The Figure: The Classic Approach to Drawing & Construction

This is a very easy to use, clear and practical guide to constructing the figure from imagination."Classic approach" here simply means the methods that have been handed down from the Masters of the renaissance, where art and science came together. For instance, ideas of perspective, which are analytical and mathematical, were applied to art to create realism.Similarly the constructive approach is based somewhat in the lines of geometry, and attempt to reduce all objects and forms to be a composition of a few basic forms. This resulted in the usage of sphere, box, cylinder etc. to construct any three dimensional figure, including of course the human figure. There were no hard and fast rules as to what these basic forms were. Some would use cones, cuboids etc.This book is a very clear exposition on the use of constructive approach to drawing the figure.The Figure is analyzed using the basic forms first, to get a sense of proportion, relationships etc.The idea of using two glasses (glasses with which we drink water etc.) as the two parts of the body: the upper torso and the pelvis, is amazingly an effective tool, in studying the relationship of these two major forms of the figure. same is done to study the upper and lower arms, upper and lower legs.The book aids in seeing the figure as made up of these simple forms, which results in clear understanding of the underlying structure which is easy to cast into memory, and can be applied both in life drawing as well as drawing from imagination.There are parts of the book that deals in details about the body and the movable parts. the possible movements of individual parts, in relation to the others, such as how much the arm can swing, or the degree of freedom of each part of the leg, are invaluable lessons, that are very explicitly laid down using the simplified figure.Eventually the book takes us to an application of anatomy, though not a anatomy book, this teaches how to use a simplified skeleton to setup the figure and move towards more realism.If we go through this book, one can be assured of getting a "solid" understanding of the figure, in very simplified terms yet powerful enough to create stunningly realistic figure from imagination.One would learn from the book, apply this knowledge when drawing from life or photo reference, and then internalize that knowledge and start creating figures purely from imagination.Walt Reed was part of the amazing Famous Artists School of the 50-60s. The Figure drawing lessons in those courses are pretty much what is contained in this book. I would think this book contains a bit more than those lessons, more reference images, and more instructions.This is a must have in the figurative artist book shelf.

Easily one of my favorite-ever figure books(!)-If you've ever seen the bestselling  How To Draw Comics The Marvel Way , a major teaching that stands out is its emphasis on spheres, cubes, and cylinders when learning to draw anything & everything, including the human figure. Well this is *exactly* what Walt Reed's The Figure is essentially all about.The teachings here were developed in & represent the Famous Artists School, and the figure basics here are really excellent yet seemingly standard fare. I've even seen some of these principles repeated by recent Japanese animation & comicbook instructionals. Yes, these principles are definitely great; it's the style & way these principles are communicated that makes this book seem a little bit dated, which may be why this isn't currently more popular. Reed's instruction here is presented with a combination of work by various artists and black & white photos of nude models, giving this entire effort a very mixed-media effect in its overall design. It was created in 1976, updated in 1984, and while the photos are generally well done, the models here look very much to be from that time, and maybe even earlier. Also included: drawings, etchings, paintings & sculptures; all by various masters in the history of western art. Add to this the book's physical dimensions- 9" x 12" x 1/2"- and this is really not a simple looking how-to-draw type book. Yet the teaching here really *is* simple & effective! It's basically about building the figure with cylinders, although spheres & cubes are depicted as well. My favorite aspect of the book is Reed's own drawings & instruction, which demonstrates the simplified figure accompanied by a wealth of helpful hints, tips & tricks. These instructions are also shown along with the photos of models to help reinforce principles by drawing from life. Hands & faces get special attention. We even get a little on basic light & shade and a section on figures in action! Usually, it's books that present a unified look & style, like the ones by Bridgman and Hogarth, that tend to look a little more timeless in my personal opinion. Yet Walt Reed's The Figure is fantastic in its actual *effect*, and that's really, basically the most important thing. It's a worthwhile book to add to anyone's collection!P.S. Parts of this book were included in an 8-1/2" x 11" x 3/8" compilation entitled  Basic Figure Drawing Techniques , edited by Greg Albert. This compilation is printed on better quality paper, and includes material from 5 figure books. In my opinion Reed's contribution is the best. Also- Another great, 5-star work for beginners: Jack Hamm's excellent  Drawing the Head and Figure . Highly recommended!

This book covers the basic structure and form of the figure for beginners. It shows a relatively simple way to construct the figure and simplifies the hands and feet. It doesn't include technique and also should include more proportions (it touches on proportions here and there, but not in depth). Overall I think this is nice introductory book for you to get started drawing the figure.

This was required reading for my Life Drawing Class. It has been very helpful, with detailed information, and great illustrations. You do not have to be in a class to use this book. It will be part of my art book collection for years to come. It is not only the overall figure, but details the head, faces, hands and feet and joints. A good overall book for the price.

A thorough, though somewhat dated work on the constructive approach to figure drawing. It's still a useful reference for practitioners of this method, though styles, methods, and preferences have changed over the years. Other excellent references for realistic figure drawing include Ryder  The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing: A Contemporary Perspective on the Classical Tradition , Civardi  Drawing The Female Nude and Sheppard  Drawing the Female Figure .

There are naked people in here. Kinda awkward to pull out in an IT class though.

I'm starting school in a few days and I was very glad that I got this book so quickly, that it was so affordable, and that it was in good condition. I would use this seller again if they have more books I need.

This book is great for beginning life drawiers ... Helped me in class to have a better understandment when it came to looking at the body as shapes !!! and no complain about the books condition eather :)

This reason I choose this book because a friend of mine said to me that it is a very good book. And agree with that it is a very good book to help you with drawing.The book itself is a really good book in which helps you to draw peoples in a better way and the instructions are also very good.I would recommend this to my friends who are also in drawing and painting.

Une grande partie des très bons ouvrages se rapportant aux techniques de dessin ou de peinture provient des pays anglo-saxons. Un petit nombre est traduit et le reste, malheureusement reste inaccessible à ceux qui ne maîtrise pas la langue de Shakespeare.Le présent ouvrage a été, en son temps, traduit en français par les excellentes éditions Vigot. Sous le titre "le modèle vivant en mouvement", j'avais eu la chance de m'en procurer un exemplaire en 2002. Le livre était sorti dans sa version française en 2000. Cette édition est maintenant, semble-t-il, épuisé.Récemment, je me suis procuré la version en langue anglaise. Le livre a paru la première fois en 1976 et a été ensuite plusieurs fois réédité.Excellent ouvrage dont la particularité est d'aborder le dessin du corps humain sous forme de cubes, de cylindres et autres figures géométriques. Cette méthode de travail semble venir du XVIè siècle déjà. Luca Cambiaso (1527 - 1585) exécutait ses études de personnages à l'aide de formes géométriques.A l'usage de ce livre, j'ai fait énormément de progrès dans la construction de mes personnages, spécialement pour proportionner les "raccourcis". La technique des formes géométriques est excellente. On y aborde également les proportions d'hommes à 7 ou 8 têtes. Il y manque peut-être l'approche "stick figure".Le squelette de l'humain avec le nom des os est bien appréhendé dans ce manuel. La musculature est également étudiée, ainsi que les ombres et lumières. On y aborde également les personnages en mouvement, mais peut-être de manière un peu superficielle. On peut compléter cette lecture avec l'excellent "How to draw cartoon the Marvel way", pour maximiser l'étude de personnages en mouvement (exagération du mouvement).L'étude du dessin du visage est également abordée. Peut-être un peu superficielle, il y manque les proportions des différents éléments d'un visage (yeux, nez, oreille, etc.) Le livre "Comment dessiner un portrait de Parramon, éditions Dessain et Toira" est un précieux complément.Même si l'on ne comprend pas du tout l'anglais, on peut utiliser cette méthode et en tirer un grand enseignement. En effet, il est richement illustré en dessins et en photos. Les modèles proviennent en ligne droite des années 60 - 70, date de parution du livre. Ce charme rétro ajoute au plaisir de travailler avec cet ouvrage. Dans tous les cas, la technique, les proportions et autres sont restées les mêmes. Sans connaître l'anglais, on peut donc facilement acquérir les techniques enseignées (mouvements, torsions du corps et des membres, mouvement des mains et des pieds, mains tenant des objets, proportion des doigts,etc etc etc)Un livre très riche que doit posséder toute personne désirant dessiner des corps humains. Destiner à un public qui a déjà des notions de dessins, d'un niveau intermédiaire à avancé.Un rapport qualité prix intéressant, et surtout axé sur de la pratique plutôt que de grandes théories. On a la possibilité, avec cette méthode, de progresser de manière significative. Il ne reste plus aux éditions Vigot de le rééditer en français. Mais dans l'attente d'une réédition hypothétique, autant se procurer la version anglaise.

This book will teach you useful drawing techniques of human anatomy and movements as well as proportions, both from different points of view and scale of the body.

Wasn't the edition I was expecting but still, love it!!

Je l'ai acheté pour offrir et la personne l'adore : c'est son livre de chevet ! Il ne m'en fallait pas plus pour être convaincue !