Customer Reviews

Classical Drawing Atelier: A Contemporary Guide to Traditional Studio Practice

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

No question this is a beautiful book, and I often have my own copy open to enjoy the excellent reproductions of drawings by masters past and present. The text, especially the chapter on composition, is very thorough and persuasive.

The crux of my growing discontent with the book is the demonstration on how to copy an old master drawing, a drawing by Raphael. It's an impressive performance, accomplished, like most of the projects demonstrated in the book, using the straight line block-in method, and the final result is a near-exact duplicate of the original drawing. The problem is: Raphael didn't draw this way. Neither did Michelangelo, Pontormo, Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Prud'hon or Ingres.

There is much which is of value in this book, but in order to understand drawing in a wider context, I would recommend, in addition, anything by Robert Beverly Hale, Burne Hogarth, George Bridgeman, John H. Vanderpoel, or Harold Speed. Also, I highly recommend "The Language of Drawing" by Sherrie McGraw, which is a pointed and subtle rebuttal to what some might see as the over-emphasis on accuracy in the methods taught in this book.

Drawing is a big subject, and no one book covers it all.

I have quite a collection of art books that I keep as reverences and browse into every now and again. I bought this book as I taught that it might be good, and since I am always looking for `that knowledge' of fine art schools, but since I do not have the time and money to attend to classes, I try to study by myself. Few books ever give me the satisfaction of buying it, and most of the time I end up gathering some information which is either irrelevant or keep on reading the same text from book to book, with just a few words that make it different from all the others. But this one is sooooo different. I have found what I have been looking for in the last couple of years. Can't believe this book is so cheap!!! The pictures are massive, the knowledge is wicked and the style is simply out of this world! If you're into classic fine art, this book is a must, whether you re a beginner or a professional artist.

This is a deep book, a kind of survey of essential drawing topics for the artist student, beginning or advanced. My impression is that Ms. Aristides covers the curriculum of her Atelier, explaining the theory behind the practices and learning accomplished there. At any rate, what she discusses she treats thoroughly and thoughtfully with valuable insights. For instance, I have read a number of excellent books on drawing, but hers is the first that defined for me the different meanings contained in straight lines verses curved lines. For me, a key insight. So I think the true value of this book, in addition to spelling out what her students do and learn, is the key artistic wisdom Ms. Aristides shares out of her experience and expert skills.

I teach drawing, painting and design and stumbled across this book when looking for the Bargue book. The book is well written with several useful exercises.

Additionally, a clear rationale is presented for teaching academic drawing to the beginning art student as a means to better express their ideas.

I work at the New York Academy of Art (NYAA). Several of the images were made by NYAA instructors and alumni. An additional copy has been added to our library.

JC

I've had the pleasure of studying with Juliette and am witness to her wealth of knowledge about art history and technique. I'm very excited that she put as much energy in this book as she does in each painting or drawing. In it, she offers a brief history and some great excersizes that will help improve everyones understanding of art. As explained in the book, those paintings that stand the test of time all share the same basic principles. Juliette covers those beautifully. The images are inspiring as well. I'm stoked to add this book to my library!

This is probably the most prized book in my art book collection. It is highly informative and is really for serious students of art that want to study in the ways of the old masters. It has made me want to draw everything in sight.

If you can only own one art book, this is it!

I've just finished reading this book and only wish that I knew this book sooner. It covers the art history and how to draw specifically; don't even mention about all the beautiful drawings from the masters. This book gives me more information in drawing than all the art classes I've taken through out the years!

A wealth of knowledge,experience and fortitude has gone into the development of this artists' essential guide to the attainment of high art.
The crucial need of the artist to configure the subject correctly is aspired to in this book, and the pictures are superb. The methods used to obtain high standard preliminary (and necessary) rendering of the subject is covered in this book and is really a valuable guide to anyone considering joining an atelier program prior to their commencement.
As well it is valuable for anyone wanting to appreciate how perfection is obtained- albeit the 'truth' of art.
An excellent resource and Julitte Aristides lengthy career has gone into its' making.
I can wait for her Classical Painting book also to be published reportedly some time later in 2007.

One of the best books I've read on studying art and drawing. All the basics you'd probably need are entombed here. The author is an excellent artist and all her plates are amazing. Definitely one of my top picks of books on drawing. For what it's worth, I don't say many good things about many books on art, but this one was an exception.

This book confirms and illustrates beautifully the principles of Atelier work. The later sections could be extended considerably and I hope it will be. A good reference to have on your shelf and a lovely present for an artist.