A feel-good story

Figure sketch in oils by Carol L. Douglas

Figure sketch in oils by Carol L. Douglas

A recent pair of studies suggests that attending life-drawing classes makes people feel better about their own body. The first study, done earlier this year, surveyed 138 men and women who regularly attended life drawing classes.

The subjects completed various assessments to measure positive and negative body image, analyzed against how many classes they’d taken. “For women, greater attendance was significantly associated with higher body appreciation and a lower drive for thinness and social physique anxiety. For men, greater attendance was significantly associated with higher body appreciation,” Professor Viren Swami reported.

Figure sketch in oils by Carol L. Douglas

Figure sketch in oils by Carol L. Douglas

Because life-drawing classes might attract people with already-positive body images, Professor Swami repeated the study with 37 women taking part in a class for the first time. Similar results were found.

The effect is more marked among women students than men, and Professor Swami speculated that this may be because more models are female.

No wonder artists are so unconcerned with their appearance! Most importantly, life-drawing classes provide the best opportunity to learn to draw. But if you suffer from body image problems, they’re a lot cheaper than psychotherapy.

Carol Douglas

About Carol Douglas

Carol L. Douglas is a painter who lives, works and teaches in Rockport, ME. Her annual workshop will again be held on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park, from August 6-11, 2017. Visit www.watch-me-paint.com/ for more information.