Nudity and The Artist

I’ll be honest—the only truly uncomfortable moment I had in my anatomy class was when a young model, seemingly there for the first time, took off her robe. I’ll never forget the tears in her eyes as the room grew instantly awkward. We all tried to keep composure, but no one said a word, and somehow we made it through the three-hour session. I'm not sure she ever came back.

I learned a lot in that class, but here's the thing: Are nude models really the only way to study anatomy? My university didn’t offer any alternatives. If I wanted to learn anatomy, I had to draw from life, and that meant a nude model. We were just expected to accept it—no discussion, no preparation, and no regard for how it might affect anyone in the room.

Most of us were still teenagers, a mix of young men and women. The assumption was that this experience would only have a positive influence on us as artists, but no one took the time to consider the emotional impact it could have.

Yes, everyone was there by consent, including the model. I could’ve dropped the class, but I was determined to learn anatomy, and this was my only option.

I finished the course a more skilled artist, but to this day, I’ve never drawn or painted a nude again, nor have I attended a live nude class since.

Fast Forward 20 Something Years. 

There's two parts to this topic:

1. The act of painting a nude.
2. Showing the nude art to the world. 

Let's focus on the second one for a moment:

What will do with your nude artwork? 

What happens in your private studio is entirely between you and God. But once you decide to show your work to the world—whether online or in public—it's no longer just about you.

Now, let’s talk about something that's unavoidable: porn.

In the years since I was in university, porn has become everywhere and shockingly accessible.

Yes, I went straight there.

The easy access to porn makes the conversation about painting nudes much more complicated today. With images flooding the internet, it’s harder than ever to draw clear lines between art and something much more dangerous.

Why Did I Make the Leap from Nudes to Porn? 

Nudes are a gateway.

There was a time when simply seeing a beautiful nude could be considered porn. Today, we only label it as porn when it becomes erotic. But what does “erotic” really mean? Where do we draw the line?

As a mom of three boys, I spent years homeschooling and researching internet safety, especially when it comes to porn and online sexuality. I learned something important: men and boys are much more susceptible to porn than women.

It only takes a single nude image to flash before a young boy’s eyes to spark curiosity. And where do they go next? The internet. Even the best firewalls set up by parents aren’t always enough to protect them.

As a woman artist, I have to consider something significant: many people who view nude art can be negatively impacted by it. In some cases, it can ruin lives.

Did you know that a preteen boy exposed to porn can suffer from lifelong brain damage?

As a woman, I view nude art through a different lens than men do. And for some, simply seeing any form of nudity can trigger lust. So, I ask myself: Do I want to be the one responsible for leading someone down a path toward sexual sin and shame?

My hope and prayer is that, one day, pornography in all forms will cease to exist. I earnestly pray that anyone reading this feels strongly convicted of their desire to paint and share the nude form as art.

Therefore let us not judge one another "anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way." Romans 14:13

We are also called to think about what is good and pure and right [Phil 4:8]

Yes the body is beautiful but it is sacred.

God covered us in His glory when He created us. In the beginning, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed before God—just as a bride and bridegroom stand before each other today.

When God created animals, He gave them coverings—fur, feathers, and more.

But with humanity, He clothed us in His glory.

While Scripture doesn’t directly address this, there are powerful teachings suggesting that Adam and Eve were covered in light, in God's glory, before the fall.

Yes, Adam and Eve were naked and unashamed. But after the fall, their awareness of their nakedness changed instantly, even though it was still just the two of them. Something had shifted. God's glory no longer covered them. And it would be naive to think that this doesn’t matter. God's response was not to uncover them and assert the dignity of the human form, but provide a covering.

“Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin and clothed them ” (Genesis 3:21).

As an expression of His love and a sign of His protection and grace God killed an animal and clothed Adam and Eve in tunics of skin after the fall. 

God Himself wanted us covered for our earthly journey. And that alone should be enough for us.

Garments

As we read through the Bible, we see that God covers us in different ways and for various purposes as the story unfolds.

Garments are mentioned throughout Scripture, sometimes metaphorically, all the way into the book of Revelation.

"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see."  Revelation 3:18

The study of garments in Scripture is full of wisdom and insight.

Nakedness

Leviticus offers clear warnings about uncovering the nakedness of others.

"None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness." Leviticus 18:6-7

In the story of Noah, we see him found naked on his bed after drinking too much. It was a moment of disrespect—not only for those who witnessed it, but also for Noah, who allowed it to happen.

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and other passages connect nakedness with shame, particularly outside the marriage relationship.

This question arises because modern day christians often tries to rationalize things based on culture. We tend to mix worldly views with the teachings of Scripture.

"Nudity has been painted for centuries, so it must be okay."
"I'm fine with nudity; it doesn't lead me to porn, so it’s okay."
"It helps us understand that nudity and sexuality are not the same thing."

And so the reasoning continues.

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..." 1 Corinthians 10:4-5

Scripture doesn't talk a lot about nudity, certainly not about nudity in art. But it does tell us to not be naked. The nude human form is not sinful in itself or sinful to be viewed in certain circumstances (marriage). 
 

But We Live Under Grace

One last argument I have heard is "But shame from nudity came with the fall and we are redeemed by Grace therefore the OT doesn't apply."

I am so thankful that we live in the age of Grace. But we have to remember we are still living in an unredeemed world and our body is also unredeemed. Our bodies are still gentically related to Adam and we cannot take these bodes to heaven, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50).

Paul tells us to not use grace as a means to sin. 

"What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!" Romans 6:15

So if God has not released us from the shame of nakedness while still in this world, we can conclude that we are not yet covered in our new garments and cannot be naked in the world and not ashamed. 

The wonderful thing about grace is that we can repent and be forgiven when we recognize we are wrong or have done something wrong. As I mentioned, I participated in nude art classes. But I no long do that.

I've also unwillingly seen nudity online. I block accounts that show nudity to me and I don't feel shame. Seeing it was not my choice. 

When I was putting filters on my kids devices I tested the filters and at that point had to willingly google terms to see if the filters worked. A few times I saw obscene things but I do not believe it was wrong as I was setting up safeties for my family and it didn't cause me sin. 

I also believe there are times for dignified nudity such as medical purposes. 

Those examples all illustrate the power of believers living under grace. 

So, if painting nudes is wrong, how do we learn anatomy?

It's simple: Put clothes on the model. A bathing suit will do. 

(we are not studying to be doctors)

Exploring the subject of painting nudes asks us to weigh the sanctity of the body alongside the influence our art might carry.

The body is beautiful, but it’s also sacred, and scripture consistently reminds us to honor that sacredness. Let’s create art that uplifts, inspires, and reflects what is pure and good. Got thoughts? Let’s keep this conversation going!

Stay Bold,

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