Current Events > Who's the ceman who used to pay models like Susan Coffey to sit while he drew?

(+) Yeah! (+)

What's his username

@Vol2tex
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Hi, what's up?
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@Vol2tex

How did you book models? Through model mayhem or did you email them and ask them for their rates?

Generally speaking, what were the rates

and where did you sketch them? did you rent a room somewhere?

posting this through here and not pm so other cemen can learn this stuff if they were curious

Hm. I'm curious.
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At first, it was Model Mayhem. Then, I started using Craigslist. Then Instagram.

Model Mayhem is excellent for browsing portfolios and searching for models by specific features and locations. I used to browse and then message people. The downside now, though, is that recently they instituted membership levels for access to features. The basic/free membership doesn't let you message anyone you aren't friends with, yet it also only lets you send 5 friend requests per 24 hours. Many models don't accept "drive-by" friend requests and prefer a message first. You can see the problem this creates. Now you have to pay to be able to message anyone, I believe $6 per month is the lowest paid membership level.

Also, in general Model Mayhem isn't that popular anymore. Almost none of the models I worked with from there still use the site regularly.

Posting an ad on Craigslist (of course) doesn't let you manually browse for specific types of models, but I love that more "everyday" people, people who aren't even models, respond and are interested in it. It is awesome seeing people who would never make a profile on Model Mayhem.

I believe that most of the models migrated to Instagram now, as they update that regularly. The downside is that some of them say "No DMs" and they don't post their email either.

On other occasions, I email people if their email is indeed on their Instagram or on their official website.

The rates vary depending upon the type and popularity of the model and what your budget is. For art models who actually model at art schools, the rates should be $15-$25 per hour (although research your location). Models who are more fashion and glamour and editorial models will likely ask for $100 per hour, but you can often negotiate them down since it is drawing and not photography. If you use Craigslist, you would have to offer $40-$100 to get a decent amount of responses.

I usually drew them at a studio that I would rent on an hourly basis. NYC has a lot of those, you have to check if your area has anything like that.
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How hard did you bang them Vol2tex
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What would a typical email of yours look like?

That you want to draw them and want to know their rates?

If it is Model Mayhem, models often specify on their page which information to include in a message to them. Typically, they want you to include the type of shoot, length of shoot, location, if makeup is necessary, and your budget. I normally send a message complementing their portfolio and saying that I would love to work with them on a drawing, then stating the location and the rates I am offering (or asking them what their rates would be).
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