Customer Reviews

Modelling and Sculpting the Human Figure (Dover Art Instruction)

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This seminal work on figure sculpting has been a standard reference for both students and teachers of fine sculpture for almost two generations. Lanteri goes beyond typical systematic instruction for recreating anatomical form and demistifies techniques for infusing one's work with the humanity that will elevate it to the level of true sculpture. It is a text that is worth reading from cover to cover as it essentially encompasses a four year course in fine sculpture. It is also valuable as a reference for materials, anatomy and basic technique.

After several years of sculpting I discovered Lanteri's book. What a revelation. I recently took a workshop with an acclaimed sculptor who also produced his copy of the book and recommended it as a "must read" for aspiring sculptors. Rodin referred to him as his "dear master". What higher recommendation is there?

Boy! Buying this book has been a difficult choice. The information is essential to anyone working with human anatomy and sculptural form, however, you have to wade throught information written in a very dated, pedantic manner. Professor Lanteri's comments are in the classical form and written so long ago (his copyright is 1902 - 1904) that an interpreter might be needed for the younger sculptor. I almost returned the book because it isn't something to sit down and read in one or two sessions. This isn't a simple 'How to . . .' book, but if you are a serious sculptor, and willing to work your way throught the exaggerated writing style, you'll realize what a gem it is. It is really the most comprehensive book of sculpting the human figure I've ever read. I only wish the book had been printed in larger format so the illustration notes would be easier to read.

This book was recommended to me by two different sculptor instructors. I found it very clear with many illustrations as it discussed both the technical and aesthetic considerations of creating good sculpture. I thought the chapter on the construction and aesthetics of drapery was especially valuable, applicable to drawing as well as sculpture, and worth the price of the book. Lanteri also shares a few thoughts about teaching art.

This book was recommended to me (as a beginning sculptor) by a well-established sculptor, and he was right in recommending it. I am not through reading it all, but it isn't the type of book you would really sit down and read from beginning to end. It is a great resource for figure sculptors. My biggest issue with this book is that it has so many pages in a small format that it is a thick book that requires the reader to prop open a page with something heavy if you want to refer to a drawing or text WHILE sculpting. It is really the type of book that should come in a loose-leaf binder.

A very good course material for beginners and a perfect reference for the professionals. easy reading from cover to cover.

this is the essential text for figure sculptors. if you intend to take figure sculpting seriously you must have this book. i've appreciated my copy as a dear friend for many years & regardless of the many other books i've read in the same vein, this is the one book that i'd probably run in & grab from a burning building.. though thanks to amazon & the like i can just order another copy instead. cheers. p.s in fact i got my copy as fire damaged stock from when the local library burned down.

this is truly one of those books that should not be judge by its cover, it is a bible of guidance for anyone truly interested in sculpture ,this among my books is one of my favorites, and belive me I own a few...you can't go wrong with this one

A little hard to read because of the time it was written, to small of lettering,for a old man like me,but man. This is, in itself, a work of art. Filled with ton,s of information,not only on the physical part of sculpture but the emotional inner feeling of being an artist.

I used this book to learn how to sculpt realistic human faces and heads out of modelling chocolate. I found quickly that while it has great depth of information in terms of muscular structure, I was able to skim that for the pertinent details relative to my project and skip the rest. I appreciate that Lanteri took the time to list all of the names of the different facial muscles, but I didn't need to learn them in order to work my project.

The advice about using different lighting, the breakdown and order of construction of facial elements, emulating hair, and other instructions were extremely helpful. At a meeting of my local cake club, I did a demonstration of how I made the head on my award-winning Wolverine cake based on Lanteri's book and told everyone that this book is a vital manual should any of them wish to attempt to construct a realistic human sculpture.

The instructions for clay translate well to modelling chocolate, so I highly recommend this book for any cake artist looking for tips on how to branch beyond cartoonish figures.

That being said, where it fell short for me was the assumption that I'd have the subject in person before me in order to use calipers for measurements. Since Hugh Jackman hasn't yet seen fit to come to my kitchen to be measured, I had to go by a series of images found online. I recognize that Lanteri's book predates using Google Images for sculptural inspiration, but I really could have used a lot more advice on translating two-dimensional images into a three-dimensional form. I tried to wing it on my own via lots of measurements and ratio calculations, and got close, but not quite right.

All in all, I recommend it to those who have varying levels of experience but a high level of patience and willingness to go slowly and practice. The instructions should work well for a variety of media including clay, modelling chocolate, polymer clay, or anything else that can be kept soft for long-term working.