Drawing from Life [Paperback]

Clint Brown (Author), Cheryl McLean (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0534613535 | ISBN-13: 978-0534613532 | Edition: 3

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The textbook follows much of my thinking and beliefs so it helps to reinforce points in the classroom. I find the illustrations are wonderful, great examples of the concepts."

"The level of writing used in this text definitely meets the needs and abilities of my students. This book not only helps the students expand their vocabulary, but it also allows them to understand how the elements of art and the principles of design apply to figure drawing."

"I found the quotes in the chapter opening refreshing. It gives the reader an inspirational view of art...'In the Studio' provides the instructor with a wonderful recap of the lessons taught in the chapter and provides a step-by-step approach for the lesson."

About the Author

Clint Brown is Professor of Art at Oregon State University. He has taught life drawing classes to college students at several institutions for more than thirty years. He also spent a year teaching at Nottingham Trent University in England on a Fulbright exchange. He has exhibited his drawings, paintings, and sculpture in a variety of media, but drawing remains his first and abiding love.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 3 edition (July 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534613535
• ISBN-13: 978-0534613532
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #299,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Figure drawing books don't get any better than this one., February 2, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Drawing from Life (Paperback)

"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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book to Keep, December 28, 2006

By 

Raeine (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drawing from Life (Paperback)

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!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drawing, December 26, 2007

By 

Manda R. Doyle (Tallahassee, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drawing from Life (Paperback)

I bought this book for a class I was taking and I ended up keeping it for myself once I finished the class. It is filled with information and instruction. I love this book and I very rarely keep book I buy for classes and this is one of the few I kept because I know I will use it many more times in the future. It works well for references and how to stuff.