“I wish I had known how much I was going to enjoy it, because If I had, I would have started modelling thirty years ago!”

Julian Lewis is a professional male life model located in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. He travels across the United Kingdom—and internationally— to perform challenging poses. Lewis started modeling three years ago to earn extra cash and then discovered a new passion.

Working with different artists helped him fall in love with this career and his body. Not only he learned more about his own anatomy and developed muscles holding different poses, now he also studies and works hard to provide the best experience for artists. Julian listens to artist’s directions and requests, owns props —from a rotating stool to a crucifixion cross— he can bring to studios, and assures the audience the discretion needed following a dressing and undressing protocol. 

Photography shared by model Julian Lewis

In this Q&A art model Julian Lewis shares with PoseSpace hilarious anecdotes, how he manages his time, about Hen and Stag Parties with life models, as well as great recommendations to anyone who wants to become a figure model: 

Can you tell us about your background and how you got into modeling?

 I have been modelling for 3 years, and decided to do it because I needed cash to market my wine business. I had no idea how much I would enjoy it, and now I am pretty much full time, modelling across the UK for Schools, Colleges, Universities, Ateliers, Studios, private groups and Hen parties. In the autumn, I will model in Florence and Paris. I made the decision to Life model as I am body confident, and being body confident, nude that is, is the most important factor if you want to get regular work.

You also work in the IT sector and host wine tastings, how do you combine these careers?

It is hard. I spend 32 hours a week in my IT job, 10 hours a  month conducting wine tastings, and 15 hours a week life modelling. I am also writing a book on the subject, it will be released in December, either by Kindle Direct/Amazon or a London publisher. 

Has your perception of the human body or your own body changed after modeling for artists? 

My perception has changed massively. I believe any human form is beautiful. Regarding my body, I have learnt how to manage pain effectively by simply meditating and moving in centimetres. It is astonishing how easy it is to manage pain with the brain.

Do you have any interesting/funny/scary anecdotes you could share with us?

  • I model for actresses, best selling authors and TV personalities… You never know who is going to employ you!
  • I once modelled in the same pose for 2 hours, forgot about my dead foot when I got out of the pose, so fell straight into the ladies in front of me. Fortunately, no one was hurt except my pride.
  • I also broke wind on my third life modelling gig —highly embarrassing—, but I got over it!
  • I have modelled for the World cup winning England women’s Rugby Team and a very famous English TV presenter

What are the most valuable lessons you have learned as a figure model?

  • Your body can do things you previously thought impossible!
  • Artists/Tutors will afford you levels of gratitude that you have never received from any previous employee.
  • I have a deep appreciation of art which I was previously uninterested in. 
  • Life Modelling will raise your confidence hugely. 

Modeling requires body strength and you mentioned you always leave the studio exhausted, what do you do to stay in shape?

I frequent the gym about 3 times a week, take long walks and cycle long distances. I stretch every day in the shower, but because I model so much, my core strength is very high. 

Are you surprised by anything revealed in the artwork about yourself that you never realized as seen through someone else’s eyes?

I am amazed at every drawing I see. I marvel at the ability of most artists and the facial expressions that are drawn can be staggering. I didn’t realise that I have quite good muscle definition.

Could you tell us more about the Hen and Stag Parties? 

Hen and Stag parties are very popular in the UK. They last about an hour and a half, are attended on average by between 12 and 30 Hens/Stags. After the initial surprise of seeing a nude male/female, the Stags and Hens really try and mostly achieve very good drawings. There will always be a couple of people who see it as simply titillating, but they are very much in the minority. Many Hens and Stags go on to take up life drawing as a hobby, and quite a few Hens have asked me to help them get work as a life model.

In the UK, the market for strippers, pole dancers, and butlers in the buff is dying… The market for life drawing at Hen events is growing massively and has been the subject of national press and the TV. I have been recently filmed modelling at a Hen party and the TV program will air in February. Anyone who wishes to attend Hen Life drawing parties should expect to see a professional life model perform exactly how he/she does in the studio. 

What do you think of www.posespace.com?

Posespace is excellent and is used by many of the Sculpture classes that I model for, when I of course cannot model. The results are excellent and you have a very good reputation in the UK. Your models are well photographed in interesting poses. We have nothing quite like it here.

Is there something you wish you knew before you started this career?

 Only that sadly, Artists/Tutors can still be very rude, ignorant and arrogant toward the model. Fortunately, these rude people represent about 1% of all people that I have worked for. Also, I wish I had known how much I was going to enjoy it, because If I had, I would have started modelling thirty years ago!


At PoseSpace we frequently receive messages from people who want to become art models but are scared or don’t know how to start this career. What would you recommend to them? 

To those who are considering Life Modelling, but need to take the leap of faith – do it!— you will not regret it and will probably wish you had done it some 25 years earlier (I do)! As a life model your confidence will rise dramatically and quickly. You will meet the most interesting people on the planet, even if they are a bit bonkers. You will delight in their kindness, support, gratitude, sincerity, and generosity. You will revel in their enthusiasm, passion and self – effacement. The only “must-have” you need is that you must be 100% body confident- not in terms of how you look, but in terms of being comfortable naked.

Oh, and you will get fit!

Getting work can take time, if you really want to do it, you will get work. But make it easy for yourself. Get a proper CV that is only about modelling. Get a business card, issue receipts, get a robe, use it, and always, always be on time. Work will follow. Email Art groups, schools, colleges and universities… If they say no, ignore and try again in a few weeks. 

Julian Lewis website: https://uklifemodel.com/

Interview by Andrea Miliani

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1 Comment

  1. I would like to get in touch with Julian as I am also a life-model. But the site you give isn’t working. Can you help?

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