Lessons in Classical Drawing: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier [Hardcover]

Juliette Aristides (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 15, 2011

The practice of drawing…distilled to its essential elements.
 
In this elegant and inspiring primer, master contemporary artist and author Juliette Aristides breaks down the drawing process into small, manageable lessons; introduces time-tested principles and techniques that are easily accessible; and shares the language and context necessary to understand the artistic process and create superior, well-crafted drawings.
 
The companion DVD enclosed inside, beautifully filmed in Florence, Italy, provides real-time drawing lessons so that any gaps in the learning process are filled in with live instruction.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

JULIETTE ARISTIDES studied at the National Academy of Design, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and various private ateliers. She is currently the instructor of the Aristides Classical Atelier at the Gage Academy of Art in Seattle, Washington. In 2003, Juliette was awarded the Elizabeth Greenshields Grant. Her work can be seen at the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco and the Art Renewal Center Living Masters Gallery, www.ArtRenewal.com.
 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (November 15, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082300659X
• ISBN-13: 978-0823006595
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.9 x 10 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Pencil

More About the Author

Juliette Aristides, whose beautiful art is featured throughout this book, is the founder and director of the Classical Atelier at the Seattle Academy of Fine Arts. She studied with realist master Jacob Collins and at the National Academy of Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

74 of 79 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent offering from Juliette Aristides. November 26, 2011

By Artist523

Format:Hardcover

This is another beautiful volume from artist, author Juliette Aristides. It is well made with a quality binding rarely seen in a book priced so reasonably. The profuse illustrations are meaningful, pertinent and include an appropriate scope of both contemporary and historic sources. The content is cogent and instructive, and the accompanying DVD was sufficiently inspiring that I just had to get out my sketchbook.

I am a portraitist who paints using renaissance technical traditions, and my belief is that this book offers a effective approach to the study and practice of drawing that seems to be a fulfillment of what was forseen as needed by gifted authors from the late 19th and early 20th century, like John Vanderpoel and Harold Speed. These authors wrote at a time when the extremely linear art instruction as practiced by the European academies was under concerted attack and dismantling, I think they foresaw the need for instruction of the type and scope offered here.

After first stumbling upon 'Classical Drawing Atelier', I've been pleased to add both 'Classical painting Atelier', as well as this newest volume, 'Lessons in Classical Drawing', to my library as soon as I looked them over. Though I've never met the author, I can't help but respect both her writing and her artwork. I suspect that anyone who appreciates art and especially those of you who are interested in the highest craft practiced in the visual arts will cherish her books as well.

Plus, if you are interested in really learning about representing and interpreting visual phenomenon (read; learning the discipline of drawing in it's highest, fullest forms), and you can't, for whatever reason, participate at a quality atelier, this is a very good place to begin as well as augment your studies.

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Destined to become a classic book on drawing December 8, 2011

By J. Masters

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book does extremely well in providing a thorough overview of the underlying principles of drawing. It progresses logically, is easy to understand, and is well illustrated with examples that make the concepts clear. You will find yourself immediately able to apply the ideas to your own drawings. Where this book really stands out is in the area of structure- that is to say, the "how to" when it comes to laying down the foundations of good proportions, values, etc., in the beginning stages of your drawing, so that in the later stages your foundation is solid. This is very helpful for those of us mere mortals who struggle with things like getting size and value relationships correct. I have many drawing books in my collection, but I find this one to be arguably the best when it comes to structure.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessons in Classical Drawing December 10, 2011

By K. Willoughby

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

For anyone who got their degree in the 90's when art schools were pushing abstract as its premier genre; and had wanted dared to pursue realism - this is the book to go for. The author keeps one engaged with informative yet lively dialogue of classical terms and forms. If you were to have one book and one book only on classical realism, this is the one to go for. Included is a DVD meant to supplement the information in this book. Excellent read, wonderful descriptive lessons!

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brava, Ms. Aristides December 20, 2011

By Design Maven

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is the most accessible book on classical drawing that I have ever read. I own all 3 of this author's books. This book is a whole new level of growth from Ms. Aristides. I feel with this volume her skills at teaching have exceeded her exceptional gifts in drawing. The lessons here will be familiar to advanced students while still offereing many valuable new insights. But it's not too over-the-head for a beginner to benefit. it's a fantastic opportunity to learn from a master. The DVD really helps to underscore the lessons in the book and get a better understanding of the author's voice. For those who are serious about improving their drawing skills, I could not recommend any book more highly.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Classic on Drawing December 5, 2011

By Suzanne Burnell

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed this book. I think it will go down as one of the classic books on drawing. The writing is clear, the approach valuable and the author's/artist's writing style is very personable and encouraging. The companion CD is also really helpful and adds a powerful extra dimension to the book. I love good books on art technique and this is one of them.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Best ever drawing book November 15, 2011

By Franklin Wolf

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book carefully and comfortably teaches the art of drawing. It make me feel that I can do it. It has a step by step guide that walks you from a blank page to a work of art.
Amazing.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Juliette Aristides best effort yet. March 19, 2012

By Reviewer

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I have two previous books by Juliette Aristides - both are overviews of painting and drawing (no easy task) this book focuses a little more on technique and specific exercises. The highlights:

a. beautiful reproductions and well chosen examples of master drawings both from old masters and contemporary artists.
b. insightful commentary. Although this is about technique - Aristides never loses sight of the 'big picture' (which by the way is an essential technique!)
c. More in-depth surveys' of drawing techniques including master copying, rythmn and line.

There is no substitute for an atelier and working with a master, but this book is as close as it comes.

In her book "the creative habit" Twyla Tharp recounts a story of a master ballerina coming to a basic dance class and going through the 'basics' at the barre. She goes on to say that masters always practice and never lose site of the fundamentals. For that reason alone all artists, beginners and especially advanced artists, should have this on their bookshelves.

There are a LOT of drawing books out there, but this is one of the best published in recent years.