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Many of us want to learn "how to draw." But as artist Anthony Ryder explains, it's much more important to learn what to draw. In other words, to observe and draw what we actually see, rather than what we think we see. When it comes to drawing the human figure, this means letting go of learned ideas and expectation of what the figure should look like. It means carefully observing the interplay of form and light, shape and line, that combine to create the actual appearance of human form. In "The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing," amateur and experienced artists alike are guided toward this new way of seeing and drawing the figure with a three-step drawing method.
The book's progressive course starts with the block-in, an exercise in seeing and establishing the figure's shape. It then build to the contour, a refined line drawing that represents the figure's silhouette. The last step is tonal work on the inside of the contour, when light and shadow are shaped to create the illusion of form. Separate chapters explore topics critical to the method: gesture, which expresses a sense of living energy to the figure; light, which largely determines how we see the model; and form, which conveys the figure's volume and mass. Examples, step-by-steps, and special "tips" offer helpful hints and practical guidance throughout.
Lavishly illustrated with the author's stunning artwork, "The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing" combines solid instruction with thoughtful meditations on the art of drawing, to both instruct and inspire artists of all levels.
The book's progressive course starts with the block-in, an exercise in seeing and establishing the figure's shape. It then build to the contour, a refined line drawing that represents the figure's silhouette. The last step is tonal work on the inside of the contour, when light and shadow are shaped to create the illusion of form. Separate chapters explore topics critical to the method: gesture, which expresses a sense of living energy to the figure; light, which largely determines how we see the model; and form, which conveys the figure's volume and mass. Examples, step-by-steps, and special "tips" offer helpful hints and practical guidance throughout.
Lavishly illustrated with the author's stunning artwork, "The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing" combines solid instruction with thoughtful meditations on the art of drawing, to both instruct and inspire artists of all levels.
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First Sentence
LEARNING TO DRAW is like learning a new language. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
LEARNING TO DRAW is like learning a new language. Read the first page
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Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book on the subject,
By
This review is from: The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing (Paperback)
I've had the book for a couple of weeks now, have read all of the text and am still studying the illustrations. This isn't a drawing primer, there's none of that, 'now draw a sphere' sort of thing, you are expected to know something abut drawing or endure a steep learning curve, having said that though, please do read on.Before I bought this book I was a 'smudger' shifting the graphite around the page using a tortillon with all the disadvantages of trying to find the 'right' paper and being unable to correct mistakes. The cross-hatching method can be used on a variety of papers, but I would recommend anyone starting drawing to use one that will take a lot of erasing, a Bristol Board or Fabriano 5 being amongst the best. The illustrations in the book are not of the self congratulatory kind, each complete work is broken down into a series of detailed close ups. By studying these you can make out the actual marks on the paper and see properly how the contours are achieved. When I first started drawing I found myself very timid at making my marks with the inevitable result; a wishy washy drawing! Anthony's book gives you the permission you need to make deep black marks, to use edges for shadows and to make bold white highlights. The text gives an insight not only into the technique of drawing but also how Anthony feels about it. His feeling of absolute joy at a perfect curve comes across very strongly and is an inspiration to the reader, I feel as though I have found a friend. Cross-hatching is more difficult than 'smudging' no doubt about that, but, I can say that after finishing one image and being half way through another it's going to be my preferred method of drawing. I only wish that I'd seen the book earlier and used the technique from the start.
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Full of helpful techniques, but perhaps not for everyone,
By
This review is from: The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing (Paperback)
This book is full of sound advice. Whilst it is definitely worth a read through, one thing it lacks is an encouragement to develop a variety of approaches to drawing the figure. It provides a single step by step method, which whilst undoubtedly effective, has little room for exploration or development of style (which, for a instructional book may be seen by some as a good thing). At times, his attitude is slightly closed-minded - it seems he thinks his way is the one and only way.
Ryder is clearly very set in his ways for good reason (his illustrations throughout are beautiful), however the book seems to assume that the reader will have access to a model in the same position for very extended periods of time. Ryder explains he spends many hours on each drawing, and his methods reflect this. As a university student limited to weekly 2 hour sessions and with the longest pose held for a mere twenty minutes, the process of 'blocking in' is too time consuming to be of much use to me. Essentially, this book is a good guide if you are looking to spend large chunks of time creating highly accurate and detailed drawings. Certainly, some techniques can be lifted from the process and used as methods on their own. I would not, however, recommend it to those who are more interested in (or limited to) figure drawings with a limited duration or to those who prefer a bit more flexibility to allow an individual style.
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing: A Contemporar,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing (Paperback)
I have collected numerous books about drawing and in particular quite a few on anatomy for artists in several languages as I like to see how other countries teach and expose exemplary works in various genre. This one became immediately a favorite. It goes into much detail, without necessarily calling body parts, to show an artist who might already be drawing well, how to deepen one's understanding of the mechanical process and reach museum quality results in their upcoming works. It is especially nice for artists who do not expect to (1)be in the proximity of a venerable institution such as 'the League'; (2) have access to personal mentor of this caliber; or (3) afford fancy workshops-or Tony Ryder's course in France. Artists in the boonies should run not walk to get a copy. It is well written, with humour as well as precision. There are so many books on the market for beginning artists; I find this personally well received for either advanced artists or serious aspirants thereof, who as I, think there is seldom anything more beautiful than a seemingly simple but well-executed drawing. I think artists will want to read it from cover to cover in one sitting (perhaps as I, while still in the bookstore). It may,in years to come, turn into one of those texts that people are always trying to get their hands on a copy. Even gallery owners and admirers of beautiful works on paper who don't practice art themselves per se can enlighten their appreciation. This is the kind of book some artists might not want to show their artist friends--like those surprisingly revealed in David Hockney's book!
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