Back to the question of nude modeling

[irishOntarian]

So, I’m not looking to start a fire-war here, but just get some feedback. If you think nude modeling is ok, why, and under what circumstances. Likewise, if not, then for what reason, and do you know of an alternative an alternative way to learn nude art, since the Church says it is (well, can be) ok.

 

[triumphguy]

Apparently Michelangelo used men as models for his women - just look at the Sistine Chapel

Seriously - there is nothing sinful per se about the human body - it is our sinful nature that responds in a sinful manner to our sexuality that creates abuse, sin, perversion, pornography etc.

How can you tell the difference between pornography and art? Look at what emotions/responses the “artist” is trying to invoke - lust or an aesthetic appreciation.

Lust wants to possess the object of desire. An artistic appreciation does not want to hold, own or posses the image in a selfish way.

 

[Armyvet007]

Apparently Michelangelo used men as models for his women - just look at the Sistine Chapel

I think that was actually the common practice for the time.

OP,
No clue. But as triumph hints at apparently some form of it is ok.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

So, I’m not looking to start a fire-war here, but just get some feedback. If you think nude modeling is ok, why, and under what circumstances. Likewise, if not, then for what reason, and do you know of an alternative an alternative way to learn nude art, since the Church says it is (well, can be) ok.

Drawing or painting the human body nude is not pornography. I have done nude art classes and there is nothing like anything sexual going on. What you look at is the structure of the body - the muscles, the bones, the shapes, the shadows. It is very intense training, actually.

There is no substitute for drawing live nude models.

The female body is easier to draw than the male body.

 

[GEddie]

There is nothing wrong with nude modelling, as the human body is the apex of God’s physical creations.

The body is not about sex. Sex is to generate bodies for new persons.

You behave “sexually” only a minor fraction of the time, however, you are always someBODY.

ICXC NIKA

 

[irishOntarian]

Apparently Michelangelo used men as models for his women - just look at the Sistine Chapel

.

I know, if fact I have a whole folder full of photos of the Chapel ceiling to help me learn figure drawing, but I don’t really like the way he drew women, they just look like men with breasts. There’s more differences between male and female bodies than that.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

You really have to do it live and in person IMO. One huge difference between looking at nude bodies for sexual purposes, and for art, is that the perfect body is boring to draw. It’s much more interesting to draw bodies with fat, wrinkles, droopy bits, etc. We had one model who was 8 mos. pregnant, and she was great to draw. We also had a gay young man who had a very toned body and knew how to pose it to show off his shape to great advantage. He was a very striking model, and good for muscle structure. Others were older, younger, short, tall, skinny, fat, etc. Our art instructor wanted us to get experience drawing all sorts of bodies.

 

[irishOntarian]

Thanks for replies people This can be a tricky topic for some people, but I sure see the sense in your comments.

 

[irishOntarian]

There is nothing wrong with nude modelling, as the human body is the apex of God’s physical creations.

The body is not about sex. Sex is to generate bodies for new persons.

You behave “sexually” only a minor fraction of the time, however, you are always someBODY.

ICXC NIKA

well, sort of. sex in the broader sense of our sexual identity permeates our entire being, physical and spiritual but yes I get what you mean

 

[mwncheesehead]

The female body is easier to draw than the male body.

Interesting…why is the female body easier to draw vs. the male body?

 

[GEddie]

Interesting…why is the female body easier to draw vs. the male body?

Just a guess, it has to do with muscular mass and definition, and surface blood vessels on the male body.

Female bodies are generally smoother and more convex, as it were. Male bodies have more topography.

ICXC NIKA

 

[GEddie]

well, sort of. sex in the broader sense of our sexual identity permeates our entire being, physical and spiritual but yes I get what you mean

Touché, I should have said “sexual behavior” rather than “sex”.

I was in somewhat of a hurry.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Newbie2]

You really have to do it live and in person IMO. One huge difference between looking at nude bodies for sexual purposes, and for art, is that the perfect body is boring to draw. It’s much more interesting to draw bodies with fat, wrinkles, droopy bits, etc. We had one model who was 8 mos. pregnant, and she was great to draw. We also had a gay young man who had a very toned body and knew how to pose it to show off his shape to great advantage. He was a very striking model, and good for muscle structure. Others were older, younger, short, tall, skinny, fat, etc. Our art instructor wanted us to get experience drawing all sorts of bodies.

“Droopy bits”.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Interesting…why is the female body easier to draw vs. the male body?

More curvature, more flesh, less bone, less muscle definition. I mean, obviously men and women do both HAVE bones, but the female form is covered in more fat than the male form. Males are more angular, and it’s harder to get the bodily proportions right.

The shadows are easier to deal with. I can’t explain that, you just have to experience it.

 

[scameter18]

What about nude photography/modeling? And how can one discern what the intention of the artist is, whether sexual or artistic?

 

[Trishie]

We could go back to the basic question, why is nude art considered necessary?
Good figure drawing and proportion is possible without complete nudity.
As an artist myself, I can draw and paint people well without requiring anyone to disrobe.
Would anyone with sufficient respect for Christian values and inner morality, wish to pose naked for anyone or a roomful of people?
And who’s to say that no one in that room has inappropriate/sinful feelings and thoughts, then or later being, in faced with a naked person they must study carefully and render?

 

[GEddie]

IMNAAHO, the line and form of human body are only done justice to in the nude.

Are we so much more sinful than the Renaissance generations that we cannot be trusted with the God-given human form?

ICXC NIKA

 

[GEddie]

What about nude photography/modeling? And how can one discern what the intention of the artist is, whether sexual or artistic?

It is hard to determine someone’s unexpressed intentions.

Although the body need not be arranged in anatomical position to be innocent, arrangements of the limbs and body that draw attention to the sexual areas, rather than body’s natural lines, come closer to moral “iffiness”.

The body need not be nude for immoral presentation to occur, and need not be immorally presented when nude.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Debora123]

So, I’m not looking to start a fire-war here, but just get some feedback. If you think nude modeling is ok, why, and under what circumstances. Likewise, if not, then for what reason, and do you know of an alternative an alternative way to learn nude art, since the Church says it is (well, can be) ok.

Michelangelo had nude models pose for him when he was creating his art.

 

[AthenaC]

What about nude photography/modeling? And how can one discern what the intention of the artist is, whether sexual or artistic?

It is hard to determine someone’s unexpressed intentions.

Although the body need not be arranged in anatomical position to be innocent, arrangements of the limbs and body that draw attention to the sexual areas, rather than body’s natural lines, come closer to moral “iffiness”.

The body need not be nude for immoral presentation to occur, and need not be immorally presented when nude.

ICXC NIKA

I also agree that sensual art is not necessarily over the line. Kinda like modesty - what’s across-the-line for one person is perfectly safe for another.