Customer Reviews

Drawing Fashion: The Art of Kenneth Paul Block

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Art of Kenneth Paul Block is a long awaited book of astonishingly vibrant fashion and portrait drawings of swan necked beauties by a much admired fashion-insider. Mr. Block studied at The Parsons school of Design and illustrated the work of the most influential fashion designers from about the mid 20th century to the nineties before unoriginal, mediocre photography (and unskilled illustrations) completely dominated how fashion was communicated to the celebrity obsessed, style challenged, uninformed masses. With seemingly effortless ease (the energy in the art looks like it could have been sketched yesterday!), Mr. Block drew the ever changing mood of fashion from London Mod to Italian Modern, Preppy Classic to Japanese Experimental, French couture to American casual and inspired many generations of fashion enthusiasts in the process. Mr. Block's portraits showcase a few of his favorite ladies. A rare and exquisite breed who set the standard for elegance and chic for most of the 20th century. Society beauties like Mrs. Guinness, Mrs. Paley, Mrs. Guest, Mrs.Vanderbilt and Mrs.Kennedy speak of a time when grace, poise and mystery mixed with a certain sense of knowing defined a chic, stylish lady. These ladies took pride in their dress and manners, forever refining their personal presentation while facing life's challenges at full gallop...no wonder they are legendary....and his drawings of them continue to delight.

Included in the book are also several personal, previously unpublished drawings of legendary eccentrics as well as published drawings of lush interiors and glamorous accessories...further highlighting Mr. Block's wonderful wit,extraordinary sense of observation and imagination.It is also important to mention the role Mr. Fairchild (the publisher of WWD and W) played in showcasing Mr. Block's drawings of the best in high fashion and high society. Not a hard decision to make when you fall under the spell of mr. Block's mastery in handling paint, pencil and the utilitarian,lowly magic marker in deliciously expressive gestures. What Mr. Block did with a marker,is Magic indeed. An essential book celebrating the work of an American Artist with a rare and elegant eye.

My wife, B.J. has asked me to forward her review of Drawing Fashion: She writes:

"As a former advertising fashion artist in the sixties, I was especially thrilled with Kenneth Paul Block's new book. I have been a fan of his work in WWD, W and various fashion magazines for many years. I have in my files a great many copies of his drawings from these publications.

I love this big book full of his fashion sketching masterpieces with interesting narrations. I agree with the designers and others that photography cannot capture the exciting proportions and movements of the figure as well as KPB did. His illustrations are fabulous!

I'll never understand why W magazine does not use his drawings. (I wrote a letter to them on this subject several years ago.) My only criticism of the book is with the descriptive type face that is unnecessarily small. This is a beautiful, colorful, marvelous book to enjoy over and over."

B. J. HAGGLAND

Terrific Book, fascinating on the life and times of the 30's 40' and 50's in the fashion world. Great reproductions and interesting text.

Kenneth PB was the model of an artist who mastered fashion illustration by his talents. He was a stylist as well as a drawer - the combination led to rich, expressive, inspirational works of art. This book tells his story well and shows his genius with beautiful reproductions.

Beautiful book: a testament to KPB's work and position in the history of fashion illustration. He will be greatly missed, but at least we have this legacy, a record of his achievements. While some of my favorite examples of his work didn't make it into this book, many I never saw did, so it is still a pleasure to visit again and again.

The best book of fashion illustration I'd seen. Kenneth Paul Block is a real artist, great drawer, sensible and extremely chic. This book help me in my classes and teachs a lot of style.

Drawing Fashion: 'The Art of Kenneth Paul Block' is a beautiful book.

I was looking for a book that had fashion drawings done in a variety of techniques. This Book has provided this in spades. Ordering it from Amazon.com was a great way to save a lot of money!

I would certainly recommend this Book to fashion art students and art students, alike. There are a lot of visual examples in the drawings that would help all kinds of artists stretch their way of approaching their work.

It is worth every penny!

P.G.

Recommended by one of my teachers at Parsons, this book lived up to its expectations. It is a privilege to be able to see the art of the true artist, Kenneth Paul Block, all condensed into this lovely book. Sadly, the art of illustration is no longer as honoured as before. Even the movement expressed by the figure on the cover of the book is truly inspiring!