Figure Drawing for All it's Worth Hardcover – Facsimile, 27 May 2011

The book arrived next day. Its an informative book that goes into great detail. Would recommend for anyone who already draws and for those just starting out

This book has been the most sought-after work on figure drawing for decades. Since it has been out of print, old copies have been changing hands for high prices. This new edition has been a long time coming, but what a joy to see it at last! This is a facsimile copy, which means that it has been created from an original print of the book, rather than from the original artwork and page layouts. Even so, the results are excellent, and the illustrations are crisp and clear.Loomis was an illustrator, author and art instructor at the American Academy of Art. This book was published in 1943 and, ever since, has been the standard work on the subject. It covers all aspects of figure drawing, explaining detail and with unequalled clarity, how to draw the figure. As you might expect from the cover artwork, he focuses almost entirely on the nude male and female figure, but also spends some time looking at how the techniques may be applied to drawing children. The final ten pages look at how to draw the clothed figure. Obviously, it looks at how to draw the head and the hands, but for this I would get a copy of Loomis' separate book on the subject, "Drawing the Head and Hands", which is also being reprinted (around October 2011).Loomis' style of drawing has a distinct 1940s look about it. Some of the hairstyles, complexions and poses are redolent of the times, but this does not age the work at all. It merely reflects our changing ideas about supposedly typical male and female figures. The content remains fascinating, insightful, compelling and inspiring. His drawings are lovely things, always delicate and lively. The final few pages, about working as an artist, are amusing rather than useful to today's artists, but it's all part of the original 1943 publication.I have a large collection of books on figure and portrait drawing, and I have been after a copy of this book for decades. It has been well worth the wait. It is a must-have. And now that I have a copy, I will be throwing out a few books that this one happily replaces!

I pressed the order button and ...Wham! (Apologies to Roy Lichtenstein) No sooner had I confirmed my order than the books appeared at my door. Well okay! Not quite, but substantially less than twenty four hours for delivery is in my book a pretty spectacular performance, and that's free delivery, wow! Well done Yodel.Now to the true subject matter, the original of this volume is older than me and from the illustrations and the slightly stilted prose it is quite evident. That does not matter one iota, not a jot, this is the quintessential drawing handbook and that it was unavailable for so many years a tragedy. This book will not turn me into a great artist, not even a competent one, only by really applying myself to mastery of the subject can I achieve that, but this book, and its companions will show me how to apply myself and to achieve the desired results. Even if I merely wanted this as an artistic artefact to further swell my burgeoning art history section it would be worth the price, it is wonderful and inspirational and a fitting tribute to an excellent illustrator. Enough of the fulsome praise, I am now to put its contents to the test, but it is a lovely thing to behold.Drawing the Head and Hands A. Loomis *****Successful Drawing A. Loomis *****The Fundamentals of Drawing: A Complete Professional Course for Artists Barrington Barber *****Drawing and Sketching in Pencil A. L. Guptill *****The Artist's Complete Guide to Figure Drawing Anthony Ryder *****

Wonderful book, exactly what I was needing. Nothing can compare to having the book in front of you to work from. The book is structured well and I've already improved greatly, just from chapter one! Loomis can be a bit word heavy in sections but leaves the exercises without clear direction, however the book is entertaining to read and the techniques easy to pick up and figure out yourself.There was an interesting point in a review that I had read, which noted that since the book is outdated and old fashioned in style, the proportions of the figures are idealised and unrealistic. As an example, he teaches that a womans waist is around the same width of a head. However, as he states in the book, the exercises aren't to copy him line by line, but how to do it yourself. He teaches you the technique, from there your own intelligence should get you to drawing your own preferred proportions.Brilliant book for anyone wanting to get a handle on figure drawing from the ground up!

A technical book created essentially for professionals but very informative for anyl artists who wish to devellope their ability to draw people in proportion, in any position, in perspective, with volume etc.Full of interesting détails; I can clearly say I have learnt something new from this book. I recommend it

If you are struggling to find that form to complete your figure this book will teach you how. I’ve been practising for two weeks now although I’m just starting I’m fixated. Really cannot stress enough that Andrew Loomis is a master. I’ve got 3 books now and can’t get enough of studying. Hopefully in a years time I’ll be really good. I’m 52 and my stress levels have dropped lol. Anyway I highly recommend each book. And at such a good price it’s a win win win.