The following pages provide thousands of examples of life model poses presented by several models representing a wide range of body types. They are designed to serve as a quick reference to help life models prepare for nude modeling sessions. Click the photo to access the type of poses you want to view.
These nude photo libraries are conveniently divided by physical sex {female, male} and type of position {standing, seated, crouching, recumbent}.
For even more pose ideas, see the listings provided at pose ideas for life models.
Female standing poses
Female seated poses
Female crouching poses
Female recumbent poses
Male standing poses
Male seated poses
Male crouching poses
Male recumbent poses
Multiple Model Poses
Mid-air Poses
Clothed/nude side by side
Clothed/nude side by side
All photos on these pages reprinted with special permission of On Air Video, Inc, Live Model Books LLC, or the New Masters Academy, which maintains the copyright to these photos. All these web sites provide fine art instructional resources for figurative artists. To access these offerings, click here:
Found this site most educational as i did my first posing last week at the age of 72
Yea for you. Hope it was fun.
Thanks for these poses. They are so so beautiful and most important for study.
wow! there are different types of figures & lot of poses, thank you for helping me to improve my figurative drawing skill, They are so so beautiful…
i want to be a model…what are the req. for this?
Anyone can be an artist model if you can find work. See the Frequently Asked Questions page, the detailed instructions on how to find work as a life model, and the instructions on how to serve as an artist model.
First of all you need to be extremely comfortable with your body, you should not be shy to be nude or showing your body in front of the camera. It’s an art. So first make sure you are comfortable with that.
these are inspirational, it indeed improve my figurative ideas for photograph and drawing references. the poses are beautiful thank you
Great
I’m an aspiring art student, so this was very helpful indeed. But I think there needs to be a few more flexing poses for both genders. The muscles in the arm are a tough one for me. Nonetheless, this was helpful in numerous ways. It also helped me with facial proportions. Thank you.
Ever since I discovered this website I have absolutely adored it! Its hard looking up nude art models to draw for the sake of improving ones art skills without getting some sort of unclassy porno pics. Thank you for this website. 🙂
Thanks to this website for diffrent types of figure pose ,all the models are terrific, specialy “RHUS” i like your pose .
I am 56 andTonight is my first time to pose nude. private setting the person is female and knows me very nervous. Seeing the poses has helped.
Thanks for sharing, some really great poses. Been looking for something like this for some ideas
Just recently discovered the site during a random search, and give it 2 thumbs up for valuable information, and the variety of models and poses.
Many years ago as a young man in my early 20’s, I stumbled into life modeling while looking for extra income in the summer. I answered an add for “life art model” at a local college, figuring with a tall, lean physique, how difficult could it be to model ?( no, I didn’t realize at the time, that it required posing totally unclothed— until meeting the woman who chaired the art department.)
A combination of needs: me needing some additional cash without having to commit long hours conflicting with my full time job, and she in dire need of a model, who could start tomorrow brought us together.
With me having zero experience, she suggested I come to her class that afternoon to observe the setting, and pick up pointers from the model, who was about to leave.
I got there as the class—about 25 students…the majority of whom were female, settled into their chairs. BTW..this was a group of high schoolers attending a summer arts program at the university. The instructor pointed out to me, it was likely the 16-17 year olds first experience in life art drawing with a live model.
Anyway I watched as the model began to disrobe, (a man possibly between 35-40), who was a bit stocky and kind of “flabby”, in my young, judgmental opinion. I smuggly thought to myself, that with a swimmers build and barely an ounce of body fat, I’d be quite an improvement to the class. The thought perished instantaneously, when he struck his first gesture pose facing the class, instructor and me—he was,well, ah, ..well hung.
I myself, was near the back of the line when male endowments were being awarded—picture Michelangelo’s David..or many of the Renaissance period male nudes.
Needless to say, I got (ice)cold feet after class ended, and the professor and I walked back to her office to complete the necessary paperwork for my employment as a life model.
She was quite aware of my uncomfortableness as we sat down, so she broke the silence by saying, “ all men are NOT created equal, but in figure drawing we prefer variety ! “
At that she pulled out a small binder, with probably 2 dozen pictures of nude men and women, from college age to seniors with gray hair, various physiques ranging between muscular and well toned, to plus size, engaged in various poses. ( the models’ faces were either turned away from the camera or had their heads cropped off to, I guess, ensure privacy).
I started to feel better about doing the modeling, but admitted wishing I had some previous experience on how to pose and act, prior to beginning the job. So the instructor offered to pay me for a full session, if I wanted to practice in the studio for about a half hour. I thought, why not ?
She said it would be a good idea to round up a few others to join in the impromptu class, so she called out to a nearby area of cubicles, asking a couple of grad students if they could spare some time to come sketch. She even asked the department secretary to join in, who agreed.
So with little time for me to get nervous, we all made the long walk down to the other end of the building to the studio for my “unveiling.” As we walked, the women engaged me in conversation, and very much put me at ease.
Well, I quickly disrobed, assumed a hands on hip pose, and waited for the instructor to guide me. It worked out great, as not being a formal class setting, she could spend as much time as needed to explain the art of posing, holding a position while having me count down 60 seconds in my head until striking another gesture.
I think, we spent almost 45 minutes in the studio —and the time flew by. Finally the grad students and secretary said they really needed to get back to office duties.
That ended the practice session, and began an art model experience for me which lasted almost 4 years.
I was fortunate to have a good relationship with the professor, who used me for college classes throughout the year, plus as a free lance model, when she taught community ED art programs, along with some small group private lessons. It was enjoyable and helped add some extra funds to my budget.
As a semi retired 60 year old, I am seriously considering getting back to life modeling in the near future.
If I were to offer advice to anyone—young or old, about modeling, first and foremost, be punctual and reliable. Instructors appreciate—and reward those who follow a schedule and are easy to work with.
Love to check out these poses.have been modeling for 13 years.still like new poses