Book Review: Figure Drawing: Design and Invention
The approach covered is primarily concerned with the use of line, development of form, and the simplified design of anatomy. It doesn't go into contour drawing, shading and expression.
The many illustrated examples are aimed at helping students develop a feel for the form and volume of figures they draw. To that aspect, I think it does a very good job.
The use of simple geometric shapes as drawing guides are simple to understand. Not only that, Michael Hampton also builds onto to those simplified mannequins with lots of clearly illustrated muscles. The muscle groups are visualised very distinctly in the examples. They are colour-coded to bring attention those that affect form when the body is in different positions.
I like the part on finding landmarks — bones that are near the skin. Colour-coded and shown very clearly, with rotating views from front to back.
The book does have head drawing but the focus is on the form rather than the details of the features, although the examples do show the details. It still covers enough for for anyone to draw a decent head.
One thing that's missing is the mention of figure proportions, like how many heads tall a body, length of an arm, etc. That I think will complete the book. There's nothing on bones and you won't learn how muscle works, but this isn't an anatomy reference book. That said, having an anatomy reference book to go along will be extremely helpful.
This is a useful book for artists learning figure drawing, creating and posing figures. Recommend for beginner and intermediate artists.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
Figure Drawing: Design and Invention is available at Amazon (US | CA | UK | DE | FR | IT | ES | JP)
Above's the cover for the 2nd edition.
Visit the link beside to read more reviews on Amazon.
This book is available at:
Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | Amazon.fr | Amazon.it | Amazon.es | Amazon.co.jp
Asia readers can find the book at Basheer Graphic Books. Check with Basheer on Facebook or email them (enquiry @ basheergraphic.com) for stock information.
Comments
This book looks so freaking
This book looks so freaking amazing! I am definitely getting it!
4.5/5 smh..... this should
4.5/5 smh..... this should have gotten 5
Just my preference. Certainly
Just my preference. Certainly a 5 for most people.
How good is this book to
How good is this book to beginners?
Not unexpectedly, the link to
Not unexpectedly, the link to the German amazon-page doesn't work. Not a chance to order this from amazon.de! :-(
@Vainamoinen Sorry about the
@Vainamoinen
Sorry about the link. The book's currently only sold on Amazon US at the moment, unless you choose international shipping.
This book looks really good
This book looks really good but I haven't seen it at any local book stores in SG and it's really pricey on Amazon compared to the other books. Thanks for posting though, something to keep in mind!
You know if published in
You know if published in Europe. I'm from Spain and would love to get this book.
Thank you!
@Homy As far as I know,
@Homy
As far as I know, currently it's not sold in other countries other than US. Amazon US has international shipping — that's how I got mine.
Thank you very much for the
Thank you very much for the quick response. I could say the cost of shipping and the steps to follow, I have never purchased from Amazon.
Thank you
Looks good, but I don't
Looks good, but I don't really know, the sucky part is that it is so much!
I FINALLY managed to get a
I FINALLY managed to get a copy of this. Not easy from Germany!
I'd say your verdict of 4.5 stars is accurate, from first glance. Hampton has put together quite an impressive method of building the figure. He takes a lot from Bammes' principles, and mostly, he succeeds in simplifying them enormously. The treatment of the leg is a bit neglected, tough, and sometimes, his mode of joining muscle to bone just doesn't feel right (external oblique to thorax, for example). That's the problem with simplification, I guess.
I can't wait to find the time to experiment with his suggestions, nonetheless!
any chance you could tell me
any chance you could tell me how you got a hold of a copy here in germany?
@Anonymous Amazon US does
In reply to any chance you could tell me by Anonymous (not verified)
@Anonymous
Amazon US does ship this book overseas. The shipping charges should be around US$10.
I know there's really no
I know there's really no chance of it, but I was wondering if this book is going to get re-stocked. Was going to make a purchase two weeks ago, but had this funny feeling that the amazon stock weren't up to date.
Thanks.
@Daniel You can try
In reply to I know there's really no by Daniel (not verified)
@Daniel
You can try contacting the author Michael Hampton at figuredrawing.info or see if there are stocks on his website.
This book is back in stock
This book is back in stock with a 2nd edition printing. The cover (shown below) is different and some drawings were replaced with new ones.
It's stocked by Amazon, and in Asia, Basheer Graphic Books. Links above.
HI, Where can i buy this book
HI,
Where can i buy this book using paypal accout?
@Anonymous Labyrinth (Canada)
In reply to HI, Where can i buy this book by Anonymous (not verified)
@Anonymous
Labyrinth (Canada) and Basheer Graphic Books (Asia) accepts Paypal.
Hi, Is this book in stock
Hi,
Is this book in stock with a 1st edition or 2nd edition on Amazon?
Hi, is it the book on
Hi, is it the book on Amazon.com the 1st or the 2nd edition??
@Eli I would guess it's the
In reply to Hi, is it the book on by Eli (not verified)
@Eli
I would guess it's the 2nd edition since it was out of stock before.
Buy it, if you paint, draw,
Buy it, if you paint, draw, or 3D anything remotely human or non human in your art...you have to learn to draw the freaking body, face, hand, foot, all of it. If you do not study and learn well this basic skill and EXTREMELY important skill...you will always look like a poorly skilled amateur artist....you know what i mean. Besides you can then amaze your friends and family with your ability to draw a likeness...a easy feat once you understand what to look for. Additionally you will learn how to suggest with the simplest of mark detail that implies much more...pay attention to the shapes and flow of the figure and your lines and direction...hmmm...seems so simple...and the results will thrill you on to do more fantastic wonderful life bursting art. Go draw and paint now kiddies.
very beatufily photo and
very beatufily photo and video. very interesting....
This is an incredible book.
This is an incredible book. The author has combined the best of Bridgeman and Hogarth. This book needs to be longer and thicker.
Great book! A must for any illustrators library.
Fantastic and comprehensive
Fantastic and comprehensive book. If anyone knows of Michael Hampton doing a book on lighting and shading please let me know. He hints at the end then stops, which is understandable. Not the books focus. And if you KNOW Hampton, explain to him he needs to do it.
Not that I know of. He is
In reply to Fantastic and comprehensive by Anonymous (not verified)
Not that I know of.
He is currently teaching at my school (The Art Institute of Inland empire), and we haven't heard any such thing.
I have heard rumors that he was going to make a Comparative anatomy book, but then again Joe Weatherly made one already.
Ive just started reading this
Ive just started reading this book and immediately noticed that it neglects to properly explain
gesture drawing, yes it breaks it down into parts, assymetry, repetition and contour however when doing a gesture drawing do I start with the head ? the torso? What about the line of the spine? Nothing is really explained. At least with Vilppu he breaks down gesture drawing a bit but even his explanation is inadequte.
It looks better than most figure drawing books as far as I can tell but thats not saying much since most of them are abysmal, it seems that artists are just really poor at explaining their techniques..
The 3rd edition of this book
The 3rd edition of this book has been published (2011)....just to let anyone know.
I just recently looked up
I just recently looked up this book on Amazon because I got lucky and stumbled upon it at a Barnes and Noble locally, after peaking inside I had to invest the money. As an artist I get a lot of questions about good books or studies to look at for bettering artist skills and this is one of my highest recommended books of all time. I was so enticed to create a video review, never done something like this before now but this book made me want to do this. Once again, beyond priceless book and you won't spend what the worth is on it! A suggested buy to any artist of all skill level please make sure to leave good reviews about the book at Amazon for the author. So glad to see other people enjoying this one as much as me.
My video review was published on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Figure-Drawing-Design-Invention-Newest/product-r…
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