affordable, but the more professional ones tend to be too attractive, if there is such a thing.

The $10/month has been well worth it.

Kim,

I only paid $10.00 for the year.

I love the resource as well. I put out an email to models that I thought would be nice for the Las Vegas workshop I am hosting for Marvin Mattelson in July (here is my sales opportunity............anyone interested in attending, I still have some spots open.) Email
me [email protected].

I use the amatteurs or less experienced ones as well. It has worked out nicely for me.

Glad you like it too.

Janel

You know what Janel? I think I only paid it for the year as well. I kept wondering why they hadnt charged my card this month...!

It is a sweet deal.

There Kim, I saved you $110.00. If we ever get to meet in person, you buy first round.

; )

You got it!
:sunnysmil

The One Model Place is indeed a wonderful resource and I use it all the time. It

Thank you for adding that, Bill.

It must have been in a different place that I mentioned I found a wonderful young model only 15 minutes from my home who is willing to pose live (and nude) for me. I am very excited about this summer (she is in college at the moment) because I am in desperate need of the experience of painting from life.

I just came back from the PSOA conference and one thing that hit me hard (sometimes I am a slow learner because so many have said it so many times) was that I will never capture what I am looking for in my paintings if I don't do myself a favor and commit to painting from life on a regular basis. I have two commissions I am working on and I am going to ask that my subjects come sit for me.

If I could only say one thing about the conference (and I could say a lot) was that there was a "spirit" about the paintings from life that I can not find the words to explain. All I know, is I don't have it in mine........and I want it!

Janel,

I am the world champion slow learner. If there is a dumber way to do it, I have tried it out.

Most people work from photos not only for convenience, but because they think it is easier. Once your drawing skills are adequate, that is simply not so. It is then easier -- and better -- to work from life whenever possible. All you have to do is paint what you see.

There is indeed a spirit that you can only see from life. Portraits from life are alive!

So many contemporary "realistic" portraits suffer because they are painted from photos.

In the last quarter of the 19th century, many painters turned to photo reference for their paintings and their work looks pretty lifeless to us today.