Artistic Nudes...

[Lunatique]

I think it has to do with how the average culture view masculinity and femininity. Females nudes usually can portray many things we don't normally associate with men--vulnerability, soft sensuality, coquittish charm...etc. There are certainly pretty boys out there too, but I think the cuves on males are just not as dramatic as the ones on a female body--the curvature of the breatsts, the swelling of the hips, the slender waist, the hairless smoothness of the skin (although sometimes result of shaving)...etc. Sure, you can find men that also have somewhat the same qualities, but by then he'd be less of a male in looks and more of a female anyway.

Men can also make good subjects--look at some of the famous sculptures from past to present--many of which are of male nudes, as the musuclar body of the male provides a nice challenge to depict. Male nudes can express things that female nudes can't as well--strength, intensity, gravity, power...etc.

In one of the figure drawing sessions I held a number of years ago, we had a male model that posed in a way that was very interesting--he had a vulnerability about him that is not feminine, but very moving--kind of like an emo version of a typical male model. I probably enjoyed drawing him more than any other male model I've ever come across.

[japetus]

Anyways, what is it that makes a female model beautiful and artistic but yet a male model is a piece of arrogance ego and considered more as a porn picture than an art form?

I think the people that have that opinion obviously have not studied or know anything about classical art sculpture or painting. Both men and women have been used over the years, but to convey different ideas. I would disagree with you, and say that the female model is used and considered more as a porn picture than an art form in a lot of current art. In my opinion depending on if you use a male or female form, it's purpose is to convey a different meaning. The male form can be used, but not limited to, convey strength, thoughtfulness, brooding, danger, power. The female form is usually used to convey beauty, youth, love, innocence, and temptation. These are very rough generalizations, but just some thoughts of what I learned when taking art history.

I think before you get too down on why SOME people might think that, remember it's just their opinion and it's your job to make the piece speak to what you want to say. It can be very interesting to turn those notions on their head.

[ceruleanvii]

I've thought about this a lot too. I love painting figures in general but I much prefer male nudes to females. There are just so, so many endless depictions of the female body out there, it's nice to see something different once in awhile. And I do think male nudes can be just as beautiful as females, though in a different way.

Funny thing is, it's not just the guys who seem not to want to see male nudity - I see loads and loads of pretty girls/nudes/pinups that are painted by women. Well, they're definitely more popular (just check out the Popular Portfolios section of this site) and they probably do sell a lot better.

Don't know what the answer is, but I don't see things changing any time soon :) so I say paint/draw/sculpt what you like!

[pedes]

Well, women paint women because it sells better XD

Well, call me a heretic, but actually drawing a woman's body is easier, once you get the hang of general anatomy. Male body is more difficult, for the very reason that real men tend to differ A LOT in their body structure. Of course, females do too, but because of the curves and whatnot it's much easier to grasp those differences.
I myself am practicing to draw and paint male body and it can vary so much, from proprotions and bone structure, structure of the hips, chest, stomack, arms, even legs... Especially when we're talking more of a normal man then steroid-based muscle structure.

I love both female and male nude either in photography, painting, sculpture or drawing.

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.