From life supported with photos.

[Debra Jones]

I have this model for 12 hours with a group of friends. We did two 3 hour sittings and I was pleased with the first try, but on the third pose, I began a new piece.

This is the product of an hour and a half of actual sitting, a few quick photos and dismissing the poor thing because she was not quite over her flu. With a palette full of paint I printed a few of the digital pictures and sat down for another two hours and produced this 20" x 16".

I feel very good. I am trying to get a jump on Chris Saper's workshop. I have never worked back and forth with photos and a model before. I will sketch from the photo before the next pose and see if it is easier THAT way.

[Debra Jones]

This is a detail from the 6 hours-plus photo corrections. It is a 24" x 20". Your detail is about 16" x 12".

[Jeff Fuchs]

Those are very nice works, Debra. I wish I could get a long session with a live model.

Keep it up!

[Michele Rushworth]

Jeff, are you near a large town where there might be an art school? If they don't have life drawing sessions you might want to post a notice that says you'd like to share model time with some other students.

Tony Ryder said in the workshop I'm taking right now that our money is best spent, not on the highest quality brushes, not on more paint colors, but on model fees.

[Jeff Fuchs]

My Alma Mater is a half hour drive away. They have life sessions once a week during the regular semesters, and I attend almost every session. Unfortunately, the longest poses are less than an hour, and the model is always reclining for these "sustained" poses. Sometimes I can't even see her face.

I'd like to hire a model, but, as you suggested, I'd have to find another artist to share the cost. I belong to a group who get together and hire a model from time to time, but none of them are interested in sustained poses.

I know a lot of judges. Maybe I can talk them into sending me some drunk drivers to pose as a form of community service.

[Linda Brandon]

I've probably posted this idea before, so forgive me if I repeat myself here...

Older people make wonderful models. I ask all my friends who have their parents visiting them to send them to me. I pay higher than minimum wage but, well, not that much higher, and I give them coffee or tea and something to eat. I try to include model fees in my monthly painting "budget" (such as it is). Best of all, I get to talk with them and learn about their lives. (Sometimes they fall asleep, which probably says a lot about how exciting I am.)

I'm often told that our session was the first time in decades that another human being has really looked at the sitter. It's such a win/win situation. If my sitter likes the painting/drawing (they don't always!) I make a free photocopy of it for him or her.

[Debra Jones]

I do know what you mean, I spent over 10 years asking everyone I knew if there were an open studio ANYWHERE in town or nearby. I finally joined the Phoenix Art Museum and saw a four week figure semi-supervised opportunity. I was in heaven. On the last week, I got gutsy enough to ask the model where any place in Scottsdale would have models. It turns out the school is 12 blocks from my house and none of my friends had ever heard of it.

Now, five years down, it is funny to hear everyone trying to find live models. I am so spoiled. I average 3 faces, sometimes just nudes, but the opportunity to be in four studios a week. My newest growth is mixing photos and posed models. I find some guilt in using photos. I have only worked on commission from my own pictures, but there is some sort of "this is too easy" feeling that I get when I can sit with the photo and not fight the model. I am working for a happy medium.

What is the appropriate time and schedule for the artist and client to spend together? How long should I paint from life and how much from photo?

I would really appreciate your stories.

[Kimberly Dow]

I have a suggestion. My studio is right next to the local parole office, so I see a lot of characters coming and going. I've spoken to the officers there and they will occasionally send me someone who is looking for any kind of work and will work for minimum wage. They have long waits for their appointments, so sometimes I get someone who can come and sit and then the officer will give a hollar when they are ready to process them.

You could always call your local parole office. They help people get work, so it's a thought. Just request that they send you parolees that were not violent or sexual offenders. Of course, if they need to come to your house - this may not be the best idea.

[Kimberly Dow]

Another suggestion is to get friendly with any local theatre groups. I find that people involved in acting of any sort are very willing to pose and quite frequently do it for free.

[Judson Eneas]

It's coming along nicely. My suggestion is if you add a little impasto to the portrait especially in the light areas, it will really bring it out more.