Nude Art Modeling: Get Paid to Get Naked (Legally) in 2020!

We all know that you can get paid to get naked – but not all the ways are very wholesome…or even legal.

There is, however, one way that you can get paid to take your clothes off that won’t leave you feeling ashamed or get you in trouble with the law.

It’s known as nude art modeling, and while it won’t be the right gig for everyone, it certainly could be a lucrative side gig for some.

What is Nude Art Modeling?

Nude art modeling is an unconventional, but completely realistic, way to make some money in your spare time.

Nude art models basically post for classrooms filled with art students who are learning to draw the human body.

The reason for drawing a nude body is so the students can learn to gain an eye for the intricate details needed to form the human shape.

It’s not an easy task, which is why art teachers have their students practice with real models.

Nude modeling is common in art classes in community or regular colleges and universities, but you may also find this method of teaching in local classes hosted by art galleries, museums, and other community buildings.

What Do Nude Art Models Do?

As a nude art model, you’ll pose how the teacher instructs you, which usually depends on what the class is covering that day.

You may be asked to lie down on a sofa with your back facing the class or sitting on a stool facing the class.

Sometimes, an instructor will ask you to find your own poses, changing them every few minutes so that the class can get a full view of your body to draw as they see fit.

Some classes focus on the human form in action, so you may be asked to do something like pretending to throw a ball, so the art students can get a better sense of muscle tone to accentuate in their drawings.

Therefore, it’s important to understand exactly what an instructor wants you to do before you sign up to model for them.

If you’re not comfortable coming up with your own poses to assist the instructor, then you may not be right for some jobs that require this asset.

You may also need to understand how to work with various props, like furniture, objects, or pieces of clothing, depending on what the students need to draw.

How Long Do You Need to Pose?

If you’re in a class where you’ll need to hold your pose, you may be in that position for a while.

It’s not uncommon for college classes to take anywhere from 1 to 3 hours.

You won’t be holding the post that whole time, but you may be there for most of it.

Holding one position for that long can become incredibly painful!

Some instructors may allow you to have breaks every so often to maintain blood flow and prevent cramping, but if you’re not sure what the policy is, be sure to ask before starting the gig.

Nude art models should be in good physical shape before taking on such a big task.

You may learn, over time, how to best hold your poses to prevent pain and cramping, like relaxing your muscles as much as possible and avoiding locking your elbows and knees to hold a pose.

But these tricks of the trade can take a long time to learn and master, even for the most seasoned professionals.

I’ve read a few accounts from people who have actually been nude models before, though, and some of them state that instructors are usually okay with models taking quick breaks when needed.

If you start to feel crampy or pained, you might want to ask if you can switch positions or take a quick, 5-minute break to get your blood flowing again.

Is Full Nudity Required?

I can understand why you’d want to know whether you need to get totally naked or if you can keep some clothes on during your modeling phase.

The answer is that it’ll depend on the class you’re in.

Some instructors may be okay with you wearing a bra and underwear or keeping a sheet draped over your lap.

Others may be very specific in wanting you to undress completely, especially if the class is working on realistic detail and need to see the full body to do that.

So, it’s important that you feel comfortable being fully undressed, just in case that’s a requirement for the class you’ll be modeling in.

The good news is that you don’t need to feel weird about your body.

Nude art is all about being realistic.

The best professors will want their students to be able to see and draw real bodies of all shapes, sizes, and colors to really hone their craft.

So whether you’re big, little, curvy, and anything in between, you still have a fair shot at nude modeling.

Most places will not critique your body before deciding to hire you; instead, they’ll check out your experience and portfolio and decide based on your credentials.

How Much Does It Pay?

The pay for nude modeling can vary greatly depending on where you live, how in demand it is in your area, and where you find jobs.

It seems that the hourly range is anywhere from $20 to $100, based on several accounts from nude art models that I’ve gathered online.

Most commonly, the rate falls within the $20 to $50 range.

However, as a nude model, you typically work for yourself, so the rate you get is often the rate you set.

Of course, you’ll need to find clients willing to pay your rate, which is where the disconnect comes in.

For example, you may have a hard time convincing a small community college with a low budget to pay you $80 per hour. They may only be able to squeeze out $30 an hour from the budget.

However, a privately hosted class at a nearby art gallery may willingly pay $100 or more per hour for your time.

Your client, therefore, will have the biggest influence on how much you can realistically charge.

And if you’re responding to an ad for a nude model with a set rate, it’s going to be even tougher to negotiate.

Still, even at the bottom rate, $20 an hour to pose for an art class isn’t a bad gig!

How to Become a Nude Model

If all of this sounds intriguing to you but you have no idea how to get started, then this section will help you out.

What You Need to Start

First, you’re going to need to gather some portfolio pieces together.

Clients are going to want to know what you look like just to get a better idea of you and how you compare to other candidates.

If you don’t have prior modeling experience yet, you can simply add some headshots and full-body photos of yourself.

Try to include professional-looking photos that show off your personality best.

You can also add a resume and be sure to include any similar experience you’ve had, such as acting in a commercial or being a headshot model. Anything relative can help set you apart.

Be sure to have a bag that you can bring with you to store your clothes in when you undress, and having a robe to wear as you enter the classroom is a good idea too (most places won’t provide that for you).

Some gigs may want you to bring along props, sheets, or other things to use during the session, so ask about this before you agree to work.

Where to Find Gigs

If you live in or near a large city, you probably don’t need to search far to find nude modeling gigs.

The newspaper, Facebook, and Craigslist can all be good sources to find them.

However, those who live in suburban or rural areas may not have such an easy time, especially if there aren’t any art museums or colleges nearby.

You still can search Craigslist for surrounding towns and cities, which may pull up some results.

You might also try browsing online job sites, like Indeed and SimplyHired.

Search for a term like “art model” or “nude art model” to find similar gigs.

You can also bookmark ArtModelTips.com, which has art sessions that utilize nude art models listed for various countries.

Final Thoughts

It’s an interesting gig, that’s for sure, but nude art modeling is also a viable way to earn some extra money when you have time.

Book a few gigs during evening classes or weekends when you don’t work to bring in a few hundred extra dollars per month.

Once you’ve gotten your first few sessions out of the way, you’ll feel like the pro that you are.

Good luck, and be sure to visit here again and let us know how it went!