Learn to draw faces & portraits by doing.
Develop the very best fine art skills in the classical way. By copying drawing plates systematically.
This book is a compendium of the introductory facial drawings from three of the best classical drawing courses.
Containing many of the finest illustrations from Bernard Romain Julien, Charles Bargue & Charles Alberti.
I totally support the point of view of French art teachers of the 19th century that fine art students need to study the rich traditions of the classical art.
French schools at that time advocated the following sequence of art education:
- Drawing copies of classical art plates
- Copying drawings by the Old Masters
- Drawing classical casts - busts and figures
- Drawing live models
The 20th century brought various "isms" into art, and many art students become disillusioned with art education as it is practiced today.
Copying the Old Masters and studying their art is an important part of traditional art education. Copying classical masterpieces will develop a proper artistic taste and style. I believe that thousands of fine art students will improve greatly from such exercises.
Benefits are perpetual in the entire scope of the artist's development.
To have the ability to accurately record what the eye sees removing deviation or mental hindrance, I'd say is the basic principle behind this drawing system.
Once this is gained the artist is in a better position to integrate their imagination in a precision controlled manner.
Should you buy a copy of this book?
✓ If you're really serious about improving drawing skills, and you're willing to put in some hard hours of practice, then yes, you should definitely buy it.
✓ If you just love drawing and have cash to burn, you should buy it.
If you're in the habit of buying art instruction books but you cant really draw that much, this book isn't going to magically help you draw better.
But neither is any art book.
