I don't know how to use Bridgman books.

[ZenzybaR]

I bought both: 'Constructive Anatomy', and 'Heads, Features, and Faces.'
I heard they were good for thinking in form, and that's exactly what i need. But
I have no idea what I'm meant to do with the books. I try to read it and i go ooooooh, cause it makes sense. But i don't know what to do.

I want to learn more about hips, so i go to the hip section and i get confused. Yeah i'm learning about how the parts connect. But i don't know these parts. And the images confuse me more.

Am i meant to directly copy his work or what? I was on a roll till i got the books. It's really screwed me over.

[Zazerzs]

Set the books up in front of you and draw from them like you would a model,still life or anything else.

Pay attention to the forms and solid masses that Bridgman uses and how he twists and turns them.

Don't copy just to copy, try to see and understand the line work and the other drawing elements , see how he carries lines through the figure, the use of arabesques ect. post your attempts in your sketchbook and well give some feedback.

Goodluck

Theres also a good link around here .. (off to go find it)

[p sage]

I bought both: 'Constructive Anatomy', and 'Heads, Features, and Faces.'
I heard they were good for thinking in form, and that's exactly what i need. But
I have no idea what I'm meant to do with the books. I try to read it and i go ooooooh, cause it makes sense. But i don't know what to do.

I want to learn more about hips, so i go to the hip section and i get confused. Yeah i'm learning about how the parts connect. But i don't know these parts. And the images confuse me more.

Am i meant to directly copy his work or what? I was on a roll till i got the books. It's really screwed me over.

That's not a dumb question; I've actually felt that way in the past as well.

The information is there and it makes sense; but it's hard to know how to apply it. Literally, "what do you do?"

Blindly copying what you see (obviously) seemed like the wrong answer.

It's sort of similar when you sit in front of a model for the first time, too.

[Elwell]

Lots of info here:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=162963

[ZenzybaR]

Thanks for the help guys. I've taken the advice and i'm gonna try it again.

[Rist]

Also try this. The search function, unlike on other forums, works really well here. My grats to the technical guys!

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/search.php?searchid=7298606

[Carbono]

For me the best way to learn anything is to face it from different sides at the same time.

I always try to copy an photo, then afterwards I try to find the muscles and construction using some anatomy book, Bridgman or anyone else...

Now, I would advise you to try to use an book of someone whose artworks/style you admire, When I'm looking at Burne Hogarth stuff I feel much more motivated than with anyone else, his rendering makes me stop and stare... So when I'm tired of analyzing the shapes and putting it down, I just admire his drawings, instead of running for something else... And for me this makes all the difference, you learn even without drawing.

But honestly, personal preferences aside, you should try to vary a little too, its always a challenge to get out of your confort zone by trying to learn from someone else.

[hitnrun]

Bah, everyone always beats me to the good advice. I've recently busted into painting head first, but drawing is still my better craft. As another user said, just draw from them like you'd draw a still life. But, yes, try to understand why he drew what he drew. If he drew something twisting, or bulging, or extending, why is the particular feature doing so? I think some of Joseph Sheppards books are a tad easier to understand. I had an anatomy class with one of Sheppard's books, so when I looked at the bridgman text I already had a pretty good understanding of anatomy.