FAQ-figure drawing

General Protocol For Figure Drawing-- Rules for Artists-Monitors- Models

Basic rule is Common Sense with consideration of your fellow artist and model, but if you need it spelled out, please read below:

MODEL, MONITOR/TEACHER, AND STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Morean Arts Center - Eckerd college

Model Protocol and Information– (rev Sept 2022)

In the great tradition of western academic art, undraped (nude) models have been a central part of the teaching process. Society at large has no understanding of the purpose, protocol & process of drawing the undraped figure as a learning tool. In order to minimize misunderstanding and the fact that many of the artists are of beginning level, we strive to maintain as professional an attitude as possible. It is similar to a Doctor/Patient relationship with strict, predefined roles and protocol of behavior. This applies both to the model, the artists, and the monitor/teacher.

The following are rules for those attending the open figure drawing session. Should you have any questions, please discuss with the monitor.

• Please be considerate of everyone in the room at all times. Failure to follow the rules could result in being asked to leave the session by the monitor.

MONITOR/TEACHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors direct the model in pose selection. The model has the right to refuse or modify a pose if they feel it will be excessively uncomfortable.
• Monitors or teachers can ask the model to change or modify their pose if they feel it will best serve the purposes of the session or class.
• It is not appropriate for the monitor to touch the model for any reason. The only exception would be prearranged with the model (at the discretion of the model) for teaching purposes (for example calipers or other measuring tools or water based markers or tape to identify landmarks, proportions, etc.).
• If the model has to return to a pose and tape references are needed, it is typically it done by the monitor, however if the model prefers, they can to do it themselves.
• Monitors and teachers must adhere to the Morean Arts Center and Eckerd College policies and procedures, including the Anti-Harassment and Anti-Discrimination Policy.

MODEL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Models will be covered during breaks. Model should have an opaque wrap that is worn between sessions. The model should wear their wrap at all times except when on the model stand. As soon as the pose is over and the model steps off the stand, they must be appropriately draped. If the model remains on the stand between the poses, they should be at least minimally draped.

• At the discretion of the model, it is acceptable to utilize minimal privacy cover-up for the genitals such as a bikini bottom, “g” string or jock strap. They should not be decorative and be neutral or flesh tone.
• Since the classes are composed of artists of various levels of experience, skill, maturity and dedication, please try to create your poses to be as discreet as possible. For example, spread eagle poses blatantly exposing genitals are not appropriate for this environment.
• Please do not incorporate direct eye contact with an artist when posing. It is very distracting for the artist and can be misconstrued. Try to set your gaze above, below or between the artists.
• Any stretching necessary before or after the pose should be done draped, again not to be misconstrued.
• The model may circulate among the students, but must be fully draped.
• Care must be taken when leaving the studio (to go to the bathroom, etc.) to be properly attired as the children and general public may be encountered.
• It is recommended that the model bring a towel or sheet to rest on. The studio may not always be as clean as one may want.
• Because of the nature of the studio, walking bare foot is not recommended and is strictly at the model's own risk.
• Models may bring their own cushions, stools, staffs and other appropriate props. These can be used at the discretion of the monitor. The studio is equipped with a minimum collection of props and pillows.
• Sometimes it is difficult to control the temperature of the studio, generally a portable heater is available, or model may bring their own.
• Poses typically are held for a maximum of 20 minutes (unless prearranged by the monitor). There is a 5 minute break between poses. The monitor will time the poses. However, if model chooses to bring their own timer, it eliminates any uncertainty or error of the pose being miss-timed.
• Models should arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the class.
• Models will be paid if they show up for a class or session that they are scheduled for, even if there are no students.
• If for any reason that the model is uncomfortable with the behavior of the monitor, teacher, students or studio conditions; they should let the staff know immediately.
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ARTIST RESPONSIBILITIES

• Artists are expected to be respectful of the model, and there should not be excessive talking while the model is posing. If artists are in an extended conversation and the pose starts, it should be taken outside of the studio.
• Do not talk or play audible music during the pose. The monitor will select music for the room.
• Please keep cell phones off, on silent or vibrate during the session. Leave the room to take, or make, any calls when model is posing.
• Allow the model their personal space during breaks as they rest.
• Do not talk with the model during the pose, or to make comments on the pose.
• Only working artists are allowed in the room while the model is working. It is expected that while the model is undraped, everyone is either actively drawing or teaching. Any exception must have the permission of the model and the monitor.
• No photographs or video recording of the model or room at any time.
• The session monitor is always in charge of all activities in the room.
• Please direct any comments, suggestions or ideas regarding the model pose, room or other artists to the monitor during breaks.
• Do not move easels, chairs, tables or horses during the pose, other than slight adjustments. Move only during model breaks.
• Students under the age of 18 that are serious about their art, are welcome and encouraged to draw. The Morean reserves the right to require a letter of permission from a parent or guardian, at their discretion.
• Lastly! Please leave the room as you found it. Clean up, as good as you found it, or better. As they say, "your mother is not here to clean up after you!" Put back any easels, horses or other equipment back to where you found them.

MATERIALS

• Use only odorless solvents in the room. Do not use markers or other materials with a strong odor. Relatedly, please refrain from strong perfumes or aftershaves since we are often crowded in an enclosed space.
• Use fixative and hair sprays when the entire session is over, and then spray outside the room. The strong smell remains on paper and in the air where sprayed.
• When using dry materials such as charcoal, pastel or conte, do not blow or shake the dust into the air. Work vertically with a collection tray, or carefully take the surface to a trash can or outside to carefully remove the excess dust.

Notes of figure drawing in St. Petersburg:

The Tampa Bay area has become a magnet for artists in the past few years. We will never be a NYC or a San Francisco, but artists have been relocating to our neighborhood in increasing numbers lately. A number of reasons come to mind: Cost of living compared to the major art markets, artist friendly policies in several of our communities, the number of art-oriented museums, and the explosion in mural projects. 

While these and other reasons are likely, there is another artist attractor: We are drawn together to draw. We have a large number of places to practice life drawing. While drawing from a model has been de-emphasized as a discipline since the rise of abstraction followed more recently by conceptual & installation art, it never left our neighborhood. Maybe the interest in graphic novels/animation and illustration is fueling the growth, or more people desire to improve their skills for their own purposes, but this year we have had new people almost every week at the places I draw regularly. 

Many of us at these sessions are professional artists while others draw just for fun. We range from teachers to beginners. Our groups include potters, jewelers, and glass artists as well as the usual and expected painting/drawing/sculpture crowd. We come from all walks of life — from doctors, lawyers, and engineers to the marginally-employed, from retirees to high school students. We all have our own approaches and goals, techniques and materials. the common themes seem to be the sheer pleasure of drawing, the challenge of the human form, and the camaraderie of drawing together. 

The Morean Arts Center in downtown St. Petersburg has been hosting drawing sessions on Saturdays for at least 39 years, certainly longer than any of our current group can remember. Chris Drake was the earliest mentor I know about. Michael Chomick took over after that. Doug Land, Dean Fortune and then myself, Rebecca Skelton, rotated for a few years. We added George Sharum, Don Eaton, and a number of other monitors over the years. Eckerd College also has been offering their evening drawing sessions for at least that long also, but again, it goes back farther that any of us can say.  Arthur Skinner pegs it in the middle 1970's.  Firehouse Cultural Center and GMACS are welcome additions. Some groups, such as Treasure Island, draw clothed or costumed models while most of them usually work from nudes. 

Rebecca Skelton

Skelles@tampabay.rr.com