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Art of Drawing
Provides a complete drawing system and includes hundreds of illustrations.
129 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1900
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About the author
Willy Pogány
121 books6 followersWilliam Andrew ("Willy") Pogány (August 1882 – 30 July 1955) was a Hungarian prolific illustrator of children's and adult books.
Born Vilmos Andreas Pogány in Szeged, Hungary. He studied at Budapest Technical University and in Munich and Paris. Pogany came to America via Paris and London. In London, he produced his four masterpieces, Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1910), Richard Wagner's Tannhauser (1911), Parsifal (1912) and Lohengrin (1913).
In 1918 he illustrated a children's rewrite of Homer, The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy, retold by Padraic Colum.
Pogány's best known works consist of illustrations of classic myths and legends done in the Art Nouveau style. He also worked as an art director on several Hollywood films, including Fashions of 1934 and Dames.
Pogány authored three art instruction books: Willy Pogány's Drawing Lessons, Willy Pogány's Oil Painting Lessons, and Willy Pogány's Water Color Lessons, Including Gouache.
Pogány's public art can be seen on the walls of the Ringling Mansion in Sarasota, FL, the theatre of El Museo del Barrio at 1230 Fifth Ave., and the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on 45th St in NYC.
Pogány died in Manhattan, New York City.
Born Vilmos Andreas Pogány in Szeged, Hungary. He studied at Budapest Technical University and in Munich and Paris. Pogany came to America via Paris and London. In London, he produced his four masterpieces, Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1910), Richard Wagner's Tannhauser (1911), Parsifal (1912) and Lohengrin (1913).
In 1918 he illustrated a children's rewrite of Homer, The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy, retold by Padraic Colum.
Pogány's best known works consist of illustrations of classic myths and legends done in the Art Nouveau style. He also worked as an art director on several Hollywood films, including Fashions of 1934 and Dames.
Pogány authored three art instruction books: Willy Pogány's Drawing Lessons, Willy Pogány's Oil Painting Lessons, and Willy Pogány's Water Color Lessons, Including Gouache.
Pogány's public art can be seen on the walls of the Ringling Mansion in Sarasota, FL, the theatre of El Museo del Barrio at 1230 Fifth Ave., and the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on 45th St in NYC.
Pogány died in Manhattan, New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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May 17, 2013The Art of Drawing by Willy Pogany is a great book that’s quite similar to an art course you might take at a university. It’s not overly complicated, which makes it easy for even the most basic of beginners to understand.
There are simple tutorials and steps that help one to continue on the path to greatness, including shading, proportions, and studies of the way each individual part of the body work together.
Though there are many exercises that take patience when you have to repeat them over and over, it is all in the name of art and will help you to become a better artist.
One individual section of the book that especially helped me was perspective; this is the idea that looking at an object from different directions changes the shape and how you see it. Though you know it’s the same object, it appears to change depending on the angle at which you see it.
Another section was the structuring of the hands. Hands have always given me trouble as an artist, but this helped to break down the basic shape and how they work, and knowing the mechanics is very important in understanding how to draw them.
This book was very helpful in my journey forward as an artist, and I will continue to use techniques learned from it as I continue to draw.
There are simple tutorials and steps that help one to continue on the path to greatness, including shading, proportions, and studies of the way each individual part of the body work together.
Though there are many exercises that take patience when you have to repeat them over and over, it is all in the name of art and will help you to become a better artist.
One individual section of the book that especially helped me was perspective; this is the idea that looking at an object from different directions changes the shape and how you see it. Though you know it’s the same object, it appears to change depending on the angle at which you see it.
Another section was the structuring of the hands. Hands have always given me trouble as an artist, but this helped to break down the basic shape and how they work, and knowing the mechanics is very important in understanding how to draw them.
This book was very helpful in my journey forward as an artist, and I will continue to use techniques learned from it as I continue to draw.
December 27, 2021
A great book for artists learning how to draw humans. Their forms,
faces, hands, feet. Along with poses. I use it all the time for reference,
whe. I need to check something on my sketches and drawings.
Debra H.
faces, hands, feet. Along with poses. I use it all the time for reference,
whe. I need to check something on my sketches and drawings.
Debra H.
April 21, 2018
Simple and valuable book!
August 4, 2013
Beautifully and astoundingly illustrated with concise instruction by the Hungarian-born naturalized U.S. immigrant master.
I had the 1955 hardcover copy without the dust jacket that was lost.
With the reprint in the few editions, by presumed public domain, it is my hope the aspiring artists -- drawing, illustration and painting -- will rediscover Willy Pogany's intricately detailed illustrations and learn some of his methods.
However, a few drawing methods offered by Pogany may prove to be frustrating in terms of difficulty developing the "tight" artist's eye that could discourage some aspirants from further pursuing. It's true it takes several years to establish a "very good" drawing skill by constant and rigorous practice.
Therefore, the book is meant to be read that pleases the curious eyes with the richly detailed human anatomy and classical human portrait & drawn mythological characterization, which should astound the readers to develop deeper appreciation for Pogany's contribution to fine drawing.
Even though the established artist has been deceased for close to 60 years now, Willy Pogany should find, and deserve, the new appreciation in the 21st Century with the unique Art Nouveau style to influence the new generation with the timeless and traditional drawing skills yet to be duplicated.
I had the 1955 hardcover copy without the dust jacket that was lost.
With the reprint in the few editions, by presumed public domain, it is my hope the aspiring artists -- drawing, illustration and painting -- will rediscover Willy Pogany's intricately detailed illustrations and learn some of his methods.
However, a few drawing methods offered by Pogany may prove to be frustrating in terms of difficulty developing the "tight" artist's eye that could discourage some aspirants from further pursuing. It's true it takes several years to establish a "very good" drawing skill by constant and rigorous practice.
Therefore, the book is meant to be read that pleases the curious eyes with the richly detailed human anatomy and classical human portrait & drawn mythological characterization, which should astound the readers to develop deeper appreciation for Pogany's contribution to fine drawing.
Even though the established artist has been deceased for close to 60 years now, Willy Pogany should find, and deserve, the new appreciation in the 21st Century with the unique Art Nouveau style to influence the new generation with the timeless and traditional drawing skills yet to be duplicated.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews