Life Drawing: What do I do when they all see me naked?

Question

I'm going to be modeling for life drawing soon at college. I was raised with the idea that girls don't see guys naked. I mean we've always have separate changing areas, showers, restrooms, and so on. So, what do I do when I have to walk into the main art room buck naked? Two dozen girls (plus the guys) could see me with my private parts uncovered. Also, the art professor is female.

Answer 1

NOBODY can handle that!!  You'll just have to be super brave, smile, and let your face turn red.

Answer 2

I am very surprised that you have secured this job without someone at your college addressing these questions for you.  If your upbringing interferes too much, you may have to reconsider.  

However, it is perfectly natural to want to be modest, and it is normal to be a little nervous about this, but just remember, artists are not there to gawk, but to practice their drawing  or painting skills with you as their subject.  To them you are a body willing to be drawn, and greatly respected for that.  If you are very concerned, do call the life drawing instructors and tell them so. . . they may be able to accommodate some shyness by allowing the use of some draping, or poses that cover your most intimate parts, at first.  Unless you told them that you have done this before, they will understand.  

And you should take a robe with you, which you can slip on during all breaks.  You will not be expected to behave like an exhibitionist, as the class will be all about the business of learning.  I would concentrate on learning and practicing holding some classic poses, as your ability to strike and hold a good pose will very quickly make you a favorite model among the artists.  

I recommend you spend a little time online looking at life drawings from nude models.  First, it is good to see which poses and angles make for good drawings, as some models never seem to understand we artists love dynamic poses and we love to see some of your character.  We are NEVER looking for s**y or provocative  . . . as life drawing from nudes is about the classical study of the human figure.  So any fear you have of this being uncomfortable because of sexual things you should be able to overcome knowing that is not at all why you are doing this.  Learn to have a thoughtful, but not fearful expression . . . and maybe you can do this by developing some meditations to use while posing.  Another benefit of you studying life nude drawings is to see that they are art, and are not about your nakedness but rather are about the artists recording what they see.  

A common misconception is that only perfect bodies, the "beautiful people," should be models for art classes, and nothing could be further from the truth.  Some of the very best models I have used have been larger women who knew how to pose, seemed to be able to relax and enjoy, and who understood the artists' needs.  And yes, I have drawn some models who chose to have a fabric draping covering  them partially for modesty reasons.  Posing in an art studio is NOT the same as posing for photographs that might be misused, nor does it mean you are a bad person for letting others see you naked.  It is a gift to be able to share  . . . and I can't say it enough, artists love and respect their great models.  We'd be lost without them!

Answer 3

Just think about all the laughs you'll have about it when you're older. Not to make you nervous, but I'm sure some funny things will happen that day, such as: blushing faces and awkward moments. Just keep a note on them to tell you're future grandkids.

Answer 4

Actually, the first guy I ever saw naked in person was in a life drawing class.  :)

To be perfectly honest, it's not weird for the artists. You go into a kind of haze when you're drawing and after a few moments you don't even notice. After a couple of sessions it'll be really common place, some of the models we used to have were so comfortable that they wouldn't even put a robe on in between sessions. That's really weird for the artists, so I don't recommend that. Honestly, people will be looking at your feet more than your package, so just grin and bear it.

tips:

-put on a robe between sessions (on stage no one's really paying attention, but when they're not drawing...then yeah, you're just naked.)

-don't look at anyone when you're posing...that can distract the artists.

- do ask at the end of the class if you can see the work. Seeing what they produce will help you feel better about posing, and help you understand the process from our side.

-don't take a pose that you can't hold, there's nothing worse than watching someone in brutal pain for an hour trying to hold a squat.

-twist: anything with any sort of reach, or twist is soooo beautiful to draw.

-don't worry about the professor...she's seen more naked lads than you ever will.

-don't be afraid to ask for a  heater if you're cold.

-don't fall alseep...that sucks too. :)

-do use props if  you feel like it....nothing over the top, but a long stick you can lean on or hook your arms around is gorgeous!! Plus that's classic figure modeling!