Classic Human Anatomy: The Artist's Guide to Form, Function, and Movement

by Valerie L. Winslow

After more than thirty years of research and teaching, artist Valerie Winslow has compiled her unique methods of drawing human anatomy into one groundbreaking Classic Human Anatomy . This long-awaited book provides simple, insightful approaches to the complex subject of human anatomy, using drawings, diagrams, and reader-friendly text. Three major sections–the skeletal form, the muscular form and action of the muscles, and movement–break the material down into easy-to-understand pieces. More than 800 distinctive illustrations detail the movement and actions of the bones and muscles, and unique charts reveal the origins and insertions of the muscles. Packed with an extraordinary wealth of information, Classic Human Anatomy is sure to become a new classic of art instruction.

Genres: Art, Drawing, Reference, Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2008

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. I found it helpful to first study basic shapes and dynamic forms before using this book. It's more for a thorough understanding of human anatomy so you can draw detail more accurately.

[Parka · Rating 5 out of 5]

(More pictures at parkablogs.com)

Classic Human Anatomy: The Artist's Guide to Form, Function, and Movement is a anatomy reference book for artists. The bodies, muscles and skeletons are well illustrated and explained. The different layers of muscles are shown individually as well as a whole. Where the muscles are attached to the bones (even those hidden) are shown. The illustrated examples are plentiful and comprehensive.

The writeup is well researched and written clearly. It has all the technical speak, including pronunciation, but still easy to understand when read. Every anatomy part and every muscle shown is explained in terms of functionality.

There are some drawing tips but not as much compared to dedicated instructional anatomy books. For example, it doesn't teach much on drawing twisting torsos. As such, this will be a great companion to other instructional anatomy books, especially so for those that focus on poses and have less details on the underlying human form.

Overall, this is a highly recommended anatomy reference book, for beginner to advanced artists. For the price, I think it's really worth the money.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly clear, with lots of tips that would help drawing the figure from imagination. Ex, the shape of the glutes with the leg straight vs. the leg extended.

Beautiful drawn diagrams of individual body parts from all useful angles and in all useful positions. Almost the body equivalent of Gary Faigin's "Facial Expressions."

[Amy M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd rather stick with Loomis, Peck, Hamm, etc. I didn't see anything in here that would serve me better (or even adequately) than those mentioned.

[Viktorija B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful guide of anatomy for figure drawing that helped me immensely. I'm glad I studied this book and I'm glad that I'll have it on my shelf for future reference!

[Franklin Galdino]

Absolutely fantastic <3 The book is filled with clear information and awesome pictures. Though the drawings are quite similar to one another (I know that it's probably part of the author style, but even in different models, the proportions and likeness look pretty similar). Overall, this book is a great resource for those who want not only to copy and draw anatomy drawings but for those who also want to learn the "function" behind it.

[Sonya Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a basic textbook of anatomy for the artist, I felt this to be lacking in drawing technique. It adequately describes the internal skeletal and muscular systems, but that's about it. I found other books more useful.

[Megan Hex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive, excellent reference with commentary on different body types. Now time to start drawing from it!

[Vinh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended!

[Ant · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is making me go crazy/ good book to learn anatomy ig.

[Eyterna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure when i started this book exactly, but the log date i began with was 17th Jan 2016 and finished TODAYYY!! YAY!!! I adopted a thing where i read a few books at the same time one spread a day. These are mostly non-fiction books which i usually find impossible to read. Also because i don't binge on them like i would on YA novels. To date i think this is definitely one of my bigger achievements. I was recommended this book by a customer at work, and thought that this was definitely something i should learn, considering i'm also going to Life Drawing sessions every Monday.

By far, this book starts from the skeleton up, along with the terminology a non-med student like me cannot comprehend. And now, i sprout the word "sternocleidomastoid" around until i realise my masseuse friend knows all of this and then some...and me well...i'll just go back to giving them a hats off for the studying they've gone through AND REMEMBERED. This book has seriously challenged me, and at times had me going, "Ok, i know this doesn't hold a candle to people actually studying med, but....DAMN, that was hard!"

Back to the book. I just gotta say that the amount of research and examples this book gave me is so comprehensive i can't even begin to grasp. I might've read it through but i probably only got about 10% of it, and that's rounding UP. It is a serious "get to know you" guide for the human anatomy. But fascinating all the same.

If you struggle to get the human body structure right, if life drawing still ends up with you going "i can see how it looks...but....why??" this book can explain some of the mysteries. It does also stress how much life drawing is important, and it complements traditional learning methods so well (you know, if i had the time, money and determination to take them).

This book is a bit hefty on your pocket, but i am so glad i sat down and got through the entire thing front to back (ok, i skipped the Glossary and the Anatomical Terminology Reference Guide because i thought i already went through them in the book and that these were just going over them again). Now i can appreciate even more the complexities of the human anatomy, as well as flick through this massive volume every now and again for reference and eventually say, "Hey, i don't remember reading this!" and re-read bits and pieces for years to come.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would make an excellent addition to any artists anatomical library. Although there are several better volumes on the subject, Winslow does present some interesting sections, covering some topics in more detail than other offerings. In particular the sections on the individual muscles of the arms and hands. As a bonus, all of the anatomical terms are given pronunciation sections, helping the aspiring artist begin to be able to memorize both the terms and their proper pronunciation.

[reading is my hustle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful.

[HdSylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a treat for all artist to nibble on: it takes time to go over the anatomy of the human structure in grave detail. Helps you understand what you are drawing and why.

[HERZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It helped me a lot when I started sketching human bodies about 5 years ago. Essential reference for the beginners.

[bell]

An excellent anatomy guide for artists!

[Aeron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I go to this book again and again.