Getting your kit off for up to 100 strangers can be a little intimidating, life model Ken Ralphs admits. But he loves being part of the art scene, and thinks nerves can actually be a help in the job, rather than a hindrance.
Ken and fellow life model Trudi Wright do it all in the name of art – modelling for classes in Manchester city centre several times a week. The retired couple have been life models for around 20 years, sometimes posing together as well as on their own.
“I stopped working very early on, I retired a long time ago and I got fed up and needed something to do,” Ken, 62, told the Manchester Evening News. “So, I started modelling. It’s quite challenging, let’s put it that way.
"We like being part of the artistic scene and I like the people I meet and I love everything about it. It’s hard; it’s a tough job.
"It’s a really difficult thing to do and in some ways, it can be quite intimidating. You get groups of up to 100 people joining us."
But he added: "I feel like being slightly nervous helps. You couldn’t do it otherwise."
Life drawing, or figure drawing, is artists capture the ‘human form’ by studying a live model. The real-life subject is usually placed in the centre of the room.
Bee Creative Studio offers bi-weekly life-drawing lessons, inviting artists of all levels to attend. On average, models get paid £20 to £30 an hour.
Trudi, also 62, said she loves to see the final result at the end of each class. “It’s fascinating seeing their own perception of you,” she said.
“Once you get going, it’s addictive. A lot of people going to the classes are going so often.
“It’s an absolute credit and a testimony to the artists that in such a short space of time they do the most amazing pictures. It’s a mini world and once you get involved, it’s fascinating.”
“People shouldn’t be nervous, it’s very welcoming,” Trudi continued. “I started modelling slowly at first doing a couple of classes and it just mushroomed. I really enjoyed it.
“We either model individually or together. You get to meet interesting people and it’s really rewarding, it’s really good.
“It’s not about us – I always think we’re there to help the artists and it’s never about our egos. It’s about doing what we can to help them do the best drawing.”
