Open Figure Drawing

The longstanding tradition of hosting Open Figure Drawing Sessions in the Department of Art originated with the Student Visual Arts Organization in 2000 and continues with the support of Graduate Assistants. We invite the UB and WNY community to create life drawings in a professional environment from dedicated live nude models for a nominal fee.

Details:

Open Figure Drawing (OFD) is on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM, RM 208 CFA.

  • Spring 2025 sessions run from 1/22/25 - 4/30/25, except for March 19 due to UB Spring Break.
  • Cost remains a $5 cash fee per session. 
  • High School Students with ID must sign in with their full name and school and draw for free.
  • Sessions begin with ten 1-3 minute gesture poses to warm-up and prepare for drawing longer poses. 
  • There may be three 10 minute poses before moving into a series that are 20 to 30 minutes long.
  • A ten minute break is provided near the midpoint of the session.
  • Signing the log and fee payment may occur at the beginning or middle of the session.

Model No-Show or Cancellation:

In case of a model no-show, if the participants want to model, clothed, for one another, the session may continue as usual. In this case participants still sign in for record-keeping purposes, but no fee is collected. If a model calls off and no model can be hired an email to the group will be sent to participants by 4:00 pm Wednesday.

Figure Drawing Studio Policy:

The following rules promote a safe, appropriate, and enjoyable figure-drawing experience. The model’s dignity, respect, and comfort are essential to maintaining a safe and sustainable figure-drawing studio.

  • All mobile phone use is prohibited in the studio during model sessions.
  • Photographs or video of the Model are not permitted at any time.
  • The Model and Proctor decide if the session is quiet or has music.
  • The Proctor communicates with the Model on poses, duration, and comfort issues.
  • The Proctor must approve requests to change the model's pose or duration of poses.
  • The Proctor must approve any changes to lighting or studio layout.
  • Currently, masks are not required.

Emergencies:

If an emergency alarm is sounded, please gather your coat and valuables and leave the building using the front entrance or emergency stairs. When the all-clear is announced you may return to complete a session or pick up your materials. 

In any instance where urgent emergency assistance is needed call 716-645-2222 for campus police or use the red phone in the back hallway for emergency services. Provide your name, location, and reason for the call.

The proctor or other graduate assistants should notify the Department of Art Administrative Assistant and Staff Sponsor of any incident, accident, or unsafe situation and if emergency services were contacted.

Apply to be a model:

Model Application

Nude models are sought for either the Wednesday night "Open Figure Drawing", or for Art classes of enrolled students at other times, or both.

Questions:

A line of students sketching during Figure Drawing Class, at angled drawing tables, with miscellaneous drawing implements and various types of paper on their work stations in front of them, including colored pencils, charcoal, and crayons.

Students sketching during Figure Drawing Class (ART223, instructed by Faculty Joan Linder), December 2023.