The Human Figure (Dover Anatomy for Artists) - Softcover

Vanderpoel, John H

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1626543410 ISBN 13: 9781626543416

Publisher: Echo Point Books & Media, 2016

Synopsis

This classic study of human anatomy for artists remains unrivaled in its meticulously detailed presentation of each fundamental feature of the human figure. Legendary art instructor John H. Vanderpoel compiled this volume toward the end of his tenure at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1907. Ever since, it has been read like a bible by thousands of figure drawing students around the world.

The Human Figure is notable for its careful examination of the thousands of features that, together, compose the human body. Every detail is discussed-the gentle overhang of the upper lip; the slight puckering at the corners of the mouth; how the spine appears 'depressed' when juxtaposed with the muscular fullness of the shoulders on either side-and 430 of the author's own charcoal and pencil drawings bring them to life. In addition to cataloging bodily features and their interactions, this book calls your attention to innumerable subtle points of shading, lighting, curvature, proportion, foreshortening, muscular tension, etc. around the body. Vanderpoel also accounts for an array of physical variations across age groups, sexes, and body types, providing examples of each throughout. A time-honored approach to artistically rendering the human figure, this book is a complete course in truly understanding the structure of the human figure.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

This great classic is still unrivalled for its clear, detailed presentation of thousands of fundamental features of the human figure. Every element of the body (such as the overhang of the upper lip; the puckering at the corners of the mouth; the characteristic proportions of the head, trunk, limbs, etc.; the tension between connected portions of the body; etc.) is carefully and concisely pointed out in the text. Even more helpful are the 430 pencil and charcoal drawings that illustrate each feature so that you are, in effect, shown what to look for by a master teacher.
The result is the only art instruction book which not only illustrates details of the body but directs your attention at every stage to a host of subtle points of shading, curvature, proportion, foreshortening, muscular tension, variations due to extreme age or youth, and both major and minor differences in the structure and representation of the male and female figure. Comprehensive discussions and drawings cover the eyes; nose, mouth and chin; ear; head, trunk, back and hips; neck, throat, and shoulder; shoulder and arm; hand and wrist; leg; foot; the complete figure; and other interdependent groups of structures. This is the human figure as the artist, art student, and art teacher must know it in order to avoid many deceptive errors unfortunately common in much modern portraiture, painting, and illustrative art.
Second edition, revised and enlarged. Foreword by George Bridgman.

About this edition

• Publisher: Echo Point Books & Media
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1626543410
• ISBN 13: 9781626543416
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144