40 of 42 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another excellent offering from Juliette Aristides., Nov 26 2011
By Artist523 "Atelier" - Published on Amazon.com
Ce commentaire est de: Lessons in Classical Drawing: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier (Hardcover)
This is another beautiful volume from artist, author Juliette Aristides. It is well made with a quality binding rarely seen in a book priced so reasonably. The profuse illustrations are meaningful, pertinent and include an appropriate scope of both contemporary and historic sources. The content is cogent and instructive, and the accompanying DVD was sufficiently inspiring that I just had to get out my sketchbook.
I am a portraitist who paints using renaissance technical traditions, and my belief is that this book offers a effective approach to the study and practice of drawing that seems to be a fulfillment of what was forseen as needed by gifted authors from the late 19th and early 20th century, like John Vanderpoel and Harold Speed. These authors wrote at a time when the extremely linear art instruction as practiced by the European academies was under concerted attack and dismantling, I think they foresaw the need for instruction of the type and scope offered here.
After first stumbling upon 'Classical Drawing Atelier', I've been pleased to add both 'Classical painting Atelier', as well as this newest volume, 'Lessons in Classical Drawing', to my library as soon as I looked them over. Though I've never met the author, I can't help but respect both her writing and her artwork. I suspect that anyone who appreciates art and especially those of you who are interested in the highest craft practiced in the visual arts will cherish her books as well.
Plus, if you are interested in really learning about representing and interpreting visual phenomenon (read; learning the discipline of drawing in it's highest, fullest forms), and you can't, for whatever reason, participate at a quality atelier, this is a very good place to begin as well as augment your studies.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Destined to become a classic book on drawing, Dec 8 2011
By J. Masters - Published on Amazon.com
Ce commentaire est de: Lessons in Classical Drawing: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier (Hardcover)
This book does extremely well in providing a thorough overview of the underlying principles of drawing. It progresses logically, is easy to understand, and is well illustrated with examples that make the concepts clear. You will find yourself immediately able to apply the ideas to your own drawings. Where this book really stands out is in the area of structure- that is to say, the "how to" when it comes to laying down the foundations of good proportions, values, etc., in the beginning stages of your drawing, so that in the later stages your foundation is solid. This is very helpful for those of us mere mortals who struggle with things like getting size and value relationships correct. I have many drawing books in my collection, but I find this one to be arguably the best when it comes to structure.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fabulous Classic on Drawing, Dec 5 2011
By Suzanne Burnell - Published on Amazon.com
Ce commentaire est de: Lessons in Classical Drawing: Essential Techniques from Inside the Atelier (Hardcover)
I really enjoyed this book. I think it will go down as one of the classic books on drawing. The writing is clear, the approach valuable and the author's/artist's writing style is very personable and encouraging. The companion CD is also really helpful and adds a powerful extra dimension to the book. I love good books on art technique and this is one of them.