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Anatomy for the Artist is like having your own life-drawing studio in the privacy of your home. Carefully constructed photographs of the human form allow you to see the structure and function of the skeleton and main muscle groups. Six imaginative drawing lessons, each supported with photography, show how to portray the bones, head, rib cage, pelvis, hands, and feet in perspective, from different angles, both in still poses and in movement.
Book Description
In Anatomy for the Artist, acclaimed artist and teacher Sarah Simblet unveils the extraordinary construction of the human body, and celebrates its continual prominence in Western Art.
The transparent body. Using superb, specially commissioned photographs of male and female models, together with historical and contemporary works of art, and her own illustrations, Sarah shows us how to see inside the human frame, to map its muscle groups, skeletal strength, balance, poise, and grace. Selected drawing superimposed over photographs reveal fascinating relationships between external appearance and internal structure.
Drawing from life. Six drawing classes guide the reader to see the human body afresh, offering techniques and attitudes that imaginatively show how to view and draw the skeleton, head, ribcage, pelvis, hands, and feet.
Dissecting the Masters. By investigating ten Masterworks, the author demonstrates different artist's ideas and knowledge across time, ranging from Holbein's Christ Entombed, to Edward Hopper's Hotel Room. Each Masterclass presents a photographed model set in the same pose, so that anatomical comparisons can be made. Understanding anatomy is often the key to an artist's understanding and interpretation of the body. This imaginative modern reference book will enhance the drawing and painting techniques of artists at every level.
Customer Reviews:
An Excellent Reference for the Novice or Intermediate Artist.......2007-09-30
"Anatomy for the Artist" is an impressive reference guide for those artists looking for a helpful leap into the world of anatomy. This book is full of high-quality, tasteful nude photographs (most in black and white, some in color) of a variety of models that will provide great insight into how best to acurately portray the human body as a whole, as well as parts of the body in particular.
"Anatomy for the Artist" is, helpfully, divided into segments - upper torseo, lower torso, upper arms, lower arms, thighs, legs, etc. - and focuses on each part in particular in an unhurried, elegant manner. Many sections of photographs are accompanied by translucent overlays that illustrate the muscular/skeletal structure beneath the skin of the models (there are pencil sketches, largely). Additionally, classic paintings of note are presented next to models taking the pose of the subjects in the painting and deconstructing how the artist extrapolated their models' positions into their finished pieces; this I found especially enlightening. It appears that no expense was spared in the production of this book. I found its section of the upper torso, the forearm, and the legs most helpful to me, and I don't doubt that many artists will find much of this book illuminating and revealing.
However, this book is certainly not perfect. There are some poses and angles that I would have liked to have seen (for instance, more examples of the back of the upper torso; more three-quarters views, as the book seems to focus on side and full views mostly). Also, while the compartmentaliztion of different body parts into different chapters is helpful in most ways, the segregation of the upper and lower portions of the arms and legs will force you to flip back and forth in the book whem trying to make an accurate rendering, which may get tiresome. Overall, however, this is a superb book to learn and sketch from. Recommended.
Amazing art book.......2007-09-14
Finally, an anatomy book for artists that's not too technical in nature. It's more about art, just with the basic structures you need to be aware of to create more lifelike work.
There are tons of photos to work from, since most of us don't have live models around.
The best feature of the book is the overlay pages. There are pages in the book of clear plastic with the underlying structures of the body printed on them. You turn these pages over photos of the body and see how the underlying structures affect the shading, lines, and movement of the figure. It's fantastic.
Good reference book.......2007-05-14
Great photographic reference for any artist, especially for those working in digital medium. It will not substitute for a traditional anatomy book with drawings, but great as a supplement for realistic depiction of human body.
Best book ever!.......2007-04-11
This book is amazing, I love it, so worth the money. if you are into art, then this is a book to have in your collection!
If you draw figures you must have this book!.......2007-03-26
This book is an absolute must for anyone who does figure drawing. The photographs are wonderful and offer a range of figures in various types of poses and lighting. I have a friend in drawing class who purchsed this book so I was able to look at it first hand before I bought it. I came home and ordered it that very day. It is that good.
Customer Reviews:
Analysis is great.......2007-10-03
I like that he has a full page to show the drawing and on the facing page he has a smaller version with commentary. He places capital letters on the drawing so you can see exactly which line or shape he is discussing.
Definative.......2007-07-13
Robert Beverly Hale was one of the masters in teaching figure drawing. A must for serious students of figure painting.
Not written by an artist..........2007-05-08
Although this is one of the best compilation books of old master drawings
available on the common market, I would not put too much stock in what
the author says. The author is correct in saying that many of these
great artists had to learn and understand anatomy in order to "make it up"
(e.g., a figure of a rearing horse drawn by Titian, impossible to be
taken from life), but he goes overboard in trying to get the student to
learn about anatomy. For example, he says "Please buy some bones". That's right--the way to paint like Rubens is to...buy some bones. I don't think so. Even if you learned how to draw the figure well, after perhaps 10 years, you'd still have to tackle drapery and then learn how to compose your figures in a painting and, well, be an artist. I have learned after much figure drawing study that after a while, "studies are
useless" (Rubens said that also). It is better for the true artist to simply plan painting after painting, and ignore all this wasteful "study effort" as if art is a science. This is not to say any knowledge of anatomy is bad. But you need to know only as much as it takes to know that
a head looks too big, or a shoulder "doesn't look right", esp. if you are already working from life. I have studied anatomy and tried to draw from my memory, and although my drawings have all the attendant parts, you cannot "guess" at how the aspect of a vastus medialis changes when it is in 10 different positions. It's much easier and quicker simply to draw a model from life--it will look more correct, even WITHOUT a knowledge of anatomy. And if you are a figurative artist, you may even want to "clothe" your figures at some point (Watteau made a name for himself for knowing how to do just that) so knowledge of anatomy, although not to be entirely discounted, should run second to drawing from life, having artistic vision, and working on a plan to make a nice painting instead of engaging in hours of fruitless "studies." After you die, do you want to have a bunch of academic drawings with correct anatomy laying around?
Only the art matters. This book, although much better than those awful books which use hack artists as models of excellence, still falls short
of what you really need to do to become a strong figurative painter. And that is, "draw from life". Pose your friends and family and draw them.
That's what the masters did.
This is one of the best books ever!.......2007-01-25
This is a must have book. No matter what your subject matter you can benefit from reading and doing the exercises in this book. I read it with a highlighter and a pen. I don't usually write in my drawing books, but this one was too good to simply read I had to study it. I will be using this in my current class to help me draw people better. Lots of excellent examples. It doesn't matter what you are trying to learn to draw this book helps you think in terms of mass and shape, not legs, arms, faces, etc.
Must have book for all fine art students!.......2007-01-05
Robert Beverly Hale is the undisputed master of not only artistic anatomy, methods of drawing and the masters' techniques; but he is also a master at conveying ideas in clear concise language. He was the best lecturer on artistic anatomy. I attended his 10 session lectures twice before he died. The book reflects much of what he taught in his lectures, so it's the next best thing to having him in the room.
Average customer rating:
- fantastic
- Just when I thought it was ridiculous to get another anatomy book...
- Pretty Good for the Price
- Some sections need more diagrams
- A great reference
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Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist (Galaxy Books)
Stephen Rogers Peck
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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ASIN: 0195030958 |
Book Description
Stephen Rogers Peck's Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist remains unsurpassed as a manual for students. It includes sections on bones, muscles, surface anatomy, proportion, equilibrium, and locomotion. Other unique features are sections on the types of human physique, anatomy from birth to old age, an orientation on racial anatomy, and an analysis of facial expressions. The wealth of information offered by the Atlas ensures its place as a classic for the study of the human form.
Customer Reviews:
fantastic.......2007-08-14
My professor/adviser of art advised me to get this.
It was great advice :D
Just when I thought it was ridiculous to get another anatomy book..........2007-06-07
This book surprised me. I already have several dozen books on art anatomy, but Peck's book has more. He goes into expressions, cultural and age distinctions, and locomotion. Is this the only book you'll need in studying anatomy, probably not. But each book you get on the subject, and study (NOT JUST COLLECT) will hone your visual memory until drawing the figure becomes second nature. Note: Study means putting time and effort on that drawing pad!!! Also, nothing beats drawing from life or imagination! These books are to supplement these areas.
Pretty Good for the Price.......2007-01-11
This book is a cheap and good reference for beginning figure drawers. The diagrams are fairly clear but some of the hand-drawn references get confusing.
Some sections need more diagrams.......2007-01-09
I bought this book on the account of the positive reviews here. A part of me regrets buying this book because I expected a figure drawing book. It isn't. It's a reference to human anatomy and I guess half if not most of the book is useful. I just can't give it 4 or 5 stars because Mr. Peck uses more words than visual diagrams to explain how the body moves and where fat develops. The section about fat is purely textual. It would have been better if there's a diagram of an average person overlaid with outlines where fat develops.
I still use it to supplement Joseph Sheppard's Drawing the Living Figure though.
I ordered Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain and I hope the high reviews of that book reflect its actual quality.
I guess it's true that there is no one-stop shop book on anatomy and figure drawing. An artist must have access to a library - personal or otherwise - to learn from.
Again, Mr. Peck's book in my opinion doesn't deserve 4 or 5 stars but if you do buy it, you won't regret it as much as let's say buying an anatomy book authored by Christopher Hart (blech).
A great reference.......2007-01-06
This book is very informative, and the best anatomy resource for artists that I have ever used.
Average customer rating:
- Great guide with one flaw
- A little heavy on the text, but a very thorough anatomy book.
- Last anatomy book you'll ever buy
- SUPERB ANATOMY BOOK
- talk talk
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Human Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form
Eliot Goldfinger
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
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Modelling and Sculpting the Human Figure
ASIN: 0195052064 |
Book Description
The power of the image of the nude--the expressivity of the flesh--has inspired artists from the beginning. An understanding of human form is essential for artists to be able to express themselves with the figure. Anatomy makes the figure. Human Anatomy for Artists: The Elements of Form is the definitive analytical work on the anatomy of the human figure. No longer will working artists have to search high and low to find the information they need. In this, the most up-to-date and fully illustrated guide available, Eliot Goldfinger--sculptor, illustrator, scientific model-maker, and lecturer on anatomy--presents a single, all-inclusive reference to human form, capturing everything artists need in one convenient volume. Five years in the making, and featuring hundreds of photos and illustrations, this guide offers more views of each bone and muscle than any other book ever published: every structure that creates or influences surface form is individually illustrated in clear, carefully lit photographs and meticulous drawings. Informed by the detailed study of both live models and cadavers, it includes numerous unique presentations of surface structures--such as fat pads, veins, and genitalia--and of some muscles never before photographed. In addition, numerous cross sections, made with reference to CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, and cut cadavers, trace the forms of all body regions and individual muscles. Information on each structure is placed on facing pages for ease of reference, and the attractive two-color format uses red ink to direct readers rapidly to important points and areas. Finally, an invaluable chapter on the artistic development of basic forms shows in a series of sculptures the evolution of the figure, head, and hands from basic axes and volumes to more complex organic shapes. This feature helps place the details of anatomy within the overall context of the figure. Certain to become the standard reference in the field, Human Anatomy for Artists will be indispensable to artists and art students, as well as art historians. It will also be a useful aid for physical and dance therapists, athletes and their trainers, bodybuilders, and anyone concerned with the external form of the human body. With the renewed interest in figurative art today, this will be an especially welcome volume.
Customer Reviews:
Great guide with one flaw.......2007-07-11
I had this book recommended to me by a friend years ago when we were all trying to get into the comic book industry. I bought it and loved it. You can learn anything you want to know about how the musculature and skeleton are put together and how they work. Each different part of the anatomy is given almost too much attention. Each angle is given a photo of the body part, and drawings of the arm with muscles or just the skeleton.
The biggest problem is there isn't too much tying the parts together. You may get a very good idea how the arm works, where the muscles put to and from, how the skeleton moves when you move your arm, but you won't get much information on how the arm connects and moves with the rest of the body. Your aren't a collection of individual parts (2 arms, 2 legs, etc) but one unified body and all your parts move together. You need a good concept of that before this book will be used to its utmost.
A little heavy on the text, but a very thorough anatomy book........2007-07-03
This book covers from the skeletal system to muscles, from head to toe, very thoroughly. Pictures are nice and clear. All important muscles feature full explanation on its origin, insert, function etc in text, and frontal and side view as well as in context of the whole muscle group along with a photograph of the real body part flexing with the related muscles. I find this book a little heavy a the text part, but images and photographs make up for it and make this book the most complete, and thorough anatomy book.
Last anatomy book you'll ever buy.......2007-06-26
This book is the best anatomy book I have come upon. I purchased every book I could find on this subject until I found this one. I am a sculptor and painter so this book provides everything I need to understand all the surface structure of the human body. It explains origin and insertion of each muscle and their function. (important to know when deciding in a pose which muscles would be flexed and which would be relaxed) There are cross-section drawings of the muscles so that you can see the size comparison of muscles around them. There are photographs of the muscles flexed using a thin model, the surface can be distinguished. I have taught Artistic Anatomy and this is a the cherished book of many of my students.
SUPERB ANATOMY BOOK.......2007-05-20
This book is exactly what I was looking for in an anatomy reference book. The cross-sectional drawings are great to help visualize the muscle forms in different positions. Not only does it deliver on accuracy of the muscles but it also depicts how the muscles are placed on the human skeleton from different angles, this helps me to understand the "wedging" of the muscles. I've seen this same title in other book stores for the retail price and I must say AMAZON has a great price for this book.
talk talk .......2007-02-19
May as well buy a grays anatomy. Pictures minimal and loads and loads of words and more words.
Average customer rating:
- A must have for anyone serious about biomechanics
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Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement
David A. Winter
Manufacturer: Wiley
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ASIN: 047144989X |
Book Description
A thorough update of the classic book on human movement in biomechanics
Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement, Third Edition is the thoroughly updated and retitled version of the widely used Biomechanics of Human Movement. Integrating a common set of data and analyses with reliable material on biomechanical techniques, this up-to-date edition examines techniques used to measure and analyze all body movements as mechanical systems, including such everyday movements as walking.
This highly informative and accessible Third Edition treats each limb of the body as a separate segment connected at hinge joints. Actuators replace muscles, and torque motors replace the net effect of all muscles. Descriptions of movements are given as well as examinations of the cause of the movement at kinetic and electromyographic levels.
Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement, Third Edition features:
* New material on 3D kinematics and kinetics emphasizing motor control
* Expanded coverage on image measurement systems
* New information on 3D center-of-mass estimates
* Models of the kinetics of balance control
* The latest research findings on fundamental relationships
* New biophysical models of EMG detection, as well as standards for recording and reporting
Complete with basic physics principles presented in capsule form for quick reference, Biomechanics and Motor Control of Human Movement, Third Edition is an essential resource for students and researchers.
Customer Reviews:
A must have for anyone serious about biomechanics.......2006-11-23
This book is a must have for biomechanics Graduate students. It looks at biomechanics from an engineering standpoint and technological standpoint, not just a math/physics standpoint. It is much cheaper (used) and just as good as the third edition. The only meaningful thing the third edition does better is describe filters (butterworth, spline, etc.). Some other parts of this book could be better explained, but I like the shortness of it overall. It also has Demster's anthropometric data in it that is the most commonly used for inverse dynamic solutions in biomechanics. Overall a great book and I'd recommend it to any advanced biomechanics student, even over the third edition all things considered.
Average customer rating:
- Review on "Drawing from Life"
- A book to Keep
- Figure drawing books don't get any better than this one.
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Drawing from Life
Clint Brown , and
Cheryl McLean
Manufacturer: Wadsworth Publishing
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ASIN: 0534613535 |
Book Description
The leading textbook for college figure-drawing classes, DRAWING FROM LIFE provides a clear, comprehensive, and thought-provoking guide to drawing the human form for anyone interested in exploring this time-honored artistic tradition. For centuries, drawing the human figure has given artists the tools and vocabulary for creating paintings, sculpture, drawings, or prints-from Renaissance classical to contemporary expression. In addition to working from the model, the figure-drawing student needs instruction in anatomy, history, and conceptual approaches to drawing the human form; such instruction is often missing from life drawing classes due to time constraints. DRAWING FROM LIFE offers these elements, along with a tremendous selection of drawings that represent the broad range of approaches, techniques, and media for drawing from life. The chapters follow the natural development of a student's growth, from fundamental sketching and gesture drawing to creative expression and exploration. An entire chapter on drawing the figure in perspective offers information that is not available in comparable textbooks. Students begin with quick sketches and gesture drawings, giving them a non-threatening introduction on a level they can readily understand and master. The cohesive presentation of anatomy, including a chapter on the human head, helps students understand the human structure and its impact on visible form. The final section brings the concepts, vocabulary, and history presented in the earlier chapters to bear on contemporary use of the figure in art.
Customer Reviews:
Review on "Drawing from Life".......2007-02-26
Excellent book for anyone interested in drawing the human figure. Deals well and extensively with proportion, anatomy and nuances of figure drawing. Required by my art teacher and worth the money as an on-going reference source.
A book to Keep.......2006-12-29
This book gives you the bones to enrich your experience with figure drawing. Professor Brown draws from varied sources and presents helpful images along with text that is intelligent and imformative. It is filled with sketches from masters such as Da Vinci as well as descriptive sketches from Clint addressing the figure as a subject filled with motion. I have continued to refer back to the book and appreciate its portable size. This is a book to take with you and keep even if you are moving around!
Figure drawing books don't get any better than this one........1997-02-03
"Drawing from Life" is a treasure an artist, teacher, and drawing lover finds once in awhile. It is very logically layed out. I enjoyed variety of illustrations, the learning exercises, and glossary. Alas... some negatives: the price, the quality and detail of the reproductions, especially the anatomy ones. The book needs to be bigger in size and make use of detail enlargements to show the beauty of the drawings
Book Description
The ultimate reference for comic artists, this unique book/CD set is packed with photos of men and women in basic and dramatic superhero poses uniquely tailored to the comic artist's needs. Comic Artist's Photo Reference:
-Delivers over 500 color images of beautiful women and muscled men in the poses comic artists need
-Features six step-by-step demonstrations by well-known artists, so readers can learn firsthand from the pros
-Comes with a CD-ROM of over 500 additional photos for added inspiration
With this reference, comic artists of all skill levels can draw from a diverse group of models in a hundreds of poses--any time they want!
Customer Reviews:
Very good for basic references.......2007-09-19
Really good if you are looking for fight scenes and positions to draw. Overall, its a good resource. The lighting is very good, and sometimes leans a little toward the dramatic side. If you use this along with, for example, a reference book on facial expressions, there are a lot of different images that you can create from these reference points. The disc is wonderful, especially since I do most of my work digitally and therefore like to work with my reference images in the computer.
Invaluable resource for any artist.......2007-09-16
The first time I saw this on the shelve in my local bookstore I just skimmed over the pages and thought nothing much of it. I recently decided to put together a game prototype that will feature many characters in dynamic poses in many situations. Problem was I had no real reference other than the internet, and after becoming increasingly frustrated with lack of good quality reference I remembered this book. Frantically trying to recall the name from months back, I was more than happy to purchase a copy, and I'm grateful I did. It's an immense resource that every artist should have as part as their library. Having models in many different situations and poses is a huge help when it comes to consistency amongst many other things.
I highly recommend this book.
Great for preteen and teens artists, not just professionals!.......2007-08-17
I teach junior high students. This book would be perfect for all the kids in my school who love to draw. The poses show models doing things you would see in comics (flying, running, fighting, swords, capes, etc.). The models wear formfitting clothes but they are all clothed enough to be "decent." There is a page of photos showing a woman smoking, but since this is something a comic artist might need to draw, I don't see it as a problem. (Hopefully someday all kids will NEED a photo to know what smoking looks like!) There are several excellent step-by-step art lessons that teach real art concepts and could be used in the classroom. There's also a CD packaged with the book that has many more pictures on it. Students would enjoy browsing the CD or using Photoshop to combine multiple photos into something new that they could then draw from. Five stars and a recommendation to my school's librarian!
Best photo reference for comic artists!.......2007-08-16
This is fantastic photo reference for the comic artist (me)! These are nice sharp color photos. I don't agree that the shorter female model isn't good (she's not 40, she's 34!). She's got great fighting poses and expressions. I can take the shadows and apply them to taller characters as needed.
The male models are clearly bodybuilders. Their fighting pics are great. The women aren't super-muscular, but they are attractive and they have great poses and expressions.
The CD is excellent too. More photos beyond what is in the book, and a lot of cool/funny extra pictures, movies, etc.
Poses include: facial expressions, standing, sitting, lifting, cape, street clothes, swords, guns, fighting, wounded, scared, flying. Also romance, fighting, smoking, drinking, loading gun.
If I had to name things I wish were different... The capes are good, and I really like the shots of the models in regular clothes, but there could be more costumes. Still, for the excellent Amazon price, and so many photos plus poses that are tailor made for comics--I am a very happy customer.
Great character expressions.......2007-08-03
This book has many over a thousand photo's with great comic book perspectives, male and female.
Some of the lighting could have been better and the female models should have been more athletic and shapley.
Customer Reviews:
Muscle-bound........2007-06-09
This is a fascinating approach to anatomy, utilizing over-emphasized musculature to better illustrate the human form. Anyone considering purchasing this book must possess the understanding that these are exaggerated proportions not demonstrative of a realistic human form. But they are not designed to be. They convey the inter-relationships between masses that would normally be only subtly perceived. I did not require the art history lesson in the beginning, but perhaps that may appeal to some customers who would like to see the artistic past that helped inevitably shape artists like Hogarth. Overall, this is a good work that acheives its purpose.
A useful book, but very stylized drawings.......2007-05-31
If you've seen Hogarth's book before you can probably guess what this book is like with amazing accuracy, if not, here's the scoop: He breaks down the figure into extremely exagerated/distorted shapes ("dynamic") as a way of understanding it's structure. He is a master of explaining the figure geometrically, and it's a useful perspective to be exposed to. There is a lot to be learned here, and his style is pretty interesting, but without a more realistic artistic anatomy book to supplement it, Dynamic Anatomy would be pretty misleading; people simply don't look the way Hogarth draws them.
By the way, the difference between the old and updated versions is not very significant. Basically the new one has more (oddly) colored drawings. I'd save your money and get the old one used.
A good book becomes great.......2007-02-18
I first bought this book back in the early 70s, and it was a great relief to see human anatomy depicted in action, versus the clinical and static presentations more common to the books my father had. At that young age, I wanted to be a comic-book artist, which was all about action, and Hogarth knew that world well.
This new edition, expanding on the original and with a wonderfully contemporary design feel, truly fills out the original vision. The essays included are insightful and relevant even today. I am totally pleased with this book.
Dynamic Anatomy.......2007-01-19
This is a very good reference book for learning to draw the human figure in action. I am a commercial artist and designer, but have worked for many years on non-figurative projects. I am focusing on figurative work again, primarily in the game, fantasy and science fiction field. My goal is to draw entirely from imagination without having to use reference material, and this book by Burne Hogarth and his Drawing Dynamic Hands are helping me to reach this goal. The illustrations are very well done with good explanation and many drawings showing the figure in action. The muscles are heroic in proportion, which helps in identifying them. As an artist, you can choose to emphasize them or not... but knowing the structure is very important. I have had many life drawing sessions and have always been taught to "draw what you see", but over the years I have come to the conclusion that "drawing what you know" is equally important, both for time efficiency and quality of the finished illustration or painting. I highly recommend this book for any artist that is serious about drawing the human figure in action.
5 Stars= Original Version; 1 Star= '03 Revision-Update.......2006-05-27
...The *original* version is in my Top 3 Burne Hogarth books. But in 2003, the new, *revised* version changed my 5-Star rating...
To make this simple: there are 2 versions of this book. The *original* version is ISBN 0823015513, 232 pages, and is predominantly black & white, with a few bronze & white drawings for a little splash of color. The original version is *brilliant*- and is widely considered a classic. The new *revised & expanded* version is ISBN 0823015521, 255 pages, and is a completely random mix of black & white, red-orange, bronze, grey, and sometimes blue-lined drawings. The original has copyright dates of 1958-1990(paperback)-2002. The revised & expanded version is copyrighted 2003- and is available today. Currently, both versions share the same reviews listing, hence my mixed 3-Stars.
Because there are 2 separate versions, I'll be giving 2 separate reviews.
1. '5 STARS'- Original Version: It really is great(!)- EVERY muscle of the figure is shown in brilliant, 3-dimensional perspective. How brilliant is this? To many, it's simply an introduction to Dynamic Figure Drawing, which is often considered Burne Hogarth's *best* book. But Dynamic Anatomy is much more than that. It's his very 1st book-1958, and it's the basis of everything he's ever taught in the Dynamic Drawing series. All 5 of his other books spring from this. Essential bits & pieces of those books are actually included & originated from here!
As much as I love Dynamic Figure Drawing, Dynamic Anatomy *does* do a few things better. The figures in Dynamic Anatomy tend to be a little more sharply delineated, clear, high-contrast, and detailed. Proportions are also very clearly detailed- in Dynamic Figure Drawing the emphasis isn't as sharp in this area. Dynamic Anatomy features fantastic close-up views of the figure's main parts- Dynamic Figure Drawing concentrates mainly on the interconnection of parts, as well as with brilliant, full-figure construction from memory. Both books get my *highest* recommendation!
And Dynamic Anatomy really is a classic. Even Marvel's legendary John Buscema recommends it- check out his bibliography in How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way. It's important to note that he never saw the 2003 update of this book, so his recommendation is referring to the brilliant *original* version only. He also recommends a few George Bridgman books to go along with this- definitely a great idea!
2. '1 STAR'- 2003- Revised & Expanded Version: An interesting but absolute *mess*! What in the world were they thinking?!?
Goodness gracious alive, I can't stand this book now. As mentioned above, this book is a complete & total random mess of color. We get black & white, red-orange, bronze, grey, and sometimes blue-lined drawings- an especially hideous example of 'revision & expansion'. Nobody in this WORLD can convince me that Burne Hogarth would've wanted it to be seen like this.
Consider this- Burne Hogarth created this book in 1958- he passed away in 1996. He had about 38 years to make whatever changes he wanted, and guess how many changes he ended up making in all this time? Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Absolutely NONE. Apparently he was happy with it exactly as it was. Yet not even 10 YEARS after he passes away, the Hogarth family decides to change it. Even with the *best* of intentions- this is morally & ethically wrong. Even the BEST intentions here can't make this 'wrong' a 'right'.
Do we 'honor' artists by changing their work? Do we 'honor' Michelangelo & Da Vinci by 'revising & expanding' what they did? No! We preserve it- maybe restore it- but we never... EVER... change what they did. But we have good intentions right? Let's break apart Michelangelo's sculpture of David, and then reassemble it with a few new parts, gluing it all together with a bright orange, neon epoxy! Not a good idea you say? Well it just happened to Burne Hogarth's Dynamic Anatomy! And it's truly made a mess of a brilliant work of art.
Book Description
The follow-up title to the hit title Drawing Cutting Edge Comics, which has been translated into seven languages, this drawing tutorial shows artists how to draw the exaggerated musculature of super-sized figures in action poses. The guesswork is taken out of figuring out which muscles show through to the surface and how muscles appear through clothing. This instructional manual even gives both the Latin and the common terms for particular body parts such as scapula/shoulder blade. Hart covers all aspects of extreme anatomy. The book opens by providing detailed diagrams of all of the various muscle groups, including chest, back, shoulder, arm, and leg muscles. Then he covers many of the various extreme comic book types including good guy, bad guy, insane guy, punk, genius, and brute for men; and the heroine, bad gal, trashy gal, seductress, fighter babe, and cyber chick for women. As an added bonus, this book closes with two invaluable sections to all aspiring comic book artists. One provides a roadmap of all the steps an artist must take if he or she is going to get started in the comic book business, and advice on how the comic book business works. The second section features interviews with people from two of the most significant companies in the world of comics, Marvel Comics and Dark Horse Comics.
Customer Reviews:
Nothing useful at all........2007-10-03
This is really a boring book. It does not tell you anything about how to draw the human body at all. No depth, no advice on how large a figure should be, or perception. There is nothing here at all.
Great Book.......2007-09-29
This is a great reference book. I really like it, BUT for any really REALLY serious people who wish to really improve their drawings, Riven Pheonix "Drawing the Human Figure From Your Mind" lessons are key (google it). It shows you how to draw the whole skeleton - from your mind. Then the muscles - from your mind. The fruits are astounding. I completed all 227 lessons and must admit that reference books are much more helpful when you actually LEARN how EXACTLY mucles and bones look the way they look on people.
Great buy, Well worth the Money.......2007-09-18
I'm a beginner to drawing in general but the descriptions and pictures presented make reproducing presented information/techniques easy
Amazing book - totally recommended for any and all artists.......2007-08-24
For starters, this is written by Christopher Hart, so it's probably one of your best options if you are interested in the subject of the book...
This is great for learning how muscle groups work, since it focuses on different parts of the body for both men and women, and how the skeleton structure is set up, not only in general, but in different positions, explaining how muscles move with the different poses, and which ones 'pop' depending on the pose. It's a great book for any beginning artist to start getting a sense of how the body is put together, and great for more advanced artists to make their pictures more and more realistic. Also gives great ideas for characters.
A great buy even if you are not overly enthusiastic about the graphic novel; if you love drawing, you'll love this book!
Drawing Cutting Edge Anatomy: The Ultimate Reference for Comic Book Artists.......2007-07-24
Great book for muscles... I had problem drawing muscles and this book helped great book
Book Description
Anatomically correct We owe a great debt to Jean Baptiste Marc Bourgery (1797-1849) for his Atlas of Anatomy, which was not only a massive event in medical history, but also remains one of the most comprehensive and beautifully illustrated anatomical treatises ever published in any language. Bourgery began work on his magnificent atlas in 1839 to accompany the text volumes that had began publication in 1831, and the eight-volume collection was finally completed in 1854, five years after his death. The four parts of Bourgery's treatise cover descriptive anatomy, surgical anatomy and techniques (covering in detail nearly all the major operations that were performed during the first half of the 19th century), general anatomy and embryology, and microscopic anatomy. The spectacular hand-colored lithographs were created by Nicolas Henri Jacob (1782-1871), a student of the French painter Jacques Louis David, and most of the life-size images are remarkable for their clarity, color, and aesthetic appeal! , reflecting a combination of direct laboratory observation and illustrative research; the images are to this day unsurpassed in anatomical illustration. This reprint includes the complete color plates—726 in total—and will finally allow not only those in the medical field but also artists, students, and anyone interested in the study of the human body to appreciate this important historical work.
Customer Reviews:
I can't put it down..........2007-05-23
Beautiful drawings! I am so happy to see perspectives and layers that are glossed over in most modern anatomical illustrations, esp various depictions of fascia. Striking detail -- I am so pleased I went with the large format of this book. If it didn't weigh 25 lbs I wouldn't be able to put it down!
Taschen, Fat Possum, Criterion: These Guys Have All My Money.......2005-12-18
I don't have any particular interest in anatomy, although I do like to do a little of my own research when some body part is misbehaving. This massive book will certainly assist in the future...it has to be the gold-standard of anatomy books. And Taschen has done yet another magnificent job producing one of these major historic works. Folks, this book is staggering, in both size and quality. It is HUGE (perhaps four times the size of an average "coffee-table book") and heavy and beautifully produced: Cloth-bound cover, incredible paper quality, magnificent color reproduction...and enormous scope. Page after page of....well, blood and guts, assorted organs, skeletons, bones and skulls.
But that's what we're made of, and even though I maybe got a little nauseous by page 700, it was an amazing voyage through the human body. And even though these plates are well over a hundred years old, I presume we have not evolved so much that anything here is outdated or obsolete. Bottom-line: if you have the slightest interest in anatomy, you MUST buy this book. This is an heirloom quality edifice.
I should also mention that if you have friends or family who are medical students, doctors, or some other type of "medical professional," or athletic trainer, this might be the best gift you could give them. Not only will they enjoy it from an aesthetic perspective, they may use it on occasion in the course of their work. This thing seems like it might be really useful for anyone trying to visualize a region of the body. And there is an extensive section dedicated to various (perhaps outdated) surgical techniques and medical apparatus.
Taschen does it yet again. I see Taschen as being to books as Criterion is to DVDs and Fat Possum is to music. These companies lovingly excavate these lost or unknown treasures and present them for all of us to enjoy in an ultra-high quality package. This may not be good for my savings account but my bookshelves are a cultural treasure trove.
Books:
- Ancient Coin Collecting
- Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature
- Andy Goldsworthy: A Collaboration with Nature
- AP Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law (Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law)
- Arsenio Rodriguez and the Transnational Flows of Latin Popular Music (Studies In Latin America & Car)
- Art Deco Interiors: Decoration and Design Classics of the 1920s and 1930s
- ART OF POCAHONTAS, THE
- Arts With the Brain in Mind
- Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, and Cows
- Blue Shoes and Happiness (No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, Book 7)
Books Index
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The Figure in Motion
