The human figure is the central theme in my work as a sculptor. I like to collaborate with ‘fine’artist’s models. It’s important to me to work in a constructive atmosphere and I strive for an equal collaboration between artist and model, in which both parties have their own role but work to achieve the same goals.
What to pose for?
a life size sculpture takes a lot of effort
Creating a sculpture requires a lot of effort. Before I start a new sculpture, I explore all possibilities with the model by trying and sketching different postures. It may take up to 20 days to mould the sculpture in wax and subsequently more than half a year before the final bronze result is ready.
If you wish to pose for a bronze sculpture, you therefor need a lot and patience. I usually cannot afford to pay an hourly wage, but I hope the sculpture may compensate for that.
Drawing takes less time. Life drawing is a good way to test postures, gain (posing) experience, get to know each other and examine whether we should continue collaborating (for a sculpture). I usually can make an appointment for a drawing session. If you might have ideas for a photograph or another object of art, we could arrange for a single trial session. If the model would want to keep a drawing or picture made, that’s fine with me.
Furthermore, I organize a life drawing club in my studio in Rotterdam on Tuesday evenings. This way I provide others an opportunity to work with a male or female nude model. I usually ask known models for this or models that I heard are ‘fine’. Nude models posing for these classes will of course get properly paid.
Types of Models
Childeren and youngsters (until 20 yrs)
Although being at least as interesting to artists as adults, only few children and youngsters nowadays do pose for art. Children and youngsters develop much faster than adults, both physically and mentally – every life year appears totally different.
Children (untill 10 years old)
Sculpting an agile child will not be easy, but with some assistance of the parents, the help of photograpy and shortened posing sessions I think it should be possible. It might also be an interesting project to document a child’s growing up, during the first 20 years of his/her life. Please tell me about your ideas.
Youngsters (10 – 20 years old)
Youngsters care a lot about identity and appearance and might even be vain. But because adolescent bodies change considerably they can also be prudish and feel uncertain about their bodies. Posing for the first time may seem exciting or scary, but it can be a nice challenge as well. In the end, it’s up to you to decide what to expose or not.
Young adults (20 – 40 years old)
Young adults are in the prime of their lives. Physically in top form, they combine beauty with good body control. Do you have well defined muscles, because you work out? Are you sinewy as an athlete of nimble as a yogi? Do you have the sense of balance an acrobat has or the body controll of a dancer, the appearance of an actor or the looks of a fashion model? Please let me know …
Middle-aged adults (40 – 65 years)
George poses for a sculpture
When middle-aged you are at the top of your social career, while your physical capabilities slowly deteriorate. Many middle-aged have have neglected their bodies for too long and now seem to want to compensate for it. I am not interested how well you look ‘for your age’. So please, react only if you have distinctive facial features, a specific body or years of experience in posing – or chalange me with an interesting assignment, an experiment or just a good a idea for a special image.
Elderly people (over 65)
Old age comes with physical decline and unfortunately few are proud of it. Wrinkles, sagging and thinning skin make a fragile picture, which I find fascinating to watch. So don’t be embarrassed.
Duos and groups
Group poses are often of more dramatic interest than images of a single figure. Posing together is fun, but harder to do than posing alone. You do not pose side by side, but try become a single image together. You must trust each other – lean on and support each other. You must not only correct your own posture, but also absorb the movements of your partner.
Special people
People who deviate from the norm can also be interesting as a model: special personalities, people with extreme body shapes or less common racial characteristics, disabled people, etcetera.
Are you interested?
I am allways interested in ‘fine’ new models.
Please leave a message if you want to pose for me or my classes (in Rotterdam, the Netherlands).
