Figure Drawing: "Nude" Vs "Naked"

You might not know, but there is a difference between the terms, "nude" and "naked." I didn't when I started drawing in classes, or even modeling for them.

When I began modeling, I thought simply that a model without clothes on is a naked human. Just as we call ourselves whenever we undress. When we dash into the changing room or take a shower, we are naked.

So why do we use a different term during drawing classes and when speaking about art? In art, a human body without clothing or drapery, is called "nude." By using this term, we remove the emotional or sexual context that the term, "naked" has attached to it. By using the term, "nude," we are now being objective about the subject, therefore able to assess form, structure, light, shadow, and more aspects within the artist focus.

Why then, if advertising and marketing is a form of art, do you use the term, "naked?" Because marketing requires emotion to sell. They want to engage you emotionally in order to be persuasive with their products.

So the next time you speak about art, or attend a drawing class, remember to use the correct term, "nude" when referring to form and figure.