How to Draw the Human Figure (Watson-Guptill Artists Library) [Paperback]

Jose Maria Parramon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Watson-Guptill Artists Library | Publication Date: May 1990

Demonstrates the correct placement of body parts and how to draw the figure in a variety of poses. Lessons cover artistic anatomy, as well as modeling with light, shadow, planes, and masses.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill Publications (May 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823023583
• ISBN-13: 978-0823023585
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #99 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Figure Drawing

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I respect Parramon, wish I could rate it even higher, April 27, 2004

By 

Bruce Bain "Romans 9:33/Remember Jackie Robinson" (Englewood, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Draw the Human Figure (Watson-Guptill Artists Library) (Paperback)

"How to draw the human figure" --Jose Parramon

Jose Parramon, in my opinion, barely missed defining the genre of "figure drawing" texts for beginners. He covers fundaments of anatomy well, and yet leaves me wanting for more of what Jack Hamm calls "Simplified Figurettes". Parramon uses simpllified figurettes and block figures in a variety of poses and dynamic motion, which every beginner needs, but more were needed to illustrate this book for beginners. I guess this is where I take exception to Parramon's text, for I find myself strangely wishing he had done more in nearly every chapter. Had he done more, this book might be the standard even today. Sometimes, I guess not doing a little more, can be the difference between great success and mere mediocrity. Parramon had it all. Why were there so few block figures etc? Who can say?

One added bonus in this book, is on page 24, where a reproduction of Luca Cambiaso's block figure drawing is shown. I haven't found that on the internet, not anywhere. This demonstrates the method the Renaissance masters used to learn figure drawing, and is the singular key omitted from the faddish and gimmick drawing books ("Drawing On the Right Side of the Brain" etc) on the market today. These block figure or Simplified Figurettes were believed to have been passed around in pattern books to the students of the Rennaissance masters.

Luca Cambiaso, Genoese painter (1527-1585) began using simplified cubic shapes as a kind of shorthand drawing style, and is believed to have been the author of the method of dividing the human body into small squares in order to give correct proportions. We are so fortunate that some of his "pattern book" drawings are still in existence. All others seem to have vanished with time. Cambiaso was a man of little historical knowledge, but as an artist was distinguished by accurate drawing, clever composition, and fond of glowing color. He suffered deep melancholy after the early death of his wife.

When I first saw the Cambiaso block figure illustration in Parramon's book, it sort of reached out and "grabbed me" ...across the continents and through centuries of time.
It is a good thing, and right. Parramon seems to have had the same identification with Cambiaso, and I feel a bond with Parramon for that.

The pages containing a pattern for a cutout figure, referred to as the "articulated doll" seemed entirely unnecessary, unless one is so poor as to be unable to afford a wooden articulated artist's model for $10.00.

It's a disappointment to feel that an author is personally masterful of his craft, but somehow produces a book that yields only a glimmer of his brilliance. The publisher may have put restraints on Parramon; but when I thumbed through it, it made me sad that such a great light was bound my some absurd limitation. I am happy to have one in my library, just the same, and recommend that you look one over if you see it in the bookstore.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, October 16, 2009

By 

D. Ved (wa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Draw the Human Figure (Watson-Guptill Artists Library) (Paperback)

This is a perfect book for a beginner or someone getting back to figure drawing. The style is simple, clear and concise. There is no deluge of different poses, the author is not trying to impress the reader with his own figure drawing prowess like I see in other books. If I was that good, I wouldnt really be buying a book on it. I would be drawing in front of a canvas.

The guide to proportions is once again quick and easy. You can build on this book once you have the simple basics.

5.0 out of 5 stars BOOKSPART3!!!!!!!!!!, March 29, 2010

By 

Edwin Mateo - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How to Draw the Human Figure (Watson-Guptill Artists Library) (Paperback)

This books are very very particular for those painter who want to improve their skills............................

good choice.