The Art of Tipping

A guide to normalising tips in life drawing, from overcoming social stigmas to setting up the best zero-fee digital tipping tools for models.

Bruce Thomas

1925 words - 9 min read

The Art of Tipping

Since day one, my life drawing event has encouraged artists to tip the model. At every session, you will find a cute little pink piggy bank where you can drop some spare change, and in the break when it's time to pay, I offer the customer the opportunity of adding a tip to the transaction.

When the session starts, I introduce the model and let everyone know where to find the model's Instagram details, and the cute little pink pig. It's a pain in the ass. But I do it anyway. Why? Because I love drawing humans. I want models to keep modelling, so we can draw them forever.

I am not English. I do not understand this unspoken Victorian shame about asking for money. Tipping in the arts community carries an unnecessary social stigma. It doesn't have to, but it does. This unspoken shame affects both model and host alike. WTF!

Let's just take inventory here. The life model is a crucial element to the drawing session. As is the artist. And the host is the one that makes the whole gig possible. In London (as of 2026), the standard hourly rate for life modelling ranges between £20–£30 per hour, which I think is fair. However, I can also see how that hourly rate gets eroded by travel costs, etc.

Now the problem for me as a host is that my running costs are fixed. This makes an increase to the hourly rate unfeasible, considering the rent, materials, marketing, logistics, etc. I spend a lot of time making sure the doors open every week. And I love it. But my hourly rate is zero, with no guarantee of income. That is why I encourage tipping.

So far, in the last four years, only three life models have asked me if it is okay to request donations. THREEEEE! And the rest of you? Are you so ashamed to ask? I suspect this to be so. And to the other hosts I ask, what is going on? What is so awful about facilitating an expression of generosity? If you were posing naked for two hours, would you understand better? I suspect so.

Let's dismantle that. Let's normalise voluntary expressions of gratitude. Let's celebrate unexpected acts of kind generosity.

Normalising tips, whether dropped in a tin or sent via a QR scan, is not a compromise on paying baseline wages. It is simply an expression of gratitude for a job well done.

Recently I hosted a model, Fiona, who is the catalyst for this blog post. Fiona is a stripper; I have hosted her before. But this last time, she pinged me on the night of the session and asked if it would be okay if she could bring her own digital tip jar. I was delighted. She's entrepreneurial without a doubt.

That night, to my delight, the majority of the customers chose to leave their tip via her QR link instead of via my point-of-sale donation. OMG, what a blessing! All the headache of seperating the ticket and tip disappeared, and Fiona made an extra £17.50! I want tips to be done this way. It appeals to my laziness big time.

This guide breaks down how models and event hosts can seamlessly integrate digital tipping without awkwardness or tax headaches. Plus, let's face the reality: cash is dying. Very few people carry coins or notes anymore. If we stick strictly to the physical pink piggy bank, we are missing out on artists who would gladly tip but simply don't have the physical change on them. Going digital isn't just convenient; it's essential for survival in a increasingly cashless society.

1. For Models: You Shouldn't Feel Ashamed to Receive Tips

Asking for or accepting a tip is not begging. It is a voluntary act of appreciation from an artist who feels inspired by your poses. The people who can tip will tip. There is no pressure or guilt happening here. Those that can't, don't.

How Models Can Normalise Tipping:

• Ask the host if it's okay to display a QR code: Request that the event host set up a table display or entry station with your payment link/QR code.
• Remove the guesswork for artists: Many artists hesitate because they don't know what is socially acceptable and fear insulting you with too little. Briefly suggest a baseline—framing it as "the price of a coffee (£3–£5)" removes the anxiety and gives them a clear, low-pressure benchmark.
• Set expectations on when to tip: Ensure your QR code is clearly visible during the break or at the exit. This allows artists to scan it on their way out while packing up, reducing friction and avoiding interrupting the flow of the session.
• Keep it neutral & professional: Frame your QR code sign simply: "Tips & Gratitude (Optional)" or "Buy the model a coffee."
• Realise it costs nothing to ask: An optional tipping setup creates space for generosity without forcing anyone's hand.

2. Completing the Circle: Acknowledge Gratitude & Tag Artwork

Receiving a tip shouldn't be a one-way financial transaction. Please don't be that person who only takes. When an artist takes the extra step to tip, post their artwork, say thank you, and make it "normal". Drawing is difficult; celebrate that connection and complete the circle of gratitude. The artist will feel like a million dollars. I know, because I do! :D

How Models Can Celebrate Tipped Session Work:

• Tag the Artist on Social Media: If an artist shares a sketch or study they created during the session, re-share or tag them on Instagram, Bluesky, or your portfolio page.
• Mutual Promotion: Tagging artwork shows appreciation for the artist’s effort and gives them exposure while acknowledging their support.
• Keep the Vibe Collaborative: A quick "Thank you for the support/tip!" alongside a post or story tag reinforces that life drawing is an interaction IRL, not a transaction. It is a collision of two individuals actively engaged in the expression of Self.
• Plug your subscription platforms: Tipping doesn't just have to be a one-off donation. It is a fantastic opportunity to plug your Patreon, Ko-fi memberships, or OnlyFans. Encourage artists to support you monthly in exchange for exclusive reference photos—this is a huge part of the modern life model economy!

3. For Art Communities & Event Hosts: Tackling the Myths

Some event spaces argue against tipping, claiming it mirrors "tipping culture" where employers shirk paying fair baseline wages. This is a false equivalence. Absolute garbage!

Why Hosts Should Actively Facilitate Tipping:

• No cost or harm to your event: It costs the host nothing and does not detract from ticket sales.
• No pressure on attendees: It remains an entirely voluntary act of generosity.
• Support for model retention: Models who feel valued are far more likely to return and travel further for your session.

4. The Host's Logistical Challenge: Taxes & Ticket Platforms

Hosts face real operational headaches when handling model tips:

1. Ticket Platform Hurdles (e.g., Eventbrite): Most event booking engines do not support "untouchable" donations. Any add-on money collected through the platform is lumped into the host's gross turnover, forcing the host to record and declare it for tax purposes. In the UK, HMRC allows hosts to process tips without it artificially inflating their taxable turnover. However, there are strict rules around it. It cannot be called a 'donation', and the entire amount must pass directly through to the recipient. Under those conditions, the host will not carry any tax on that money, i.e., no 'punishment' for being kind. (Note: While the host avoids the tax burden, models must still declare tips as part of their self-employed taxable income!)

2. Direct Payment Options (e.g., Website with Stripe): Platforms like Stripe allow clear demarcation of "passed-through" donations. This lets hosts collect drop-in tips at check-in or during checkout and pass 100% of the net funds directly to the model. (I do this for online ticket purchases). Please know that you will need to distinguish the ticket value from the tip value, otherwise you will have a nightmare in your accounting.

5. Digital Tipping Platforms: Ranked by Processing Fees

This is my absolute favourite method. And this is the one I would like to migrate to. The model is 100% responsible for offering and collecting tips. To completely bypass tax tracking issues for hosts, the best method is direct peer-to-peer (P2P) transfers from the artist straight to the model's account.

Here is a breakdown of the top payment platforms ordered from lowest transaction fees (best value) to higher fee structures:

Category A: Direct Banking Apps (Best Value – 0% Fees)

These rely on simple personal QR codes or short links (e.g., monzo.me/name or revolut.me/tag). Keep in mind that personal banking links are designed for personal use; if you receive high volumes of tips, you might hit rolling limits (e.g., £1,000/month for Monzo.me) or be required to use a business account.

Personally, I cannot speak for Monzo; however, I can speak of PayPal and Revolut. I would avoid PayPal. Unless you maintain a PayPal balance, they will take their slice. Regarding Revolut (I really like this product), this is NOT a real bank account; it's more of a pay-as-you-go financial product. I mostly use it for travelling and petty cash; it's my 'budget ceiling'. I send it cash when I need to, and if it's stolen on holiday, I have no 'real' exposure. It is not linked to my current account at all.

Category B: Creator-Focused Tipping Tools (Low to Mid Fees)

These platforms are designed specifically for digital tipping and often feature creator profile pages. This is a short list of stuff I googled; there are a bunch of them. I do not use any of these, but they look credible. You will see them on Linktree pages and in bio descriptions. All I can say is ALWAYS check the transaction costs.

Summary Recommendation: For the cleanest setup, models should print out a personal Monzo or Revolut QR code on a table tent card. It removes tax accounting work for hosts while ensuring 100% of the tip lands directly in the model's account. Models can then complete the gesture by tagging tipped artwork online—making tipping a positive, mutual exchange!

And in conclusion: BEWARE of "FREE" QR code generators.

The internet is not short of charlatans. FREE QR code generators sometimes hide a relay link. What is this? It is not really a nefarious device, but it is opportunistic in nature. What happens is you enter your destination URL (e.g., Revolut), and the website gives you a QR code which you can download and print out. However, when someone scans this QR code, instead of taking you directly to the destination URL, you are redirected to a marketing page. They leverage the traffic to track the user and show them an advert or something like that before sending you on to the actual destination.

How do you know the difference? It's simple. Before you download or print the QR code, scan it. Your phone will show you the underlying URL. If it is not the one you entered, then it is a relay.

So, use the QR code that your Revolut or PayPal generates. That is one way to mitigate shenanigans. Alternatively, you can use my QR generator. This is the one I use to make the Instagram printout that I showcase when a model is visiting.

Bruce Thomas

A software engineer by profession, who studied graphic design in South Africa, and runs a weekly life drawing class in the borough of Hackney, London.

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