Life class

Jane

Hey fabbers, so my view of my body is shifting, thank you to all of you who boosted my confidence with my recent post

I went to a very short life class yesterday evening. It was excellent. Here's my drawing - so cool that I got to draw another woman's body and really look!

I was pleased with the drawing and pleased that my thinking continues to shift.

Thank you ladies!

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9 years ago

Off Topic

10 replies

Latest reply was from Jane

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Love this. Art is a great way to see the beauty in every individual body

9 years ago

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Wow, that's a lovely sketch Jane.

I'm so glad to know your thinking is shifting I know these things take time.

I went through my own process about 5 years ago and would like to share my story. I had gained 8 to 10 kilos since my wedding and never really updated my wardrobe. I continued to wear the same or similar clothes I wore back in college, and obviously, I never felt fab. Instead, I always felt overweight and uncomfortable in my clothes and thought the problem was that I was overweight. I tried really hard to lose weight--- I exercised a lot, followed many diets and stressed myself over it for almost a year. I had horrible body image and it reflected in everything - my clothes, my confidence ... Everything.

I didn't understand or know of 'body shape guide' back then. I didn't understand that if you didn't look like a model or fit a 28" waist jeans, you aren't "fat". You just have curves! I hated my larger than average bust & was wearing a wrong bra size too.

It was my sister who pointed out to me that maybe it's not my body - maybe it was my dressing style. I should try different style of clothes. So I went shopping with an open mind and bought myself a few things that "looked" better in the mirror. I got skinny jeans so my shapely lower half was emphasized and got V-neck shirts that also helped visually de-bulk my bust. I got professionally fitted and got the right bras and then I started to read online about dressing your body.

I discovered the "Hourglass" body shape dressing rules and instantly updated my closets with those things. I definitely looked better when I started to dress to embrace my curves! And in no time, I started to accept my body. Something strange happened then ---- when I stopped trying to desperately lose weight and just ate healthy and exercised, ppl started telling me all the time that I had lost sooo much weight. In reality, I hadn't. It was just the changed dressing style. The same people who always commented on me being 'plump' or 'little overweight' now said I had the 'perfect figure'.

My eye continued to change and my opinion about body perfection did too. I still am technically overweight for my height but I feel healthy and happy. This 'shift' took a lot of time and is a work in progress. My dressing style has evolved a lot since then, and I no longer adhere 100% to the body type dressing rules....but they really really helped me accept my body - curves and all.

9 years ago

Anonymous

Oh, that's great Jane! I did quite a few life drawing classes when I did a year at art college many, many years ago. I still have the drawings...in fact I still have my whole huge art folder of work. I had to draw two very different ladies. One very slender and boyish in figure type and the other was rather more sumptuous. I enjoyed the challenge of getting proportions right and worked in pencil and pastels.

9 years ago

Vildy

Veteran

Well, I'm impressed. She looks so strong and grounded. Did you already know you had this talent?

9 years ago

Mochi

Veteran

Great drawing! I took a few life drawing classes and enjoyed them. All of the models apart from one were men : D . It was cool to see people in class (plus the model, obviously) being very natural about the human body.

9 years ago

Chris987

Veteran

That's a great drawing Jane. You obviously have a real feel for it. And what a great way to focus on different body shapes without judging the person.

Maneera LOVE your posting....how brave of you to tell that story, and what an incredible transformation. You should be very proud of yourself for taking the risks etc. So inspirational. You are lucky to have that sister.

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

You draw well!

9 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Strong and healthy lovely drawing.

9 years ago

Carla

Veteran

Lovely work, Jane! I worked as an artist's model when I was in uni, and posed for life classes for a group of established artists, and for the local college's advanced students. The artists were always respectful. I learned that the first years took turns being the life model for their peers during their classes. That took care of any snickers pretty quick!

In addition to the hourly rate, some artists would let me pick something from their portfolio, or give me one of their sketches. I amassed a nice little collection during that time.

9 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Thank you so much for your kind comments. It is lovely to have a place to post the drawing where there is a kind understanding.

Maneera, thank you for sharing your story. I am so grateful to have read it. It gives me confidence that one day, my head will re wire and think in a different way.

Runcarla, how lovely to have a collection of drawings of you, so different from photos.

Di, you are so creative and talented. I hope your DS has inherited some of your talent.

Vildy, I've done some drawing before, but not a life class.

Thank you all for looking and for your kind comments.

9 years ago

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