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The Anatomy of Style: Figure Drawing Techniques
Patrick J. Jones brings his unique teaching methods for drawing the human form to today's generation of artists
Continuing the legacy of such revered masters of figure drawing as Loomis, Hogarth, and Riley, is the highly regarded artist and teacher Patrick J. Jones. His fresh, innovative approach breaks the human body down into shapes and rhythms that can easily be committed to memory, demystifying the art of figure drawing in the process. Much more than a book on anatomy: this guide explains how to use knowledge of the human form to produce drawings with style and grace, using pastel, pencil, and charcoal techniques and tools. It features reproductions of the original anatomy sheets and figure drawings produced during Patrick's live lectures, and is packed full of insights from a modern master of anatomy. Offering plenty of practical instruction and insights for digital painters, this resource will also enhance the drawing and painting techniques of figurative artists, animators, and students at every level of experience.
Continuing the legacy of such revered masters of figure drawing as Loomis, Hogarth, and Riley, is the highly regarded artist and teacher Patrick J. Jones. His fresh, innovative approach breaks the human body down into shapes and rhythms that can easily be committed to memory, demystifying the art of figure drawing in the process. Much more than a book on anatomy: this guide explains how to use knowledge of the human form to produce drawings with style and grace, using pastel, pencil, and charcoal techniques and tools. It features reproductions of the original anatomy sheets and figure drawings produced during Patrick's live lectures, and is packed full of insights from a modern master of anatomy. Offering plenty of practical instruction and insights for digital painters, this resource will also enhance the drawing and painting techniques of figurative artists, animators, and students at every level of experience.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2016
8 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Patrick J. Jones
9 books9 followersPatrick J. Jones is an award-winning sci-fi and fantasy artist and teacher. His work is collected and published worldwide and his client list includes companies such as Disney, Lucasfilm and Roc books. Patrick grew up in Belfast, Ireland, during the worst of the "troubles". Influenced by artists Boris Vallejo and Frank Frazetta, he spent long days in the sanctuary of rooftops, drawing and dreaming of becoming a fantasy artist, to the din of street riots below. After two years in the merchant navy, he moved to London and spent 15 years as an illustrator before travelling the world once more.Today Patrick lives in Australia with his loving wife, Cathy, and their two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 21, 2017
I actually bought this book for my boyfriend because I caught him reading it in my bookstore's cafe while I was working. I wanted to improve my figure studies so I read it as well. I filled up a 24 page 14 x 17 inch sketchbook, mainly focusing on hands, feet, and male vs. female.
This book is broken up into seven parts. To name a few: Foundations tackles male vs. female anatomy, Masterclass demonstrates how to draw features of the head and torso, and Drawing From Life starts introducing figure drawing. Each chapter has numbered notes, which can be found in Patrick's illustrated examples. Opening this book is like sitting down for a 5 hour lecture with Patrick J. Jones. The photos are not too different from the stuff my own art professors scribble onto the board during lectures.
I'd recommend this to entry level artists as well as experienced artists who simply want to review or brush up on their anatomy.
This book is broken up into seven parts. To name a few: Foundations tackles male vs. female anatomy, Masterclass demonstrates how to draw features of the head and torso, and Drawing From Life starts introducing figure drawing. Each chapter has numbered notes, which can be found in Patrick's illustrated examples. Opening this book is like sitting down for a 5 hour lecture with Patrick J. Jones. The photos are not too different from the stuff my own art professors scribble onto the board during lectures.
I'd recommend this to entry level artists as well as experienced artists who simply want to review or brush up on their anatomy.
December 14, 2021
A great figure artist telling you everything he knows about drawing the human form. You can tell he is really passionate and some of it rubs off on you
April 1, 2022
When it comes to contermporary figure drawing artists, Patrick Jones must be considered amongst the best. His unique style invokes the names of Frazetta and Boris, and yet at the same time, he has his own unique style that separates him from others. With “The Anatomy of Style”, Jones shares with us his perspective and approach to drawing the human figure.
The 160 page book is broken down into seven Parts: “Foundation”, ”Master Class”, “Drawing from Life”, “The Artistic Voice”, “The Art of Serendipity”, “Gateway to Painting” and “Selected Drawings”. Other than Selected Drawings, each of the Parts has multiple subsections.
“Foundation” is amongst the strongest section of the book, as Jones shares his approach to various aspects of anatomy. One of the things that makes this standout, is that he brings attention to what one might consider “minor” details, yet these are the things that are the strength of his drawings. This is repeated throughout the book and several times I just smiled and thought “Wow, that’s a great insight I would have never thought of that”.
“Master Class” builds upon the lessons learned in “Foundation” and features the first appearance of his workflow for a drawing.
The rest of the book shows various pieces by Jones in various states of completion. There is an emphasis on gesture and life drawing.
This is a book that many serious students of figure drawing will want to own. Mainly for the fact that his attention to detail is highly commendable and will have you analyzing your figures to see if they contain the subtlety that Jones injects into his own. Since the book is called “the anatomy of STYLE”, it has to be kept in mind that the drawings are highly stylized and you can approach this as a master study of an artist, or as a roadmap to recognizing and developing your own style.
I believe that this is a book that you will want to read again in the future, and then add some more of his observations to your drawings.
The 160 page book is broken down into seven Parts: “Foundation”, ”Master Class”, “Drawing from Life”, “The Artistic Voice”, “The Art of Serendipity”, “Gateway to Painting” and “Selected Drawings”. Other than Selected Drawings, each of the Parts has multiple subsections.
“Foundation” is amongst the strongest section of the book, as Jones shares his approach to various aspects of anatomy. One of the things that makes this standout, is that he brings attention to what one might consider “minor” details, yet these are the things that are the strength of his drawings. This is repeated throughout the book and several times I just smiled and thought “Wow, that’s a great insight I would have never thought of that”.
“Master Class” builds upon the lessons learned in “Foundation” and features the first appearance of his workflow for a drawing.
The rest of the book shows various pieces by Jones in various states of completion. There is an emphasis on gesture and life drawing.
This is a book that many serious students of figure drawing will want to own. Mainly for the fact that his attention to detail is highly commendable and will have you analyzing your figures to see if they contain the subtlety that Jones injects into his own. Since the book is called “the anatomy of STYLE”, it has to be kept in mind that the drawings are highly stylized and you can approach this as a master study of an artist, or as a roadmap to recognizing and developing your own style.
I believe that this is a book that you will want to read again in the future, and then add some more of his observations to your drawings.
November 21, 2019
Excellent book to study main forms of muscles and life drawing.
April 11, 2022
Too focused on the female body.
November 5, 2024
Wow, professional
April 3, 2017
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews