Between Poses
Remote virtual figure model sessions became the only way to draw live figures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Models set up webcams to broadcast poses to artists, either as live events or as recorded sessions. Traditional in-person figure modeling is a rhythm between artists and subject. A model settles into a pose, the artists draw until it’s time to change the pose. In the transition, artists apply finishing touches, flip the page, or adjust their position. The model will stretch, hydrate, or move props.
I have enjoyed the practice of drawing from live figures since I was in college, learning how to focus on drawing a live subject in precise poses. Remote modeling captures everything the model does and the camera doesn’t look away between poses. I enjoy the moments when a model isn’t formally posing; drinking tea, checking a phone, adjusting pillows are all lovely moments in a way that doesn’t feel “academic.” Some in-between moments are probably better described as “almost poses” as a model is about to settle into a pose or has just slipped out of a controlled position. I find a lot of unexpected beauty, charm, and humanity in those moments.
These drawings are a variety of poses captured between the “official” poses of the recorded modeling session. Drawn on a variety of toned papers with pencil and white colored pencil, they vary from short “scribble” likenesses to refined, detailed drawings made from still images from the posing session video.
