Model Hero

Spider-Man Swings to the Rescue

THIS WEEK:

• Getting some much needed help

• “Where Are They Now?” Friendly neighbor

• “What Do You Recommend?” Mafex Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

• BEHIND THE PAY WALL: Art Model Fight, Drawing References, and BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

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Bring your friends!

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DiPerri here. When I was in college studying illustration, there was no shortage of models. I’m not talking about the professional models from our figure drawing class, which were never in short supply. I mean fellow art majors and friends who would volunteer to put themselves into all sorts of silly poses and situations in order to serve as reference for the latest illustration assignment. We had a blast modeling for each other and seeing the drawing or painting that resulted from our modeling session.

Two months after I graduated, I realized future access to models would not be so easy, now that I was off campus. The wooden mannequin desktop drawing model is universally known to be useless. It’s not agile and pretty limited in the poses it can get into. I’m sure every artist is gifted one of these by a parent or family member in high school to encourage they continue their training practice. But they’re useless. So I bought a super posable Spider-Man action figure from 2004’s Spider-Man 2.

Already a rarity in 2007, I ordered it on eBay for $28. That was a lot to me back then, especially considering the kid next to me in my sophomore dorm got his for $6 in 2004. Now you can’t get it for less than $180. The average is $250.

I’ve never regretted the purchase but sometimes I wish I’d bought two and kept one sealed in the package. With 36 points of articulation, this figure has been an invaluable tool and gotten me through many comics and illustrations since 2007 (more behind the paywall).

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This week, let’s get some much needed help.

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Here’s one from 2019 as seen on CartoonStock…

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No Spider-Men were used in the drawing of this cartoon. This is merely a re-enactment.

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I would have recommended my new drawing model, the Mafex Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, but apparently it’s selling out and where it is still available, the price is climbing quickly. This is especially suprising given it was only just released at the end of March. Shout out to Frega for pre-ordering it. I’ve already used it as reference for an upcoming illustration and am impressed with how much more agile it is and how the joint stiffness holds the pose. The 2004 model has always been loose (because it’s a toy) so maintaining precise poses has always been difficult/impossible (more behind the paywall).

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Spider-Man proves that he is the superior drawing model behind the paywall.

Plus, take a trip Back to the Drawing Board…