Post Classifieds
Artists and models free their minds in weekly figure drawing class
By Colleen Young
On March 20, 2013
Every week, the visual arts community connects with the Buffalo State campus to circulate
artistic ideas and visions during figure drawing sessions.
Artists and models share a productive yet relaxed atmosphere in Monday Night Figure Drawing,
hosted by the Visual Arts Board, every Monday night in Upton Hall 512 from 7-10 p.m.
The objective is that over time, artists will become better at rendering the nude body.
"Yes, it's a nude figure, but it's all connected to the Greek ideal of beauty in nature," said Shawn
O'Rourke, chair and supporting member of the Visual Arts Board. "If artists keep an open mind,
they see the body's lines and shapes. Each person is beautiful in their own way."
The event is open to students and the greater public. Regular attendees range in age from college
freshmen to senior citizens.
One of the regulars, Dick Miller, takes a fine arts drawing class at Buffalo State and comes to
these sessions to strengthen his watercolor skills. He enjoys the program and says that it fits in
with his usual artwork.
"Monday Night Figure Drawing is a wonderful experience for an older person," said Miller. "I
enjoy being with the young people."
The venue is large and spacious. The group makes a decision on if they prefer music or silence
for concentration. There's also a privacy screen in front of the door to make the artists and
models more comfortable.
O'Rourke said artists are able to detach emotion from their work and realize that this is purely
structural, due to the mature setting.
"Figure drawing relates to nature, and the human body lives with nature," said O'Rourke. "We
judge each other every day, and in that setting, there's no judging."
Week to week, artists challenge themselves as well as other artists to keep learning.
"Figure drawing isn't restrictive; there's an organic interaction," said Sean Leavell, another
chair and supporting member. "Two people next to each other can talk. There are different skill
levels in the rooms, so people are learning from their peers. Artists aren't too intimidated to ask
questions.
"This is what the Visual Arts Board does for the community through the (USG) fund, and there's
a freedom for the artists during it."
The Visual Arts Board hires a variety of models to pose for three hours each Monday night. To
keep the room relaxed, there is a lot of interaction between artists and model. Artists are invited
to suggest different poses throughout the evening if they want to render something specific.
Many of the models are open to suggestions and willing to help the artists to the best of their
abilities.
Sasha Nibar, a senior sociology major and theater minor, usually models and is now trying to
draw others. She said that her decision to model was spontaneous, and she was excited, yet
nervous. During her first few minutes of modeling, she was smiling on the inside and found
inspiration to keep posing.
"My motivation to keep still and not be bored is to think of the artists who want to better
themselves," said Nibar. "It's not about the money; it's about the artists... I enjoy doing it."
Nibar said that the artists understand if she has to quickly stretch during a pose. They know the
human body moves and sinks, so small movements are okay.
She added that artists do have one challenge while she's modeling.
"I have an afro, and people don't know how to draw that," said Nibar. "But it's nice to see my
body in a different way, not in a picture but on a paper that someone took time to draw."
The artists' skill levels in the room vary from beginner to expert.
"It is always enjoyable to see how others progress and discover throughout the evening," said
O'Rourke. "(Regulars) see a... progression in artistic style and individuality. We are all here for
the same reason, to challenge and progress in the study of nature, and the relationship between
the human figure and the surrounding environment."
This figure drawing class differs from others in that it's structured similarly, yet there's no
teacher, so it's less intimidating. Since artists aren't getting graded, they don't feel as rushed to
complete it by the end of the night.
Artists are able to detach themselves from the fact that there's a nude body in front of them and
focus on their goal of rendering a live model.
"It can take some getting used to when working with nude models if it is something you are not
used to," said Nicole Schmidt, Treasurer of the Visual Arts Board. "They are viewed in a very
professional and academic way. The naked body is something artists have been working with as
subject matter for centuries. I believe it is humans in our most natural form."
Artists enjoy the figure drawing sessions because they prefer to work from real life rather than a
picture.
"When artists are allowed the opportunity to observe a nude body, they can better understand
the anatomical structure underneath," said Schmidt. "The ways certain muscle groups work
together allow the body to position itself in different ways. It is always best to practice observing
and drawing nude models because when artists decide to create figurative art with or without
clothing, they will be more anatomically correct.
"I think it is a very liberating experience for both the model and the students."
O'Rourke said that the artists' progress yields true satisfaction.
"These artists work hard, and you see those results," said O'Rourke. "The truth is in the paper."
Colleen Young can be reached by email at young.record@live.com.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
'Injustice' is a fighting delight
In the spring of 2011, the award-winning NetherRealm Game Studios established itself as a heavyweight in the fighting genre of the ...
NASO engages college community in cultural comeback
The Native American Student Organization explored oral history, cultural identity and other topics in a speaker series entitled ...
THE RECORD TURNS 100: Animal Kingdom - April 8, 1970
In celebration of 100 years of service to Buffalo State, The Record will re-print one former article in each of its 10 issues this ...
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
- African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye Disease
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
- Keeping Cool and Energy-efficient Amid America’s “...
- Addressing Sarcopenia with a Healthy Diet
- Subway’s New Wraps Elevate Eating on the Go
- Family Teacher Conference Topics Beyond Academics
- Youth Take Down Tobacco
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Reads to Kickoff Spring
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES LAUNCH FIRST-EVER HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL
- THE GEN Z IMPERATIVE: LISTEN TO FEELINGS AND GIVE GEN Z A VOICE
