Typically, life models are used by painters and sculptors who create figurative paintings, drawings and sculpture. Life models are sometimes also used by photographers, but some life models choose not to undertake photographic work.

Life models are sometimes also called artists' models.

Like all modelling, life modelling is not just about sitting still, it is to realise an artist's idea with one's body. Life models need to be creative and physically fit. A good life model is able to push the boundaries of poses and inspire the artist.

Life models need to hold positions often for extended periods of time. Life modelling is a physically very demanding job, only suitable for the fit, healthy and self-disciplined.

Work includes posing for painters, sculptors, arts classes and sometimes photographers. Pay is relatively low but the job can be extremely rewarding.

In my work as a photographer, I often find that life models are more in tune with their bodies than photographic models, which enables them to express and develop my ideas better. To me, life models come much closer to the idea of an artist's muse. Much of my recent personal work was created using life models.

One of the few authoritative, if difficult to navigate, websites for life models is the Register of Artists' Models (RAM). Also worth a visit is the site of Tom and Magda, Rodinesque.com and of this muse.