Monday 15 May 2017

004【體模之路:祼體模特兒入門】 之【1。簡介繪畫裸體模特兒】

004【體模之路:祼體模特兒入門】
之【1。簡介繪畫裸體模特兒】

繪畫模特兒基本上是畫家們「活的人形」,雖然擺出各種姿勢時有自由度,但往往以繪畫者的引導為主,表情通常平和靜態。假如動作是一個「long post」,即長時間作固定動作,繪畫者們會選一個不同角度都能展示身體線條的姿態,模特兒會因應動作的舒適和自然作出調整,讓該動作能保持一段時間而不太勞累甚至感到痛楚。

繪畫模特兒的工作特質是和創作者有一定「距離」,因為繪畫者不是直接擷取模特兒的身體,而須要透過時間去消化眼睛所見,理解眼前的身體構造並以自己的方式創作,這亦是繪畫者與模特兒交流的重點——把眼前真實的影像與想像融合。

抽象、有個人風格的人體繪畫,不講自明地已達到這個藝術轉化。高超技巧的寫實人體繪畫,寫實程度雖幾可亂真,但重點是繪畫者會自動修正見到的瑕疵,把美的部份放大,所以無論多寫實的繪畫都不會相等於攝影。

不少模特兒本身也參與藝術工作,他們明白當其他繪畫者的「繆斯」的好玩之處。因為作品中的「人」既有模特兒的自我,也有他人(創作者)的角度或自我投射。模特兒在自己的作品中, 往往發現自己卻又不完全是他們的特質,而千個人就更有千種演繹方式。這也解釋了不少繪畫模特兒,卻未必願意當攝影模特兒,因為他們期望能即場參與這種持續進行的藝術交流,而不是直接地被擷取身體影像而已。

繪畫祼體模特兒、繪畫者及其作品,在繪畫進行時三者都有「距離」,而這「距離」讓大家感到安心又富挑戰性,在不斷來回拉扯的距離中,模特兒與繪畫者交流推進創作,激發創作慾念。

現時香港大部份的 life drawing class 都是在畫室內靜靜進行,通常一課約兩至三小時,長則可達六小時以上,視乎繪畫者的需要。除了祼體繪畫外,也可以加入道具作配件的主題,例如頭巾、布幅、繩子、花朵的運用,甚至加入衣飾,例如:旗袍。

畫室「經緯站」梁老師分享說,他曾畫過繪畫舞者的 life drawing class,捕捉舞者動作的繪畫是以「追憶」為依據,經驗難忘。我說這其實像在街上畫路人一樣,捕捉一瞬即逝的行人動態,不一定要留在畫室。梁老師進一步提出,繪畫模特兒其實也可以像攝影模特兒一樣在戶外、或水中等,讓繪畫者可以與模特兒有更多互動的可能性。

(速寫:梁老師)
(模特兒:Tommy)

【文章待續】
【2。簡介祼體攝影模特兒及《特別注意事項!》】【3。上述兩者比較】
【4。關於以金錢作為報酬】


004【Way to Life Modelling: How to Work as a Nude Model】
【1. Introduction to Nude Life Drawing Modelling】

Life drawing models are basically artists’ “live human figures”. Although there is freedom when making different poses, these usually originate from the artists’ directives, and facial expressions also tend towards being both placid and calm. If the position is supposed to be a “long pose”, that is, the model spending a long time in a fixed position, then artists will usually choose one that can display the curves of the body from multiple angles. The model will then adjust the position to make it more comfortable and natural-looking, so that he/she can hold it for a longer period without feeling tiredness or even pain.

In this line of work, life drawing models can keep a certain “distance” from the artists who draw them, as such artists do not directly capture the model’s bodies. Rather, the artists first need to spend time digesting what they see and understanding the structure of the body in front of them, then they can use their own methods of creation of putting it on the page. This is also the crux of the exchange between model and artist – the melding together of a real image and the imagination.

Life drawing that is abstract or carries a more personal style already belongs in this category of artistry. Life drawing done with superior technique may look life-like, but the important thing is that such artists will automatically refine the defects that they see, while magnifying areas of beauty. So, no matter how life-like the drawing, it will never be the same as photography.

Many models also work in the arts, as they understand the fun of being other artists’ “muse”. The reason is that the “people” in the work carry aspects of the models themselves, and also the perspectives and projections of the artists who created them. Models often find qualities of themselves that are thrillingly unfamiliar in these works of art, as a thousand artists will have a thousand different ways of interpreting what they see. This also explains why many life drawing models are unwilling to become photography models, as they thrive on being a part of this prolonged live artistic exchange, and do not wish to be simply be captured as a disposable image in one instant.

The three elements of nude life drawing modelling - models, artists, and the work, form an interesting triangle where there is distance among the three elements, yet this distance is able to both challenge and make everyone feel safe. In this space of push and pull, back and forth, the exchange between model and artist is able to catalyze much creative inspiration.

Nowadays most life drawing classes in Hong Kong happen quietly inside studios. Usually, each class is about 2-3 hours, with longer ones extending beyond 6 hours, depending on the needs of the artists. Aside from nude drawing, one can also add in props to set a theme for the session, for example, scarves, cloth, rope, and flowers, or even certain items of clothing such as the qipao.

A life drawing class host in the studio 「經緯站」, Mr Leung shares that he had once drawn a dancer in a life drawing class, and the way he captured the dancer’s movement was like “chasing memories” - it was an unforgettable experience. I say this is like drawing passersby on the street. One does not need to be in the studio to capture fleeting moments in motion. Mr Leung further states that drawing life models can, like photography modelling, also take place outdoors or even in water, allowing the artist and model even more possibilities for interaction and exchange.

life drawing: Mr. Leung
model: Tommy
translation: Janice Im

【Essay to be continued】
【2. Short Introduction to Nude Photography Modelling and
【3. Comparisons Between the Two】
【4. About Money as Compensation】