Drawing the Body: Reading the Human Form in Art

Unique and user-friendly techniques for figure drawing and understanding human anatomy

The third title from bestselling author Robert Osti, Drawing the Body is a highly accessible book that presents an engaging, systematized way to draw the human figure – from static, structural, and anatomical depictions to realistic and expressive forms. 

With minimal, essential text, the book is organized as a sketchbook with abundant images and practical exercises throughout. Included are step-by-step demonstrations that feature original illustrations from the author, photography of human figures, as well as art historical references from Old Masters.

This beautiful and utilitarian guide is indispensable and will appeal to artists, art students, and anyone interested in the artistic and scientific depiction of the human figure and human anatomy.

Roberto Osti teaches human anatomy for artists, figure drawing, and cast drawing at the New York Academy of Art, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Saint Joseph University. Formally trained as a medical illustrator at the University of Bologna, Italy, Osti’s artworks have been exhibited in the US and Europe. He is the author of the bestselling Monacelli Studio titles, Basic Human Anatomy (2016) and Dynamic Human Anatomy (2021).