Drawing From Photos: Problem Solving and Interpretation when Figure Drawing

by Patrick J. Jones, Steve Huston (Foreword)

In the follow up to his popular figure drawing books, The Anatomy of Style and Figures from Life , comes Drawing from Photos , Patrick’s latest volume of step-by-step drawing techniques. In this volume, Patrick explores the art of drawing from photos and the minefield of unseen problems such as distortion, tangents, and shallow depth. Each step-by-step includes a model posing to refer to as you draw along, recreating a virtual workshop from Patrick’s eye view as he shares his methods, insights and interpretations to produce drawings with style and confidence.

For sheer depth of writing and information, no artist, art lover, or student should be without his latest volume on their bookshelves.

Genres: Art, Drawing

160 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

Patrick 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.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good insights into drawing in general and from photo reference. Some good quotes from other artists as well.

[Xavier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful knowledge and good exercises to improve drawing. I wish I had more opportunities to draw from life but photos are the next best thing.

I would have preferred more exercises for practice and less final rendering. I understand the importance of making the piece your own rather than a carbon copy of the photo. That being said, it wasn't my focus when reading the book. It doesn't detract much from the lesson but it is a bit out of the scope