The Human Form In Art

This dramatic compilation of 166 studies — photographs, line drawings, and sculptures — serves as both an exhilarating exhibition and an important reference for anatomy, proportion, and motion.

Classic treatment by a master teacher features 430 pencil and charcoal illustrations depicting fundamental features of human anatomy. Topics include shading, curvature, proportion, foreshortening, muscular tension, and much more.

Anatomy for Artists is an extensive collection of photography and drawings for artists of all mediums portraying the human form.

This guide to the proportions of the human form is a reformatted reproduction of the famous but hard to find work by Johann Gottfried Shadow. It includes images of plates engraved by John Sutcliffe from the English translation, and images of the original German plates. The original was a huge book, each plate was 24" by 19" for this version the large plates were photographed to reproduce them on a single page, but also reproduced in sections so they can be seen as large as possible. It includes an introduction, a history of the study of human proportion and a description of the plates plus the original German plates reproduced on single pages. Schadow based based his work on the pioneering work of the Greek Sculptor Polycletus who both wrote a treatise on human proportion and sculpted a figure to illustrate his work. Polycletus was among the creators of classical Greek sculpture, famous for his naturalism.

This richly illustrated book focuses on an unusually and rarely elucidated subject in the world of Islamic art: human depictions. Through seventy-five important works of Islamic art from the David Collection in Copenhagen, Denmark, The Human Figure in Islamic Art focuses on an unusually and rarely elucidated subject in the world of Islamic art: human depictions. Depictions of man were considered objectionable from an orthodox Muslim point of view since only God can create life, and man should not try to emulate God's work. There was concern that depictions or those who were depicted could be worshipped, something that went against the dogma that only God, Allah, should be the object of worship. The book describes how, despite this reluctance, portraying human figures has nonetheless always played an important role in Islamic art. The human figure is found on many kinds of utility ware, but the motif also has a long and rich tradition especially in miniature painting. The paintings in the book largely feature princes, but also holy men and quite ordinary people in the form of illustrations for works of fiction, depictions of real-life events, and true portraits. This richly illustrated book covers the use of the human figure in many of the forms of Islamic art and describes some of the historical conditions and theological discussions behind it. Light is also shed on the mutual influence of Islamic and European art.

Artistic Anatomy is widely acknowledged to be the greatest book of its kind since the Renaissance. The original French edition, now a rare collector's item, was published in 1889 and was probably used as a resource by Renoir, Braque, Degas, Bazille, and many others. The English-language edition, first published 35 years ago, brings together the nineteenth century's greatest teacher of artistic anatomy, Paul Richer, and the twentieth century's most renowned teacher of anatomy and figure drawing, Robert Beverly Hale, who translated and edited the book for the modern reader. Now Watson-Guptill is proud to reissue this dynamic classic with an anniversary sticker, sure to inspire drawing students well into our century.

How contemporary artists draw the human figure in an affordable, up-to-date and well-illustrated survey, covering an eclectic range of drawing styles and media Drawing Peopleis a thoughtful and beautifully illustrated survey of the most compelling and inventive drawings of the human form being produced today by 70 contemporary artists from around the world. An introduction places the medium of drawing in its historical context, discussing its intersection with photography, painting, collage and illustration, as well as its ability to intimately express thought, personality and emotion, as well as fundamental questions about identity. Five chapters―Body, Self, Personal Lives, Social Realityand Fictions―include short introductions outlining each theme, followed by generously illustrated profiles on individual artists exploring their style, approach to the medium and the ideas, narratives and inspirations that lie behind their mark-making. A selection of finely reproduced images highlights the latest work by each artist. Drawing Peoplefeatures an international roster of artists working with pencil, ink, watercolor, charcoal and crayon, including Francis Alÿs, Charles Avery, Louise Bourgeois, Francesco Clemente, Adam Dant, Marlene Dumas, Dr. Lakra, Paul McCarthy, Nalini Malani, Wangechi Mutu, Raymond Pettibon, Rosemarie Trockel, Tal R, Marcel Dzama, Barry McGee, Amy Sillman and Kara Walker. Together, their drawings and sketches, illustrations and animations bring to life one of the most creatively rich and emotionally powerful forms of art being made today. An essential book for students and practicing artists.

Anatomy for the Artist is a book by artists for artists, and presents a dynamic visual record of the fundamental characteristics and creative possibilities of the human form. For hundreds of years' artists have developed their skills by drawing the human body. Bones and muscles, although largely hidden from view, reveal a great deal about us and are key components of expression. All artists need to understand how these structures affect movement and posture, creating character and making what are general physical attributes entirely personal. No unnecessary medical jargon is included, only visually stunning yet accurate artworks, showing the artist what he needs to know in order to bring the human form to life.