Character Costume Figure Drawing: Step-by-Step Drawing Methods for Theatre Costume Designers

by Tan Huaixiang

This text presents drawing instruction with detailed break downs of various types of characters. Maternal? Elderly? Sassy? Sexy? It all starts with body proportion, bone structure, body masses, the facial expressions, the hands, and the feet. Hats, props, fabrics, and choice of medium are all thoroughly covered to ensure your ability to develop convincing life-like characters.

Genres: Nonfiction, Art, Fashion, Theatre, Reference, Sewing, Drawing

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2004

Reviews

[Calla Reviews (كالا) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is not for beginners. If you do not know how to draw this is not a good book for it. Which is a bummer because its a decent sized book. What I was looking for in this book was, how to create a figure, rendering fashion on a person as well as body movements, What you get is more of a reference for doing these things instead of clear step by step format for creating. This book contains a lot of writing which is okay but for something as visual as drawing as much step by step illustrations should have been given as well but isn't. For example chapter one writes about the joints and limbs but you do not see much in terms of illustrations that you can follow showing how to complete. I would even say there is not much showing those body parts either. Then the author leaves you with full renderings that are examples of what you can create. :(
Chapter 2 going over the face is a bit better than chapter one. Some of the face though I don't know if I agree with her basic face shapes for the different ethnicities in which includes Caucasian, African, Asian and Middle Eastern. I think maybe for the sake of the book the author stuck to generalities but they don't seem correct. Almost caricatures of the ethnicities. The section going over garments is laughable and pretty much all written.
I'm extremely disappointed in this book as a teaching method. Its one of those scenarios where if you do not know how, you will not learn it here but if you already know costume drawing you may pick up some hints or tips.
So is this book worth it? No, but it may be a good reference to grab from the library for a short while. This is not a step by step book more of a reference guide. Something that may help an intermediate artist. Definitely check out from the library before buying

[I Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not and never intend to be a costume designer, however I bought this book because it looked like it was applicable to all drawing of characters and it is. Obviously the large variety of illustrated attire to pour over is a bonus too!

Huaixiang is not the most skilful artist in the sense of realistic anatomical depiction and like all of us, some of her example work is better than others (though obviously judgement of art is a very personal thing and my opinion is only one). She definitely has her own individual style and the quality is quite adequate to portray costume ideas.

I’ve read many books on art so much of what is written I already know, nevertheless I did learn from Character Costume Figure Drawing and feel that there would be something within that every artist could take away from reading it. I would urge people to consult other books for more in depth technical aspects, particularly for human proportion, although much of what the author states is correct.

Probably the best affirmation that a book is good is that the reader doesn't regret their purchase - I don’t.