The Human Form in Art

Adolphe Armand Braun

• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Year: 2013
• eBook ISBN: 9780486147529
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Teaching Art

As individual as a snowflake, the human body is a marvel of form and function. This dramatic compilation of 166 studies—photographs, line drawings, and sculptures—serves as both an exhilarating exhibition and an important reference. Key topics include:
Anatomy
Proportion
Motion
Other advice covers the selection of models, the human form in sculpture, and the role of art in the theater. Artists at every level of experience as well as art lovers will benefit from this classic guide.

DRAWINGS FROM LIFE

STUDY. BY F. E. JACKSON

A beautiful composition. Note the admirable and direct drawing, the expert modelling, the classic feeling.

Mr. F. E. Jackson draws with sparkling intelligence. His sketches reveal learning, discipline and due reverence for Nature.

RAPID SKETCH. BY HARRY WATSON, R.W.S.

It is interesting to note how the details which interested the artist are accentuated and excellently drawn. The right arm, for instance, abounds in anatomical suggestion.

Gifted with a taste for serious study, subtle affinities with nature and quick perceptions, Mr. Harry Watson, R.W.S., interprets form with convincing simplicity and utmost delicacy.

CHALK DRAWING. BY HARRY WATSON, R.W.S.

There is evidence of much searching out in the modelling of this well-proportioned figure.

STUDY IN PENCIL. BY HARRY WATSON, R.W.S.

A drawing full of vitality displayed by the racy outline and the accidents of light and shade where the various muscles are in action.

STUDY. BY HARRY WATSON, R.W.S.

One of Mr. Watson’s Friday night demonstration studies at the Regent Street Polytechnic, in which a crouching figure is vigorously delineated. The lighting is well expressed and the strained attitude is one of expectancy.

STUDY IN PENCIL. BY HARRY WATSON, R.W.S.

The keen pencil strokes and well-indicated shadows of this rapid sketch reveal expert though by no means ostentatious knowledge of anatomy. The model is posed in a devotional attitude.

STUDY. BY HARRY WATSON, R.W.S.

A graceful study of a foreign type. Note how well the foot is drawn.

THE TAUT FIGURE. BY RANDOLPH SCHWABE

THE FLEXED FIGURE. BY RANDOLPH SCHWABE

A masterly study of flowing lines and planes under which the construction is evident.

THE FIGURE AT EASE. BY RANDOLPH SCHWABE

Well-suggested flesh and showing the figure in a relaxed position.

Mr. Randolph Schwabe is versatile ; he builds up and simplifies and draws and composes in the manner of a confirmed craftsman.

RED CHALK DRAWING. STUDY FOR FIGURES ON WAR MEMORIAL. BY FRANK DOBSON

Mr. Frank Dobson is one of our foremost sculptors. He endows even his simplest figure sketches with breadth and classical beauty.

RED CHALK STUDY FOR FIGURES ON WAR MEMORIAL. BY FRANK DOBSON

The work of an inspired artist.

STUDY. BY J. A. GRANT

Mr. J. A. Grant has originality of conception and approach, and is bold, though scrupulously truthful, in execution.

WASH DRAWING IN FLESH TINT. BY J. A. GRANT

This rough sketch conveys the artist’s command of form, and reveals the lines on which he bases his rapid construction. The pose accentuates the ...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• FOREWORD
• Table of Contents
• THE ART OF DRAWING FROM LIFE
• THE ETHICS OF NUDITY
• THE GREEK IDEAL
• BEAUTY OF THE HUMAN FORM
• MODELS FOR ARTISTS
• SELECTING THE MODEL
• SITTING FOR THE FIGURE
• ARTISTS’ MODELS THEN AND NOW
• THE HUMAN FORM IN PHOTOGRAPHY
• DRAWINGS FROM LIFE
• THE HAND
• PERSPECTIVE IN FIGURE-WORK AND VARIOUS MEDIA
• NOTE ON THE ORIGIN AND PRACTICE OF MEZZOTINT - AND THE RECENT WORK OF R. C. PETER, A.R.E., IN THE MEDIUM
• A NEGLECTED MEDIUM
• THE HUMAN FORM IN SCULPTURE
• ART IN THE THEATRE
• ANATOMICAL DIAGRAMS