High-focus Drawing: A Revolutionary Approach to Drawing the Figure [Paperback]

James McMullan (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Overlook TP (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879516046
• ISBN-13: 978-0879516048
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,252,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book, great teacher, January 9, 2005

By 

James M. Mortensen (Hoboken, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: High-focus Drawing: A Revolutionary Approach to Drawing the Figure (Paperback)

Funny, I believe the reviewer below has not read the book. Yes, "Revolutionary Approach" is marketing-speak, but the book itself is rooted in the very principles of the masters he mentions. Michelangelo & Degas are used as great examples.

It's not an easy book to digest, but neither are the principles he espouses. Nevertheless, my drawing has become much better because of it, and for the first time I'm actually learning to THINK about drawings & the body.

Highly recommended.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great!, March 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: High-Focus Drawing: A Revolutionary Approach to Drawing the Figure (Hardcover)

Well, I turn to this book for inspiration to remember what life drawing's all about! It touches on a very important essence about life drawing most other books don't: the natural rhythm of the human form and the ability to "catch" it, and translate it on to the page. The ability to successfuly make true LIFE drawings: making the images come to life. It is the difference between being just a very good draftsman (being able to render forms faithfully with no emotion/life essence) to being an artist. I wouldn't get this book if I only had to get a single ONE on figure drawing, but its something to supplement other (figure) drawing books.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Book Is great...., December 3, 2002

By 

Assmonkey (Hackensack) - See all my reviews

This review is from: High-Focus Drawing: A Revolutionary Approach to Drawing the Figure (Hardcover)

as a companion to McMullans class at SVA, which I have done. It is also a great tool on the proper way to draw figure. The book instructs the reader how to see the life flowing through the pose...as much as yoda as that sounds. Starting with a shoe and then a plant. It also instructs how the artist should sit and view the model. Rember there is no real subsitute for the actual class and no book is going to make you great.

Personally I have had my differences with Mr McMullan and could go as far as sayign no I don't like him BUT the book is a great tool, as "a reader" stated. One last thing if Mr. Gargan feels that "I doubt if any artist would find this of much value" then please explain why the classes at The School Of Visual Arts in NYC are always packed and turn out people who en up working for disney?