The Energetic Line in Figure Drawing

Well-crafted and class-tested, this guide to figure drawing features a unique teaching method. It focuses on learning to draw complete figures prior to the study of individual components, and it stresses action figures rather than the customary static examples favoured by most drawing and anatomy texts. Employing more text than typical art instruction books, it presents thirty figure drawing lessons and fifty-six drawings and figures. Each lesson includes detailed instructions on anatomical drawing, accompanied by visual examples of strokes, boxes, and measurements.

Author Alon Bement taught art instruction to future art teachers at Columbia University and later founded the prestigious Maryland Institute of Art. His students included Georgia O'Keeffe, who regarded him as a mentor and major influence. Bement's nontraditional approach offers students at all levels an excellent opportunity to build their visual acuity and technical skills.

Table of Contents for The Energetic Line in Figure Drawing

What is Life Drawing--Introduction by Arthur Wesley Dow
Preface
Illustrations
Materials
The Figure in Profile
The Arm in Profile
The Head in Profile
The Hand, the Forearm, and Simple Measurements
Variations of the Profile
Dancing Figure
The Head—Front View
The Back—Three-quarters View
The Front—Three-quarters View
The Front of the Figure
Memory and Imagination
Adaptability
The Double Curve
The Ear as a Pivot
The Standing Figure—Three-quarters View
Two Convex Sides
Adaptability
The Figure and Line
The Sitting Figure (No. 1)
The Sitting Figure (No. 2)
The Sitting Figure (No. 3)
Beginning Shading
Symmetry
Figure and Costume
Figure and Line
Absence of Line
Extreme Action
The Foot
The Hand
The Head