Reflections on Virtual Figure Tuesdays — Agitator Co op

Published on Saturday, November 7, 2020 by Agitator Co-operative

Reflections on Virtual Figure Tuesdays

by Jen Lau, Agitator member

Virtual Figure Tuesdays has been our attempt at instilling a small of sense normalcy during the pandemic.

It’s been a challenge reconfiguring these weekly meetups for the internet but it has also allowed us to continue to foster a creative community while simultaneously expanding our reach beyond Chicago. Here’s a look at this year’s virtual figure-draw… — It’s been a challenge reconfiguring these weekly meetups for the internet but it has also allowed us to continue to foster a creative community while simultaneously expanding our reach beyond Chicago. Here’s a look at this year’s virtual figure-drawing sessions through the eyes of a few of our hard-working models and faithful patrons:

I have always appreciated the complexity of the human figure, but I feel as though it is often seen in a certain way- up on a pedestal and always idealized.

Figure drawing returns us to the natural and beautiful reality that imperfections make us who we are and in doing so let us see truth.

I wanted to continue the experience of figure drawing that I once had in-person online to see how it would shape my perception and change my drawing style.

It has given me perspective.

I once only sought to replicate what I saw to an exact finite solution, but through Zoom I've had to take more chances and artistic liberties which I feel has freed me from my old habits.

Zoom has allowed me to express and see a certain subject from the perspective of other fellow artists simultaneously. It also puts a more personal experience before us- allowing for a more close knit artistic community that we seek to return to each — Zoom has allowed me to express and see a certain subject from the perspective of other fellow artists simultaneously. It also puts a more personal experience before us- allowing for a more close knit artistic community that we seek to return to each week.

I love the complex challenge of drawing the human figure. It can help an artist hone their sense of perspective, negative shape, gesture, etc.

I haven't drawn the figure in a few years, so when I heard about your virtual figure drawing sessions, I jumped at the chance to refresh those skills.

I've started using an iPad for drawing now. Before this, I always drew the figure on paper.

It's made me realize that technology has the potential to improve all areas of our lives, even the arts.

Attempting to capture the complexity of the human form with just some charcoal.

I missed drawing and most of my evening activities were cancelled due to COVID, so it was a nice thing to revisit.

I found it a struggle. The screen resolution and lighting were hard for me to see details.

I did enjoy meeting new people and having a wide variety of new models.

It’s nice to draw for fun and extra practice is never a bad thing.

I had forgotten how quickly the short poses end so I need to work on loosening up during those.

I enjoyed the community of the in-person sessions but Agitator was a little far for me, so I like joining virtually.

It's made it easier for me to do it a little more regularly.

I love meeting people in their homes. Seems to take down some of the walls, even though that sounds totally weird being as you're in MORE walls.

I love the creativity and parody videos people have been making through quarantine. The fun side of folks is more easily enjoyed.

Models

A little more work for setup on the model's end prior to the actual class, but that's fine. After things get underway it's more or less normal as it was although I still prefer in-person. More worries about spotty internet connection tuning me/the sk — A little more work for setup on the model's end prior to the actual class, but that's fine. After things get underway it's more or less normal as it was although I still prefer in-person. More worries about spotty internet connection tuning me/the sketchers out, more fiddling with making sure all of me is in the frame and I can be seen properly. Had to do some work with placing my laptop higher-up lower via chairs, ottomans, books, etc, to make things work when I'm posing while sitting vs. posing while standing.

I mean it's good in a pinch like this and I'm grateful for the connection it offers and the reminder that humans will try to connect and maintain relationships no matter what. But I do hope when the pandemic comes under some control that I never have — I mean it's good in a pinch like this and I'm grateful for the connection it offers and the reminder that humans will try to connect and maintain relationships no matter what. But I do hope when the pandemic comes under some control that I never have to use it again.

DaLawn: I like in-person and online modeling about the same. Online sessions can reach an infinite number of artists worldwide. I have a makeshift stand that I put my camera on. I set it up so it's an in-person perspective, not too high or low. My ba — DaLawn: I like in-person and online modeling about the same. Online sessions can reach an infinite number of artists worldwide. I have a makeshift stand that I put my camera on. I set it up so it's an in-person perspective, not too high or low. My background scene stays about the same but I can make quick changes if needed. There's a normalized futuristic sci-fi feel to it.

Jason: In many ways for me it's the same as far as the work goes, poses are similar, etc. I am getting used to interacting online. I do enjoy that it helps me fit it into my day better because I have no travel time. I do miss the social aspect of bei — Jason: In many ways for me it's the same as far as the work goes, poses are similar, etc. I am getting used to interacting online. I do enjoy that it helps me fit it into my day better because I have no travel time. I do miss the social aspect of being in person, but I'm not sure it would be the same anymore anyway with distancing measures and no food or drink or anything. So the reasons to be in person are diminished right now, for me.

My first sessions were through a laptop and the camera lens was difficult to work with, but I was able to make do and be creative with cropping and such. Now I have upgraded to a new phone and the lens is much better. I have a tripod and I can adjust — My first sessions were through a laptop and the camera lens was difficult to work with, but I was able to make do and be creative with cropping and such. Now I have upgraded to a new phone and the lens is much better. I have a tripod and I can adjust angles now much better too. And the best part is my whole body fits in a standing pose, with this new lens. Foreshortening is heightened by the camera lens, and so I have had to modify some poses so that they do not appear as distorted or extreme, to include less foreshortening. It's expanded my idea of community. There is no geographical limit, no obstacles of time and transportation, and so it can be more inclusive.

Maggie: Being [lightly] clothed gives me freedom to do poses I may not otherwise do while nude which is a plus. As soon as the session is over, I'm already home which is also nice. Nothing gives the same aura as being in a room with other creators wh — Maggie: Being [lightly] clothed gives me freedom to do poses I may not otherwise do while nude which is a plus. As soon as the session is over, I'm already home which is also nice. Nothing gives the same aura as being in a room with other creators while making art so the same feeling isn't there.

Having to do my own set up is a deficit. Also, I have no control over people taking screen shots. I charge for photos in person, so if people take screen shots and don't tell me, it's shady but there's nothing I can do. It has expanded the reach of s — Having to do my own set up is a deficit. Also, I have no control over people taking screen shots. I charge for photos in person, so if people take screen shots and don't tell me, it's shady but there's nothing I can do. It has expanded the reach of studios to national and international.

Andrew: I prefer in person, it's a lot harder to get the right spot and to communicate online.

Michael: I prefer the freedom of perspective it imparts to the session. It becomes a more cinema-graphic experience. Limited space. Being squeezed into a box.

The solution was using the Contained universe of the Camera to tell a different kind of story. While it potentially connects greater volumes of people, it reduces intimacy.

Carolyn: You're essentially performing the same functions as you would in person but the viewers are only seeing you from one angle. I prefer in-person. Some of the challenges of modeling online is securing a space free of distractions. I live with a — Carolyn: You're essentially performing the same functions as you would in person but the viewers are only seeing you from one angle. I prefer in-person. Some of the challenges of modeling online is securing a space free of distractions. I live with a roommate and two pets, and sometimes they'll enter the shot or make noises off screen. I've been able to work with my roommate's schedule so that I do have some quiet alone time.

It changed my belief that there would be no interest in online modeling. I figured people would be satisfied with working from photos or poseable dolls.

Here’s the author’s view during a Virtual Figure Tuesdays session earlier in the summer.

Thank you to all who contributed- including: Andrew Rose Vickers, Alvin Black III, Archangelo Crelencia, Anna Hof, Betsy Arnfield, Carl Wilson, Dina Hadziselimovic, Erin Rusmi, Hamsen Peeler, Melanie O’Brien, Carolyn Carney, DaLawn Simpson, Jason Schroeder, Maggie Hall, Michael Moody.