Figure painting

10 min. painting

I hire models occasionally. Usually I just draw in pencil. Pretty laid back. I like to treat my models as the guest of honor. I try to especially pay attention to the temperature, but I'm getting them coffee or whatever their beverage of choice. I'm also usually friends with my models. Sometimes it's confusing. It's a nice bit of confusion as some models have posed for me over ten year periods! They invite me to their parties, performances. I never assume that they have chosen to model  exclusively as their career. One turned out to be an opera singer, an actress in movies, a police officer, dancers, accountants, and more than a few to be really great artists! When I have a new model it's always a little exciting because in the back of my mind I think this person is probably going to be a fascinating person that I get to know before they are famous.