Customer Reviews

The Nude Female Figure: A Visual Reference for the Artist

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I own and have used in the distant past Mr. Smiths previous books on the figure. I used them in place of unavailable models back in the day. It might seem that this type of book is a bit obsolete, what with the availability of images on the internet. And there are a few images on the net. The problem with 99.999999% of those images is the reason they were created. The interest of pornographers (soft or hardcore) is arousal. The lighting used is more often than not shot with a ring flash, the result being maximum exposure of the notty bits in a not unpleasant image and not much more. What this book provides, as best a photo can, is good lighting used to show off the form. Not easy to do well. The models are all in color. If one wanted another facet toward drawing mastery, I would hightly recomend this book as a workshop. Do some layovers with tracing paper on the actual images drawing the muscles and important boney points. And then draw from the figure. Drawing from the live model is important in learning to draw well, but not everyone has that opportunity. This is another great way toward that goal. Don't listen to those blowhards who say you cannot create good work from photographs. Eakins thought he could and many consider him one of our greatest American artists. There you go. Buy the book. Have fun!!

Over two hundred color photos by photographer Mark Edward Smith capture women of all types in a range of classic poses, both traditional full-body and with close-ups of hands and feet as well. Accompanying these photos are an organization by type of pose, which allows for a quick visual reference for photographers. Any collection appealing to photographers and artists will find THE NUDE FEMALE FIGURE: A VISUAL REFERENCE FOR THE ARTIST an invaluable reference.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

The photos are well done and there is some variety in the body types and ethnicities of the models. The hand shots were very good and a few shots of the models were exceptional. I would, however, prefer a bit more variation in the models and I would KILL for some single light source photos to draw and paint from for practice. But overall ... not bad.

The pictures are well taken and very usefull for art study, to use as models for paintings and other art.

this is a great resource book for those artists who do not have the time or money to be able to meet up with a figure drawing group. Also it is good if you do not know of a local group to join.

I have the Author's previous book and when I saw his new one I had to have it.
I love that a few of the models are more "real sized" as most books tend to only have athletic or thin shaped women.
I love the pregnant figgure section as always.
The hands and feet are a real treat.

The first piece of advice I can give you when you are considering to buy this book is that by 'artist', Mr. Smith is not talking about photographers. I bought this book mostly thinking about a guide for posing the few ladies who allow me to use them as my photography subject. Nevertheless, I think it is not too useful in that sense. The poses are not necessarily the more elegant or stylish you can find, and you can think on your own of a few better way to pose your model.

On the other hand, if what you're looking for is a reference for drawing or sculpting, this is probably your book (specially for the former). It shows you women from all sizes, and most larger ethnic groups you can find, in many different poses, just asking for you to take a pencil and a piece of paper and start drawing.

i've had this book for about 6 months, and have used several of the pictures to draw and paint from. it has lovely pictures of a wide range of lovely women, and i think that the photographer did a good job capturing a range of moods and textures.

i agree with another reviewer that some pictures with a single light source would be nice. there are a lot of action and unconventional poses, but it would also be nice to have some more classical poses.

i think that the main reason that i'm not that overwhelmed is because figure drawing/painting from a book is so much less inspiring than in person. which isn't anything that the photographer could have done, but i've just ended up using this book less than i'd imagined i would.

overall, it's a nice resource for practice but it's not what i would call inspiring.

I had a need for a reference of body structure. The book I selected was exactly what I needed. I will keep this book forever and will be able to use it many times. I was very satisfied with this book.

It is a photo reference for female nudes in different poses, and they are clear and easy to see. My major problem with this book and books like this one is no real variation of body types or anything really new or inspiring. No views from below or above or in unusual lighting conditions. I wish there had been some older women and just more variety.