figure drawings

Figure Drawing


A Manual on Drawing the Human Figure

by L. A. Doust

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A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing
A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing

A MANUAL ON DRAWING THE HUMAN FIGURE. at Amazon.com

Manual on Drawing the Human Figure another copy


List of Plates
Frontispiece
1. A PENCIL STUDY
2. The Simple Outlook
3. The Skeleton
4. Ditto
5. Ditto
6. MUSCLES
7. Ditto
8. Ditto
9. CONSTRUCTION
10. Ditto
11. Ditto
12. SUPINE FIGURE
13. Ditto
14. SEATED FIGURE
15. Ditto
16. Ditto
17. BENT OR KNEELING FiGURE
18. Ditto
19. SEATED FIGURE
20. Ditto
21. STANDING FIGURE FRONT VIEW
22. Ditto
23. Ditto
24. Ditto
25. STANDING FIGURE BACK VIEW
26. Ditto
27. FIGURE IN MODERATE ACTION
28. FIGURE IN VIGOROUS ACTION
29. Ditto
30. Ditto
31. REVERSE OUTLOOK METHOD
32. CHILDREN

From the first chapter:


THE VITAL OUTLOOK

IT is quite clear that a book of this size does not contain a complete analysis of human figure drawing from all aspects and in every detail. This necessary limitation of outlook is part of my purpose, for by avoiding complexity I hope to drive home the vital view of figure drawing.

I have sometimes amused myself by asking someone to define a dog. They say, "It is an animal with four legs, a tail and er . . . er . ." A  Manual of Human Figure DrawingYes, and such is the definition of many creatures. It is just as difficult to define a human being, and also to draw a human being. If you follow carefully the shapes and proportions of limbs and body you will make a drawing that will be recognised as taken from a human being; but the real secret that makes great artists is much more intangible than bone, muscle or flesh: it is an indefinable outlook, the oneness of individuality more than the differences of detail. In drawing the human being you must take into consideration the mind and soui. A  Manual of Human Figure Drawing

The usual condition of the human being is a clothed one. There are three reasons for drawing the nude. One is an unusual condition, such as bathing; the second is that sometimes a design, by reason of its form or abstract values, makes the nude figure essential; the last is the studying of the figure in order to draw accurately and well the human being in all its possible positions and circumstances.

My purpose in this book is to blend all these aims in one simple outlook. I do not teach anatomy or perspective; I do not advise how to finish; I do not discuss fully the problems of texture, form, colour or tone. All these are mentioned as they obtrude, but may be learnt from simple and more suitable subjects such as a cube, an orange, or a chair.

The illustrations in this book are simple very simple quick sketches. They are not specimens to copy, nor examples of how to work; every artist has his own method. Certainly these plates do not teach the subtleties of figure painting and drawing. Their purpose is to emphasize the simplicity of the human figure more than its complexity.


This book and the images in it are believed to be in the public domain based on their age and publishing date. If you have information to the contrary please email me: lifedraw2005@yahoo.com