Nude models bring natural form back into art classes
SDSU students make money to model in the buff and try on a unique challenge for the sake of art.
Sarah Even
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News
Most on-campus jobs do not involve taking off your clothes, but there is one job in the art department that has nudity in the job description.
Drew Nafus, a sophomore history major, is a nude model for the figure drawing art class. Nafus models three times a week during the 50 minute class period.
While some students would be uncomfortable with this job, Nafus has no problem with it.
"I've always been kind of an exhibitionist," Nafus said. "After the first two times, you don't even feel like you're naked. It just feels natural."
Modeling may seem like an easy job, but Nafus said it is tough to hold the same position for long periods of time. From his modeling experience, Nafus has learned how to control and relax most of his muscles without shifting from his pose.
"People don't realize exactly how challenging this job can be," Nafus said.
Fatih Benzer, associate professor at SDSU, teaches the figure drawing class. He stresses to his students that there is an important difference between being naked and being nude.
"Nakedness is basically being ashamed with your clothes off. Nudity deals with an artistic tradition where you look at the science and the expressiveness of the human body," Benzer said.
Benzer said that most of his students do not have a problem drawing nude models because it is an important part of figure drawing.
Sam Hanson, a junior general art major, took Benzer's figure drawing class. He said it was awkward the first time he had to draw a nude model, but after that, it was easier.
"It's a good class," Hanson said. "You really learn a lot from it, and it helps a lot with perspective."
Norman Gambill, the head of the Visual Arts Department, also said that utilizing nude models is a critical part of figure drawing.
"For us to be a viable art department in the Midwest, if we did not have figure drawing, we would be considered an amateur program," Gambill said.
According to Gambill, an artist needs to understand how to draw a person with their clothes off before they will be able to draw someone who is fully clothed. Studying from nudes teaches the artist how to draw using proportion, shading and lighting and how to utilize space.
Drew Nafus, a sophomore history major, is a nude model for the figure drawing art class. Nafus models three times a week during the 50 minute class period.
While some students would be uncomfortable with this job, Nafus has no problem with it.
"I've always been kind of an exhibitionist," Nafus said. "After the first two times, you don't even feel like you're naked. It just feels natural."
Modeling may seem like an easy job, but Nafus said it is tough to hold the same position for long periods of time. From his modeling experience, Nafus has learned how to control and relax most of his muscles without shifting from his pose.
"People don't realize exactly how challenging this job can be," Nafus said.
Fatih Benzer, associate professor at SDSU, teaches the figure drawing class. He stresses to his students that there is an important difference between being naked and being nude.
"Nakedness is basically being ashamed with your clothes off. Nudity deals with an artistic tradition where you look at the science and the expressiveness of the human body," Benzer said.
Benzer said that most of his students do not have a problem drawing nude models because it is an important part of figure drawing.
Sam Hanson, a junior general art major, took Benzer's figure drawing class. He said it was awkward the first time he had to draw a nude model, but after that, it was easier.
"It's a good class," Hanson said. "You really learn a lot from it, and it helps a lot with perspective."
Norman Gambill, the head of the Visual Arts Department, also said that utilizing nude models is a critical part of figure drawing.
"For us to be a viable art department in the Midwest, if we did not have figure drawing, we would be considered an amateur program," Gambill said.
According to Gambill, an artist needs to understand how to draw a person with their clothes off before they will be able to draw someone who is fully clothed. Studying from nudes teaches the artist how to draw using proportion, shading and lighting and how to utilize space.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Paul Bowers
posted 2/12/08 @ 8:40 AM CST
My goodness how things have changed at good 'ol SDSU! I guess some change was inevitable in 37 years...hooray!
Paul Bowers, A&S,'70
Wish I were in that class?
posted 2/12/08 @ 11:11 AM CST
I gotta admit, I wish that I were in that class ;-) More power to you if you can model nude, nothing wrong with the natural human body, it can be very sexy. (Continued…)
Carol
posted 2/15/08 @ 3:31 AM CST
The world is full of surprises and the secret naturist, who tends to explore country side and other areas not usually explored by 'normal' people and who also present an attractive target by being naked, tend to attract all manner of interesting creatures, many of which are intend on biting, stinging, eating and generally making life a misery for any unfortunate who passes by. (Continued…)
Naturistspace.org
posted 2/18/08 @ 2:06 AM CST
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers:
Little we see in nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The Winds that will be howling at all hours
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for every thing, we are out of tune;
It moves us not-Great God! I'd rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn
Have sight of Proteus coming from the sea,
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn. (Continued…)
aafridi_smart
posted 2/18/08 @ 4:05 AM CST
hi u sending new hot mail
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