Reviews (3)

Classic for Serious Art Students
This book is a classic.It is used as a textbook in Florence, Italy for serious drawing classes with excellent results.

a treasury of lost teachings
This book is essential for those students who wish to study art seriously, and to make themselves capable enough draftmen in order to paint. It is a complete reproduction of the "fabled but rare" drawing course used in Gerome's studio in nineteenth century Paris, comprising multiple levels of cast drawings, master-copies and linear life-drawings designed specifically to train the student's eye for painting. a treasury of lost teachings
This book is essential for those students who wish to study art seriously, and to make themselves capable enough draftmen in order to paint. It is a complete reproduction of the "fabled but rare" drawing course used in Gerome's studio in nineteenth century Paris, comprising multiple levels of cast drawings, master-copies and linear life-drawings designed specifically to train the student's eye for painting. Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Individual Artist    3. Reference    4. Study & Teaching   

Reviews (11)

not beautiful, but certainly effective and fun
This book is set up much like a textbook and would work well for an independent study in design. It has clearly organized chapters with projects at the end of each; the projects work on a theoretical and practical basis, and allow the student to employ a hands-on approach. It is fun, engaging, easy to follow, and manages to be technical without feeling pompous. It takes the designer from inspiration and mood boards to the final designs and a cohesive line. It breaks down the process into smaller tasks in the most fun way I have yet seen.
Too basic
I was looking for a more detail book and I found this one too basic.

made the right decision
i have been going to community college for a while now and i have always wanted to be creative so i decided to go to Institute of Design and Technology for fashion design i start 06/10/2006 and bought this book to inspire me. Well in reading this book i know that i have made the right decision for myself. And actually cant wait to start even though i was a little intimated at first due to no experience reading this book has opened up many possiblties. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Commercial - Fashion Design    4. Design - Textile & Costume    5. Fashion    6. Fashion drawing    7. Study & Teaching    8. Techniques - Drawing - Specific Subjects    9. Art / Fashion   

Reviews (15)

book review
This is an outstanding introduction to drawing with exercises along with the text.It is like a course with the lab included.Starts with the basics.If you actually do the exercises, it's a lot of work but well worth it.By beginning one's drawing with this book, one can easily understand any others on the subject.It's a perfect - Drawing 101 - course.
Very helpful book for serious beginners
The book provides excellent instructions to master the foundation for good drawing. I have a very competent and professionally successful instructor. He has pointed out to me the areas that I need to improve. The book has become my 'in-home instructor' now. I needed to work on my perspective(mostly for objects above eye level), tonal values (light and shadow, reflections within and transitions) and translating the local color to black and white(the author has done a great job explaining this). After completing just one exercise, I could see significant improvement in my drawing. I highly recommend the book.

Wonderful book for both beginner & expert
I'm an instructor for digital art online and find this book to be a MUST for ANY artist.It has lots of illustrations and simple, well-written explanations!I would recommend it to any of my students who want to know theory and application, from perspective to tones and shading.Everything is in black and white, so you can really see the tonal changes in the renderings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Drawing    4. Study & Teaching    5. Study and teaching    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Techniques - General    8. Art techniques & materials    9. Drawing & drawings   

Reviews (25)

Very Accessible
I use this book for a survey course for undergraduate and graduate students who are non-art majors.It is far more accessible than most texts of thos type, and far less detailed and costly as well.A perfect start for someone trying to grasp the basic concepts involved.I recommend it highly for that purpose.

Perfect book for High School Art Teacher
This is the perfect reference book for a high school art teacher. It covers the main artists for the time periods listed on the cover. Great pictures, artwork, and art history. The book is easy to read. It makes art history painless.

help me pass the art: content knowledge praxis
This book was KEY in helping me study for the art: content knowledge praxis exam. Much less time consuming then "Gardner's art through the ages", this book is broken down - not dumbed down. the facts are accurate and more than half of what i read was on the test. this book paired with "the art teacher's book of list" are perfect study aids for this exam. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. History    4. History - General    5. Outlines, syllabi, etc    6. Study & Teaching    7. Art / General    8. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (27)

Body guide for art
Very good surce of material for developing paints, draws and even sculpture.

Pretty pictures, not much information
I was looking for a book that would give me real understanding of the way that muscles connect to bones and how they work in motion. This book doesn't do that, and some of the drawings of muscles are so stylized as to be almost useless -like the drawing of muscles of the shoulder on page 103, which seems to have been compressed vertically simply because it looks cooler that way.
Beautiful photos, could use morefull body shots showing face
The photos and book are beautiful.I am happy with the book in that regard.Also it has a wealth of information necessary for a solid education in figure drawing.The transparent overlays of muscle over skeletal structure is great.I would have liked to have seen more full body shots, head to toe, with faces pointed towards the viewer.Really though, it is an invaluable addition to my artistic reference library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anatomy, Artistic    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Artistic anatomy    5. Figure drawing    6. Human figure in art    7. Pictorial works    8. Reference    9. Study & Teaching    10. Techniques - General    11. Techniques - Life Drawing    12. Art / Techniques    13. Art, Architecture & Photography   

Reviews (65)

Excellent Read! Worth every cent!
This book gave me a sense of purpose and an understanding of my whole approach to art and the art-making process. You will be guided to discover your own voice of expression. I believe every artist, writer, photographer, musician, creator should get this book. You will love it!
Art & Fear
A thoughtful and insightful guide to dealing with the various twists and turns of making art: from dealing with inner fears about success (or failure), how to keep doing art when others are critical of your style, how to get the most out of going to art school, and much more. A sweet little book to refer to when the going gets rough and you need someone to believe in you!

Buy This
I've never finished the book. It's so well written that all you need is in first three pages. Maybe all I need?
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Criticism    4. Study & Teaching    5. Art / General   

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. American - General    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Art, American    6. Artists as teachers    7. European    8. Exhibitions    9. France    10. History - General    11. Paris    12. Study & Teaching    13. Art / General    14. History of art & design styles: c 1800 to c 1900   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (2)

great for art theorists and paper writing!
This book contains several essential essays for anyone studying contemporary art theory.It is an extremely theoretical book, not to be undertaken lightly.It would help if you had a basic background in some theoretical discourse.
Very good book on theories of contemporary art
I am an honor student in Visual Art at UVIC. This is my text book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Art, Modern    5. History - Contemporary (1945- )    6. History - Modern (Late 19th Century to 1945)    7. Philosophy    8. Study & Teaching    9. ART, MODERN_20TH CENTURY    10. ART_PHILOSOPHY    11. Art / History / General    12. Art styles: c 1960 -    13. Theory of art   

Reviews (15)

Say "cheese" cake
I ordered this book because of the glowing reviews.Even the review that was negative sited "faults" that I view as pluses. I returned this book as soon as it arrived because I found the poses to be cliched cheese cake for the most part.

YOU MUST PURCHASE THIS BOOK
This book is essential for all artists. each shot is posed and designed so beautifully, that it reaches the level of perfection. your drawings will tremendiously improve if you study from THE FEMALE NUDE I. it's impossible to flip through the book, without getting an intense desire to draw. and then you sit in awe, from the fact that a book can have such an impact on you. YOU MUST PURCHASE THIS BOOK!!!!!

A MUST MUST ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE... and here's why
If you really want to learn to draw... buy this book. Don't hesitate. This is the best pose book I have ever seen! Carefully designed by an artist for artists. Each pose is a full page. It's in black and white, so you can really work out your values / tones without getting distracted by color. The model is perfection itself, not a stick figure but curvy, streamlined with amazing muscle tone. Loads of varied poses and so well arranged. She poses barefoot and in heels. In heels she strikes a totally different attitude, you don't see this in other books. No dull expressionless faces, she's alive from head to toe. Having a great model is half way to a great drawing.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art / Study & Teaching    2. Art / Subjects & Themes / Human Figure    3. Art / Techniques / Life Drawing    4. Art    5. Artists' models    6. Figure drawing    7. Figure painting    8. Nude in art    9. Study & Teaching    10. Subjects & Themes - Human Figure    11. Techniques - Life Drawing    12. Women in art   

Reviews (41)

Mostly good with a bit of nonsense
All the stuff about "R-mode" and "L-mode" is really just pop-science. Like Freud before it, and as is the current trend with "memetics", it's a popular idea which people use to pigeonhole and explain social and psychological phenomenon which rely more on theory than anything else. Edwards makes the all-too-often assumption that any difficulty facing a potential artist is the "right-brain's fault". And after the first few chapters it gets really tedious. I wouldn't be surprised if she read this review and said to me that my "right-brain" is tricking me into thinking it's not really doing anything ;o)
can't say enough good things!
i can't say enough good things about this book. the explanations make sense, the exercises progress logically, and each one pushes your limits a little bit more. my drawing skills have improved immensely, and i'm only 1/2 way through the book. the basis of good painting is having a good drawing and sense of the perspective in your subject. without the ability to "see" what you're looking at, paintings will come out less than stellar - this book will prepare you to be able to "see" the way an artist sees. buy it!

Response to Bruce R. Bain
For those who can already do "that", it must be difficult to appreciate that some of us can't do "that", so for us non-"that"ers, doing "this" in order to do "that" can be stunning!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Cerebral dominance    4. Drawing    5. Study & Teaching    6. Technique    7. Techniques    8. Visual perception    9. Art / General   

Reviews (8)

Buy it and keep it for reference
Wow! A very nice book for learning perspective for artists (without even one formula!). As an artist you must obay to the laws of perspective for your creation to become natural.
easiest way to learn perspective
It's funny that reviewers are saying that this book still holds up for being written in 1939, as if our eyeballs have evolved since then.
Easy to Understand
Good, solid, workmanlike explanation of perspective, described step by step.Plain language, no wasted words.Clear drawings.Do the assignments, it's like taking a class you'd pay $350 for.I've tried to learn perspective from other books, but they were too complicated.This is THE classic.Every illustrator needs it.I use this knowledge every day. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Design - General    4. Drawing    5. Perspective    6. Study & Teaching    7. Technique    8. Techniques - Drawing    9. Art / Techniques    10. Art techniques & principles    11. Drawing & drawings   

Reviews (1)

Working the Muse to Creative Delight
A brand new creative tool for the artistic life. New tools and guidance from artist's way creator Julia Cameron. Excellent for the journey along with Morning Pages, Artist Dates, and all the other goodies that Cameron has shared to artists around the world since 1992. Give the gift of the creative heart to yourself... you will be surprised in your dreams! I had heard of the Artist's Way in college and read a copy from time to time but when I really applied the practice in 2004 ... Cameron's informal mentoring did the trick to unblock my creative expression. My artistic dreams were focused on literary pursuits but a sudden interest in singing caught a life of its own when I joined a formal Artist's Way group composed of 7 people. Before I knew it the practice lead to a solo performance at a cancer benefit gala show where I sung "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack and was told I sounded alot like her. Nonetheless, if Cameron herself had told me in 2003 that I would be a singer (I've since joined a choir that does fundraisers around the city) ... even I would have laughed! The point is ... if you want your heart to lead the way ... allow the artist to thrive and express itself without intellectual editing ... and see your creative experiences soar! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Conceptual    3. Creativity    4. Personal Growth - General    5. Personal Guidance    6. Psychology    7. Study & Teaching    8. Self-Help / Creativity   

Reviews (15)

Lack of vision
This art instruction manual is aptly titled as it is about "survival", offering hassle-free recipe- driven art projects for masses of students.If you were a public school student in the last 40 years the projects will look depressingly familiar--the obligatory construction papermask, the linoleum block print, the paper mache' animal.What is lacking is an overriding vision of what students may achieve.The "goals" are largely stated by listing vocabulary words but the opportunities for real discovery are thin indeed.As an artteacher of 20 years, I would never rely on construction paper for collage as it is impossible to produce anything with richness from such flat uninteresting papers.The student block print examples show the medium at its least interesting with the images mostly being reverse outline, little exploration of shape or figure-ground reversal.Moreover, it is criminal that a book purporting to be about the development of the visual sense should have reproductions of such appalling quality.Some of them are clearly printing errors since all one can see are dark gray rectangles with a few hints of light.The student examples were grim and to me this is the book's greatest failing.The strength of an art instruction book to me usually lies in the student examples.Mona Brooks and Kaupelis (first name escapes me) produce inspiring books on the basis of their student work alone.On a positive note, the book is well- organized.It could possibly serve as a jumping off point to a teacher with experience and initiative, but for the most part it perpetuates the predictable, mind-numbing experience of the all-too typical30 minute public school art block.

Survival It for Elementary Art Teachers
Wonderful resource for classroom teachers without formal art training.Plenty of useful information and easy, understandable projects

A great help for both new and experienced educators
I have been teaching art to children for nearly 7 years now, as well as having had my own fifth grade homeroom for 4 years, and this book is still a great resource.I bought it because I had borrowed it from another art educator and found it too helpful to miss.Some are new tips, some reminders, and loads of great projects.My only complaint is that the student work examples were horribly photographed and are often too dark and thus disappointing but still somewhat readable.Knowing this, I still bought it for the great content. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Elementary    4. Study & Teaching    5. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    6. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    7. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General   

Reviews (5)

A great aid to overcoming "Artist's Block"
The New Ceative Artist by Nita Leyland is a very useful addition to the library of any painter, regardless of the medium he or she uses.It is especially good to read when you go through that period that every artist experiences, when you feel you have lost your essential creativity and feel you have nothing to say.
"Riveting!Energizing!Exploding Graphics!
{This review is by Kate Eglan-Garton, Senior Editor of the Art-to-Art Palette -[...]}
The New Creative Artist will stir your creativity!
I have just received a complimentary copy of Nita Leland's new book
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.)    4. Creativity    5. Psychology    6. Psychology Of Art    7. Reference    8. Study & Teaching    9. Techniques - General    10. Art techniques & materials   

Reviews (25)

Great reference
For those of us who don't want to have to find out when the local art school has models coming in, or don't want to look at tons of porn trying to find something for reference, this book and its predecessors are perfect.

Disappointing
Great idea but poor execution. The photos are much too small to do any serious work with. The photos on disk are grainy and get even worse when you try to enlarge them.

fantastic!
Artists that seek to master the human figure very quickly come to the realization that unless you're married or are in a committed relationship (and have a partner patient enough to be your model), you don't have access to a model 24/7. This is the next best thing to having a live model. You purchase this product for the CD - the book is meant more as a reference for the CD images. Virtual Pose allows you to view photos of a live model from every angle and zoom in. There are dozens of poses from both female and male models, each of which can be rotated 360 degrees. Highly recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Study & Teaching    4. Subjects & Themes - Human Figure    5. Techniques - General    6. Art techniques & materials    7. Drawing & drawings    8. Human figures depicted in art   

Reviews (4)

Buyer BEWARE!!!! Buy it used!
This was originally a fabulous 4-color printed book, but, it has been reprinted with very poor quality black & white photocopy looking pages. I contacted the "publisher" who basically said tough luck, this is business, and this is how we make our money. Buy it used!!! Because as you may have figured out, an art education book with low quality black and white examples is worth it's weight in beans!

40 Year Friendship
I bought this book almost 40 years ago. I was surprised and pleased to see that it is still "thee" book. Everytime I get stuck for help, I go to this book. Now I am planning courses to teach pre-school teachers in Japan. "Thee" book is open once more. Any chance it is available in Japanese? Thanks Lowenfeld and Brittain!!!

Meeting with the Titians
As I finish my final weeks as an art education major, I have tried to complete a reference guide for some of my friends that I will be leaving behind in my department. Other than books by Dr. George Szekely, Viktor Lowenfeld's book "Creative and Mental Growth" stands as the 'bible' for the educator, period. Art isn't "frill" or "elective classes" to children, it is the way of life. Without the understanding of how children view their world and how it does bend toward creative expression, a teacher is simply stumbling around in the darkness. In this stumbling a teacher may find a light switch from time to time. However, join the rest of us with the "torch" of post-modern education with Mr. Lowenfeld's book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Artists    3. Child artists    4. Creation (Literary, artistic,    5. Creation (Literary, artistic, etc.)    6. Education    7. Elementary    8. Elementary School Creative And Manual Arts    9. General    10. Psychology    11. Secondary School Creative And Manual Arts    12. Study & Teaching    13. Study and teaching    14. Teaching Methods & Materials - Arts & Humanities    15. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / Arts & Humanities    16. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles   

Reviews (13)

Now I get it...
I am not an artist, at least, that is not what I've gone to school for (I am a History professor).But Betty Edwards' books, over the past couple of decades, have helped me to draw like I know what I am doing. And now I know more about color and the art of mixing acrylics.
Not recommended.There are better books on color.
I admit it: I was suckered into buying this book on the strength of Dr. Edwards' classic, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.So how does one repeat the success of a classic?Well, this book sure isn't it!
Finally!I understand color!!
It is interesting to read the reviews on a book like this and then to finally get the book to decide its quality for myself.Sometimes, my opinion is so different from some of the reviews that I wonder if we were reading the same book!That is the case with this book.I think that it is outstanding!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Color Theory    4. Color in art    5. Graphic Arts - Use of Color    6. Art / Study & Teaching    7. Art techniques & materials   

Reviews (41)

Good for drawing "live"
Very usefull, very pleasant to read. I was expecting more explanations about the relationship between anatomy and the human pose, but it's more about how to look at the model to draw it well.

Thank God for an excellent figurative painter!
Ryder's book is a delight to leaf through, looking at the excellent life drawings in red earth, done with the same accuracy and passion as the masters of the past.
Excellent, but...
The general consensus of the reviews I've read is that this is a fine book, but not for beginners.My take is somewhat different.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Figure drawing    4. Study & Teaching    5. Technique    6. Techniques - Drawing    7. Techniques - Life Drawing    8. Art techniques & materials    9. Drawing & drawings   

Reviews (1)

Expanding the Frame of Educational Thinking
Review by Arnold Aprill from
Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Study & Teaching   

Reviews (44)

Overrated
I can not believe anyone has ever learned to draw the human figure from this book. Even people who give it good reviews generally mention that they've had some prior class experience or say that the book is an advanced work. I'll go further and say that this is the very worst book any beginner could possibly pick up. Bottom line is that the explanatory text and the content of the instructional material itself make this book of limited value to an intermediate artist and utterly useless to the beginner.
Interesting Anatomy Showcase
Very well drawn figures with insightful commentary help the reader learn interesting ways of drawing anatomy using not only drawings but words aswell.
Does not give any instruction
This book contains a great deal of very well crafted drawings, obviously the author knows what he is doing, but my main problem with this book is that the author fails to give detailed, specific "how to" information.There are no steps to follow, the author just comments on his own drawings throwing tidbits here and there to the reader.I found myself with paper and pencil and this book before me and I did not know what to do.Should I just copy his drawings?Why not draw from life then?What should the reader be doing?It's as if the book were a seminar instead of a class which has projects and lessons.I honestly don't understand what everybody else is getting from this book.I felt like I was trying to put a cabinet together with chinese instructions...If he or any of his students decide to make another book, they should consider making one that gives step by step instruction... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Figure Drawing    4. Study & Teaching    5. Techniques - Drawing    6. Techniques - Life Drawing    7. Art techniques & materials    8. Drawing & drawings