Help finding a good anatomy book for me

[splutty1]

I've always been drawing, but not til recently started to draw more seriously. After looking through the only atanomy book I have I noticed my drawings are quite off. Since then I have been drawing from the book, Bridgeman's Life Drawing, but have a few problems with the book (other than these problems the book has been very useful, so I'm not ragging on the book :P ):

My first problem with the book is it doesn't really break down the body that well. I am having to draw, for example, a chest as a whole; not starting from shapes or something smaller.

The second problem I am having with the book is consistency. Because its mainly a book of sketches it seems his sketches have many different variations of the same body and doesn't have a set basic figure. In some of the drawings I can't tell where certain details are suppose to be or the detail looks different.

So I was hoping someone could suggest a book that could better help me learn anatomy. Thank you for the help.

EDIT: Also it could be that this book is just too advanced for me, so maybe a good beginning book.

[talbot]

Do a search of these forums and the web for Andrew Loomis' books. Start with "Fun with a Pencil." All his books should help you. Also, just do a search for anatomy tutorials on the web.

[splutty1]

I just looked into some of Loomis. Seems like I missed out on being able to download his work. :[ Also, could you elaborate on what 'fun with pencils' teaches?

I just saw that Bridgeman has a book called 'Constructive Anatomy', is this pretty much the same as his life drawing book or should I give it a try?

[Dizon]

you know bridgman has a compilation of all his books available, and it's inexpensive. check amazon.com.

[splutty1]

Thanks for the info Talbot and Patdzon. I found a good site with the pages from Figure Drawing for all it's Worth by Andrew Loomis. It's pretty overwhelming. I've been reading over it a few times and I'm going to read over it a few more to see if I can start to understand it.

[dorian]

yeah, loomis might help you a lot.

there are more good anatomy books:

"Artistic Anatomy" by Dr. Paul Richer
very detailed, quite medical/scientific, maybe a bit dry to read but LOTS of valuable infos.

"Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters" by Robert Beverly Hale
old master's drawings analyzed and explained. Very good read, very useful information.

"Figure Drawing Masterclass" by Robert Beverly Hale
similar to the one above, but not as thick, if I remember it right (lent it to a friend at the moment).

The Human Figure by John H. Vanderpoel
Have not read it, but it seems to be very useful.
(It's also a "required reading" book at angel academy of art in Florence, along with dr. richers "Artistic Anatomy" mentioned above.)

Die Gestalt des Menschen by Gottfried Bammes
It's german, I didn't find it in english, I don't think it is "The Artist's Guide to Human Anatomy". Literally translated, the title means something like "The Shape of Men". He makes really amazing drawings, very threedimensional. He was able to draw a quite pefrekt skeleton in any pose just from imagination. Because he knew what every bone looks like. The text is very academic but contains just about everything you want to know about bones, muscles, tendons, fat, etc.

Drawing the Head and Hands by Andrew Loomis
I started out with this one, when I (maybe) was at about the same point you are now. It helped me a lot in thinking of everything I draw as solid objects in space. Loomis is a very very motivating and easy-to-read autor. I love his masterful explanations and examples. Definitely want to read all of his books.

Fun with a Pencil by Andrew Loomis
Not an anatomy book in the common sense but it keeps the title’s promise :)
Starting with comic-ish characters, Loomis explains how to construct heads and bodies out of basic 3D objects, mainly spheres. He also deals with perspective and ends the book encouraging to draw from life.

Figure Drawing for all it’s Worth by Andrew Loomis
Much more “realistic” than the cartoony “Fun with a Pencil”. Both his drawings and the encouraging text are very helpful. Also deals with drawing techniques itself and principles of drawing such as light/shade, lines, etc.


Yeah, that’s about what I can say. I’m shure there are dozens of other good books on anatomy out there.
I’d suggest to start with “Fun with a Pencil”. If it’s maybe too childish, try “Figure Drawing for all it’s Worth”. If you really wan’t to know and understand, I highly recommend bob hale’s books. He is, by the way, mentioned on the cover of Dr. Richers “Artistic Anatomy”: “Translated and edited by Robert Beverly Hale”.
Hope that helps! Have fun, and show us what you draw!


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[talbot]

Splutty1; Here are two books by Loomis that may help you. They are basically pages taken from his "Figure Drawing For All It's Worth" and "Drawing the Human Head."

I bought these not too long ago, even though I have the full .pdfs, and love them. The are printed on oversized paper, kind of like a tabloid size, and the drawings are very crisp and clear. For only $15 for two books, you can't beat that. Well worth the money.

http://budplant.com/product.asp?pn=HOWALSET

[splutty1]

Thanks again for the help guys. I appreciate you putting together that list of books, Dorian. I think I will get 'Fun with Pencils', the two books Talbot posted, and a book by bob hale. I'll probably order them today or tommorow.

I really hope I can get the hang of it. I use to draw all the time, now I barely draw because I know I'm not going to do it right. :(