How to Paint Living Portraits
Both these books approach one of the most difficult of artistic challenges--the accurate depiction of the human form. Bodyworks is a compact manual for seeing and drawing the figure. Its strong point is that it does not treat each muscle or limb in isolation but in clear relationship to the entire figure. Well illustrated but with limited text, the book concentrates on form, omitting the consideration of color. Still, despite its assets, Bodyworks is not an essential purchase, particularly for libraries owning George B. Bridgman's classic series on figure drawing (Dover Publications, 1932-1974). How To Paint Living Portraits is an innovative approach to the subject. The emphasis here is not merely on the realistic portrayal of the figure but on the finer problem of creating portraits that look like their models. Step-by-step demonstrations consider the proportions of the head; such individual features as eyes, nose, mouth, etc.; the body; and the clothing and lighting of the figure. More comprehensive than similar books, this one covers working in charcoal, oil, and watercolors, with an especially good treatment of color. Appropriate for all levels of expertise, How To Paint Living Portraits is highly recommended.- Daniel J. Lombardo, Jones Lib., Inc., Amherst, Mass.Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.