Dynamic Figure Drawing (Paperback)

~ (Author) "At some point in the art student's development, figure drawing reaches a stage where better performance becomes the norm..." (more)
Key Phrases: pelvic wedge, front view leg, torso masses (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Figure drawing is the most essential--and the most difficult--of all skills for the artist to learn. In this book, Bruce Hogarth, one of the founders of the School of Visual Arts in New York, introduces his own revolutionary system of figure drawing, which makes it possible to visualize and accurately render the forms of the human body from every conceivable point of view. 300+ drawings & diagrams.

About the Author

Burne Hogarth’s (1911–1996) remarkable career spanned over 60 years. He wore many hats in the worlds of fine art, art education, and art publishing. He is most famous for his internationally syndicated Sunday newspaper color page feature “Tarzan” (1937–1950) and for his illustrated adaptations of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels Tarzan of the Apes and Jungle Tales of Tarzan. A co-founder of the School of Visual Arts in New York City, Hogarth remains one of the most influential figures in art education today.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; 1st edition (August 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823015777
• ISBN-13: 978-0823015771
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,738 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #5 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Figure Drawing
  #14 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Reference > Study & Teaching
  #30 in	Books > Nonfiction > Education > Instruction Method

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not an anatomy book for everyone, December 8, 1999

By	"bjorn-toby-wilde" (Royal Oak, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Subtlety is certainly not the strong point of this book. If you want realistic figures, look elsewhere like the Barcsay anatomy book. DYNAMIC FIGURE DRAWING doesn't explore the nuances of quiet poses or the beauty in overweight, underweight, or aged figures.

But if you aspire to draw or paint powerful, idealistic, and expressionistic figures, combine the lessons of this book with drawing from athletic models. If you're into Michelangelo with his use of larger-than-life figures that use exaggerated poses and anatomy to convey strong emotion, you'll like this book.

After practicing the lessons inside the book, you'll be able to spot and draw them better when you draw from a model. Your powerful figures will have more authority to them. And with enough figure drawing under your belt, plus what you've learned from this book, you'll be able to draw figures out of your head in any position you want them in.

The Disney animated feature "Tarzan" was obviously inspired by Burne Hogarth's version of the comic strip "Tarzan." The animators learned many lessons from Hogarth, including foreshortening and dynamic poses and anatomy. I'll bet this book was an important reference to whoever worked on that film.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another former student weighs in..., March 24, 2001

By	skunktrain (So. California, USA) - See all my reviews

I had two semesters with Mr. Hogarth at Otis Art College in Los Angeles. He was a remarkable teacher, and his drawing style, and teaching style, is certainly "dynamic". All his books are great, but "Dynamic Figure Drawing" is a particular favorite. While you may find Hogarth's comic book roots not to your taste (and you don't want to have your art look too "Hogarth") - don't deprive yourself of his books. He has much to offer, and many details about the figure that are very valuable. My drawing has been forever impacted and improved because of what he taught me - in class and from his books.

Just because you absorb much from his books (and you will) it doesn't follow that you will adopt his "comic book" style as well. Learn from him, and many other artists' works, and consider yourself well-rounded!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars secrets of figure drawing from imagination revealed, July 12, 2000

By	Siju Thomas (India) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a must buy book for artists,animators comic book artists,or enthusiasts of figure drawing,who have dreamed of drawing foreshortened human figuresand human figures in action from memory/imagination. This book doesnt contain realistic anatomy,the author uses his own verson of human anatomy toexplain his methods andprinciples,these have to be taken as tools only and not rules. But after you have practised from this book hard enough you will find that your life drawing speed and skill is miles further than when you started,i also recommend the other books by burne hogarth ,dynamic anatomy,drawing dynamic hands, dynamic heads,dynamic light and shade and dynamic wrinkles and drapery.Only one word of caution its very easy to get influenced by burne hogarths work,and your work might start looking like a clone of his.So the key is get inspired not influenced ,keep your own style and use this book to add to that.