By Christine R. Walsh

Many things come to mind when the word “nude” is tossed around. It’s an intriguing ice breaker because all sorts of lovely, sensual and beautiful images pour into the mind. Some of us are scared of the concept of nudity – our thighs, we feel, are too big, our shoulders too skinny, our feet too weird. But there are a few artists who work with nude models on a near daily basis and find the beauty of every curve, wrinkle and beauty mark.

Worcester’s Allie Bombz and Framingham’s Payal Kripalani use paint to bring their nude models to life on the canvas. Scott Erb, also from Worcester and a familiar name here in the city, uses lenses and lighting to extenuate the gorgeousness. All three of them came into the profession through schooling, but they navigate the rough and stormy seas of art with different outlooks and inspirations.

Both Bombz and Kripalani were introduced to nudes through classes in high school and college. Kripalani, 30, was excited to have the opportunity to paint the naked human form, as she had always found it beautiful. Bombz, who declares himself to be thirty-something, was struck with other emotions when painting his first nude.

“This naked girl walked into the class,” laughs Bombz, recalling the day. “I was like, ‘Word.’”

Erb, 37, was in school for photography, taking classes on portrait taking and still photography. Nude photography was simply par for the course, Erb says, and once he took his first class, he immediately was drawn to the art form.

“The first time I approached a model,” Erb recalls, “[The model] was also a fellow classmate. I asked her to pose nude, she asked to keep her leotard on and I said sure. It came out great. Over time, we were working together and she became more comfortable with me and we moved on to nude shots.”

While dealing with models’ varying comfort zones, the artists have different styles and techniques that bring out the inner beauty in their subjects. Bombz admits to a little bit of sweet talking and says it never hurts to have a bottle of wine on hand. Kripalani says that she has never had any bad experiences with the models and hardly ever detects even a hint of nervousness in those posing for the paint brush. And Erb says that his professionalism has always helped lead the way.

“When [I’m] with someone who is undressed,” says Erb, “I treat them the same way I would treat anyone else. You always look people in the eye. You’re not staring at their body. When I’m looking at them, I’m not thinking, ‘Oh there’s a nude body.’ I’m thinking about lighting and how they look.”

Nude painting and nude photography is not simply about grabbing the first attractive naked person you see and hoping you can catch his or her essence. Often times, as all artists attested to, there is a very clear concept that comes first. After the concept is properly formed, then a model is sought.

Bombz approaches his female subjects with care and compassion and makes the model feel like part of a creation and not just another body.

“I’ll show them some of my work and I will tell them about my concept,” he says. “I always have a concept before I paint. It’s not like, ‘Hey, I want to see your ass.’”

And for those of us who may want to take up nude photography or painting, these Worcester area artists have some wonderful advice.

“I think the best way to begin is to start sketching,” advises Kripalani. “Practicing regularly can help you master the form. And if you cannot find a model, there are come great books on anatomy and the human body that can really help you learn how to draw and paint nudes.”

Bombz agrees that education is a great way to hone your skills.

“Take a class in it. And don’t just stick with your typical drawing 101,” says Bombz. “Take a class that is about real art. Not just drawing pears. And if you want to really support art, buy art from a real artist.”

For more information on these amazing artist and to see their work, check out their websites: