Purpose of this document
This document outlines Drawversity’s expectations for tutors, facilitators, and session leaders when working with life models of colour. It exists to ensure sessions are ethical, culturally aware, and professionally run, and that models are supported, respected, and safeguarded within the space.
Life drawing environments are often predominately white and middle-class. While usually well-intentioned, this can create moments of unconscious bias, exoticism, or othering — particularly for models of colour. As tutors, you hold a position of authority within the room, and your framing, language, and decisions directly shape the experience of the model.
Power dynamics & duty of care
Life drawing sessions involve inherent power imbalances:
• Tutors hold authority over the room
• Students hold collective gaze
• Models provide embodied labour, often nude and isolated
Tutors must actively recognise and mitigate these dynamics by:
• Prioritising the model’s autonomy
• Ensuring consent is informed, ongoing, and revocable
• Intervening where behaviour risks harm, discomfort, or exploitation
Safeguarding is an active responsibility, not a reactive one.
Cultural awareness & representation
Tutors must be mindful that models are individuals, not symbols, references, or cultural stand-ins.
Requests relating to race, culture, or “tradition”
Requests for models of colour to wear “traditional”, “ethnic”, or culturally specific clothing should never be assumed, imposed, or framed as neutral.
Before making such a request, tutors should ask themselves:
• Would I make this request of a white model?
• Am I drawing from research or from stereotype?
• Who does this request serve — the learning outcomes or an aesthetic curiosity?
• Is the model being placed in a position of cultural performance?
Best practice:
• Discuss intentions with the model well in advance
• Be prepared for the model to decline without explanation
• Offer neutral alternatives
• Centre collaboration, not expectation
Models are not responsible for educating the room or representing an entire culture.
Referencing historical artists & ethical context
When referencing artists from history, particularly those who depicted people of colour, tutors must consider the ethical and historical context of the work.
Tutors are expected to:
• Undertake appropriate research into the artist’s practices and power dynamics
• Consider whether subjects of colour had agency or were objectified or fetishised
• Avoid recreating imagery that reproduces historical harm or erasure
Where problematic histories exist, tutors should:
• Name and contextualise them openly
• Adapt references to centre contemporary ethics and autonomy
• Avoid placing models in positions that replicate harm
If an artist’s work raises ethical concerns, tutors should:
• Acknowledge this openly
• Avoid recreating imagery that reproduces harm
• Adapt references in ways that centre autonomy and contemporary values
It is not appropriate to ask models to embody historically oppressive imagery or reenact work that historically erased the agency of its subjects without thoughtful discussion and consent.
Professional boundaries & consent
Consent is ongoing and may be withdrawn at any point.
Tutors must:
• Never pressure a model into a pose, costume, concept, or narrative
• Respect a model’s right to refuse without justification
• Support models if boundaries are challenged by students
• Intervene promptly if inappropriate language, behaviour, or requests occur
Silence or hesitation should not be interpreted as consent. Consent must be actively maintained throughout the session.
Photography & image use
Photography is not an automatic or implied part of life drawing sessions.
Key principles:
• A model’s image is their livelihood
• Photography is a separate, chargeable service
• Permission must be obtained in advance, not in the moment
• If photograph are taken due to poor eyesight, all images should be deleted at the end of the session and this should be shown to the model.
In-session photography
• No photographs may be taken unless explicitly agreed beforehand
• Tutors are responsible for enforcing this boundary
• Students must not photograph their work while the model is nude or in pose
• Any breaches should be addressed immediately
Paid photography
• Reference images: typically £10 per image (clothed)
• Nude photography is optional and may be refused or charged at a higher rate
• Promotional photography must be booked as a photographed event
– £100 per hour
– images reviewed and approved by the model prior to public use
Managing concerns, boundaries & incidents
Tutors are expected to:
• Respond promptly to boundary breaches or inappropriate behaviour
• Clearly communicate boundaries to students at the start of sessions
• Support models in the moment – Actively safeguard models’ dignity and autonomy
• Remove or challenge behaviour that risks harm
• Practice respectful language and behaviour at all times
Safeguarding concerns may include:
• Sexualised or fetishising language
• Racialised commentary or othering
• Coercion, pressure, or dismissal of boundaries
• Unauthorised photography or recording
Concerns should be taken seriously regardless of perceived intent.
Final Note
Drawversity values collaboration, curiosity, and artistic exploration — but never at the expense of a model’s autonomy, safety, or cultural dignity. These guidelines are not about limiting creativity; they are about ensuring ethical practice, mutual respect, and professionalism in shared creative spaces.
Thank you for contributing to a culture where models are not only drawn from, but cared for.
Be sure to read and share: Drawversity Safeguarding & Professional Boundaries for Life Models
Jade Hylton 
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