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Product Description
Product Description
In this innovative guide, master art instructor William Maughan demonstrates how to create a realistic human likeness by using the classic and highly accurate modelling technique of chiaroscuro developed by Leonardo daVinci during the High Renaissance. Maughan first introduces readers to the basics of this centuries-old technique, showing how to analyse form, light and shadow; use dark pencil, white pencil and toned paper to create full range of values; use the elements of design to enhance likeness; and capture a sitter's gestures and proportions. He then demonstrates, step by step, how to draw each facial feature, develop visual awareness and render the head in colour with soft pastels.
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First Sentence
When drawing a portrait, you are creating an illusion. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
When drawing a portrait, you are creating an illusion. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
56 of 56 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have many books on this subject, but this is by far the best. It is lavishly illustrated throughout, with page after page of delightfully competent examples by Maughan, demonstrating every aspect of the skill.
Maughan begins by explaining his methods and preferred materials. The Carbothello pencils he uses are wonderful to draw with. He moves on to explain chiaroscuro, value, form, shadow and so on, all of which I recommend you read thoroughly before taking on his extensive chapters on the subject of drawing the head.
He deals with the subject in ample detail, and to his credit he writes very well too. There is a lot to read but every word of it is useful. His examples (and there are very many) are not the unusably rough pieces found in other books, but are in large scale, often in close-up and annotated, so you can really see in detail what he's doing and how he does it. He also rather cleverly provides equally high quality examples of how NOT to draw - for example, showing what happens when the proportions are incorrect or the lighting is poor. You could use this book to merely ape the Maughan style, but I believe it has much more value than that if you take the time to understand his methods and apply them to your work.
Often with such books, the benefit you derive from them depends to some extent on whether you like the artistic style of the author. I happen to like it, but even if you don't, Maughan's tremendous skill and understanding of his subject is such that it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to learn from him. This book has improved my skill greatly.
Even if you don't draw, the book makes an excellent coffee table piece.
I've had my copy from Amazon for while, but at time of writing (21 Mar 2006) the price is an absolute bargain at £12.89.
Maughan begins by explaining his methods and preferred materials. The Carbothello pencils he uses are wonderful to draw with. He moves on to explain chiaroscuro, value, form, shadow and so on, all of which I recommend you read thoroughly before taking on his extensive chapters on the subject of drawing the head.
He deals with the subject in ample detail, and to his credit he writes very well too. There is a lot to read but every word of it is useful. His examples (and there are very many) are not the unusably rough pieces found in other books, but are in large scale, often in close-up and annotated, so you can really see in detail what he's doing and how he does it. He also rather cleverly provides equally high quality examples of how NOT to draw - for example, showing what happens when the proportions are incorrect or the lighting is poor. You could use this book to merely ape the Maughan style, but I believe it has much more value than that if you take the time to understand his methods and apply them to your work.
Often with such books, the benefit you derive from them depends to some extent on whether you like the artistic style of the author. I happen to like it, but even if you don't, Maughan's tremendous skill and understanding of his subject is such that it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to learn from him. This book has improved my skill greatly.
Even if you don't draw, the book makes an excellent coffee table piece.
I've had my copy from Amazon for while, but at time of writing (21 Mar 2006) the price is an absolute bargain at £12.89.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I recieved this book for Christmas this year and this has been top of my wanted list for ages:
Simply the best art book I've ever laid eyes on!
I can't say more than that, bar 6 stars wouldn't do it justice. Amazing artwork, clearly explained chapters. It almost forces you to grab pencil and paper and create yourself!
Worth every penny! Wonderful book!
Simply the best art book I've ever laid eyes on!
I can't say more than that, bar 6 stars wouldn't do it justice. Amazing artwork, clearly explained chapters. It almost forces you to grab pencil and paper and create yourself!
Worth every penny! Wonderful book!
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have quite a collection of art books and videos, but for portrait drawing this is easily the best. The chiaroscuro technique Maughan demonstrates is a well regarded classical technique that yields beautiful results. Although the book is all about portraits, the principles are relevant whatever you are drawing, and since tonal value is the one thing that must be right for realist paintings, it is a good basis for painting, too.
The final part of the book is about colour, and using pastels, and here it is more a matter of taste - and certainly not mine, I'm not into green faces etc. There are better books (and websites) on colour theory than this. However, it is only a fairly short final chapter, and easily forgiven for the excellence of the rest.
One issue was getting the materials in the UK. I have now had the book for two years, but never been able to follow him exactly. He uses a carefully chosen tone of paper that is halfway between the dark sanguine pencil and the white pencil that he uses, which is Strathmore 500 charcoal paper in Velvet gray. Unfortunately, this isn't available in this country - or wasn't until now. I have just discovered that Castle Hill crafts in Stroud have started importing it, so have put in an order for some (I'm not associated with them, just delighted that we can finally get all the materials).
The final part of the book is about colour, and using pastels, and here it is more a matter of taste - and certainly not mine, I'm not into green faces etc. There are better books (and websites) on colour theory than this. However, it is only a fairly short final chapter, and easily forgiven for the excellence of the rest.
One issue was getting the materials in the UK. I have now had the book for two years, but never been able to follow him exactly. He uses a carefully chosen tone of paper that is halfway between the dark sanguine pencil and the white pencil that he uses, which is Strathmore 500 charcoal paper in Velvet gray. Unfortunately, this isn't available in this country - or wasn't until now. I have just discovered that Castle Hill crafts in Stroud have started importing it, so have put in an order for some (I'm not associated with them, just delighted that we can finally get all the materials).
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent!
This book is truly excellent. Many books about drawing are more like a show off of the artist's work. That is definitely not the case here. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sphinx
drawing the head
The book is the best book I have seen regards to drawing the face useing the shadows of the form (face). this form of art work was created by Leonardow da Vinci in the 15 century. Read more
Published 1 month ago by phils art
Best book on the subject!
I bought this book a year ago and I cannot stress the impact it has had on my drawing ability. This book has made a huge impact on my portraiture skills, so much so I can see a... Read more
Published 5 months ago by discerningaye
Some good stuff but will you remember it?
I wanted to learn from this book but Mr Maughan should remember 'never to use a long word when a short one will do' - I'm afraid a lot of the advice is impossible to recall. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Mr. N. Parkes
Wonderful book
As an art student wanting to improve on my skills, I purchased this book and was extremely encouraged when I learned new things by merely flicking through the pages! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Bookworm
Not my favorite
This book is pretty good, but I would not give it to a young kid just cos of the weird deformed drawings section in there. Read more
Published 16 months ago by cato
This will help you in all areas of drawing
I wanted to improve my portrait drawing skills, it seems that's one of the only part I can't get myself to draw properly. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Steven C
Recommend without hesitation
This book is very useful.
It really demonstrates how a good portrait is composed of lights and shades,
but not artificial outlines; for instance, the image of a... Read more
It really demonstrates how a good portrait is composed of lights and shades,
but not artificial outlines; for instance, the image of a... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Tryggvi EDWALD
Buying pleasure
Through the whole process of first locating the book, the price, the immediate availability and the extremely fast delivery, I can only say "Thank you for an excellent end to end... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mr. Frank Wells
WOW!
It's tempting to use a lot of words on this review, but if you are serious on drawing. Buy this book! Read more
Published on 6 May 2009 by T. B. Eckhoff
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