The Nude Figure: A Visual Reference for the Artist

by Mark Edward Smith

For thousands of artists lacking access to figure classes with live models, this portfolio of superbly photographed models provides a life-drawing studio right at home. An extensive compilation of traditional life drawing poses includes female and male figures in standing, seated, reclining, and action poses, each shown gracefully in circular movement, taking in all views: front, three-quarter-front, side, three-quarter back, and back. Each photograph is beautifully composed and lit, providing artists with all the nuances of muscle structure, line, and gesture to inspire fully developed figure drawings and paintings.

Genres: Art, Reference, Nonfiction, Photography

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1998

Reviews

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good enough book for simple stuff. I can appreciate the organization, similar poses being grouped together, the sheer amount of photos (there are quite a few shoved in here!), along with the--somewhat--variety of models.

I also like that there are only full bodies in this. It's often frustrating for me to look up poses for reference, only to have half the body showing. So no worries with that here.

There are a couple of big downsides with this book though.

While there are several different models, they're all thin, all white, all around the same age, and almost entirely female. There are only two male models, and very few photos compared to the many different women. (On the plus side, there are four photos of a pregnant woman, so there is a /slight/ additional variety, haha.)

The quality of the photos are sub par. I get that that's an issue with aging technology though. The details are blurry, and due to the light skin of the models and lighter backgrounds (there are some, thankfully, with darker backgrounds), the edges of the body disappear in places.

I love that some photos included have dramatic lighting, harsh darks and lights, and I like that it keeps things simple and has the photos in black and white.

However, given how much photography has advanced, and in the age of the internet, this book is just obsolete. You can have hundreds of stock photos saved onto your phone for easy mobile use. With a much wider range of options (poc, body types, ages, etc).

If you're into books, can't blame you there that's why I got this, this might not be a bad choice, but if you're trying to do detailed work or are looking for a good variety of models, I'd look elsewhere.

[Floydsalerno · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book if your a big pencil and chalk fan like me. All the pics are in black and white. A great way to learn contrast and shading.

[Sgt Roman Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

AS AN ARTIST MYSELF, I FIND BOOKS LIKE THIS TO BE HELPFUL, BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE REAL LIFE.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowzers! Purchased this gem at a used bookstore in Plattsburgh, NY.

Page 98 took my breath away…the direct eye contact had me swooning.

While I appreciate the numerous and variety of poses…it seems like most of them would have qualified for the Unusual Poses chapter.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - would recommend this to a friend, lover, or arch nemesis

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Features a collection of female models of different size and pigment, front and back. Poses include standing, seated, reclining, on a stool, kneeling, bending, crouching, moving, prego, and... hands/feet (?). Engaging

[Ana Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

É um excelente livro de poses artísticas. Muito bom para explorar o comportamento dos músculos