Rating: 
Summary: An outstanding visual reference
Review: Any artist interested in portraying the human form knows how expensive model fees can be. Traditional pose books are often very good, but naturally show only one or two angles of the same pose. This can be especially frustrating for artists working in three dimensions, like I do.In this book/CD set, Chakkour has compiled 34 female poses and 18 male poses, some in color and others in black and white. The model is posed on a "lazy susan" type turning platform, which is turned a few degrees for each still shot. This means that the very good lighting is constant at every angle, allowing for clear veiw of the body's curves and cast shadows. In those poses where the model is extremely "exposed" (legs overhead, for instance), there is very faint, tasteful shading that does nothing to detract from the usefulness of the shot. Each pose is given one full page of the book, with six views of the pose displayed on the page. The companion CD-ROM (PC/MAC compatible) then displays each pose in nearly seamless 180 degrees. Using the mouse, the user can rotate the model the full 180 degrees, backward and forward. I have a few very minor quibbles that I hope Chakkour will address in the next volume. First, a top-down view would be extremely valuable for sculpture work, but I can see how setting up the shot may make this unfeasible. Second, some of the poses aren't very dynamic, or the models look stiff and unnatural. Third, in a very few occasions, I've seen the pose change slightly as I rotate the model. That is, an arm or head drops a little more at each turn of the platform, until it's several inches lower than the starting pose. None of these quibbles are serious deterrents, however, and the book/CD remain my single favorite tool for working at my home studio. Now if I could just figure out how to rotate the model without getting clay on the mouse...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent reference for all artists
Review: As a graphic artist called upon to frequently draw human figures, I am always looking for good reference materials. This book is aimed a bit more toward fine artists, but it is still a valuable addition to my reference library. Unlike many photo reference books I own, the photos here are sharp and clear and the poses are useful and classic. The CD is very helpful since nearly everything is done on the computer these days. If you are looking to sharpen your nude figure drawing skills, this is the book for you. I would like to see another similar edition containing more photos...and clothed figures too...from all angles.
Rating:
Summary: I refer to this book/CD-ROM time and time again
Review: As an aspiring artist/animator I find this book to be critical in my pursuit of artistic decency. Although nothing can replace life drawing (live model in front of you) the images of the models in the book will be adequate for the times when you don't have access to a model (friends will be wierded-out, and art schools and paid escorts can get expensive, LOL). The best thing is that you can "rotate" the models to get the angles and perpective you want. I am just hoping that version 3 will come out really soon.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable, Priceless Resource
Review: As an aspiring cartoonist and animator, the figure alone stands as the basis and cornerstone of ANY artistic undertaking relating to these fields. In the process of my self-education of art and drawing skills, a significant roadblock presents itself again and again...where to find decent subjects with which to practice. With a wealth of knowledge lying in the books that I have purchased (Nicolaides, Bridgman, Hogarth, Ames, Edwards, etc.) it is not only necessary, but ESSENTIAL to be able to find suitable subjects with which to practice and develop one's skill. I've tried everything from sketching my roommates to trying to find pictures online (giving less than satisfactory or savory results I might add). I had almost given up until I happened upon this product by Mr. Chakkour. I could not believe my eyes. THIS was what I had been looking for all along! A way to study the model with more than acceptable image quality, professionally and artistically exquisite poses and models, and most of all CONSISTENCY. Consistency is the key. Without a place to gain access to a live model, photos have been until now the only alternative. But Mr. Chakkour has raised the bar, giving full 360 degree rotation around the model in a variety of interesting and challenging poses. Also key is the tastefully done lighting, setting the mood for each pose and allowing clear definition of the forms. This is an incredible resource for anyone wanting to study the figure in depth. You may find, however, that the small viewing window is difficult to handle when trying to create a larger sketch. This is easily remedied by simply opening up the individual quick time movies in quick time by exploring the cd from "my computer" (on your desktop). You can then scale the window to whatever size you wish. Even on a 19" monitor with 1280x1024 resolution, the smoothness and quality of the image is retained with more than admirable quality.
I hope you all find this helpful. I know that those who have run into the same roadblocks as I have will find this to be a much needed breakthrough towards furthering their education. ENJOY, and thank you, Mr. Chakkour and Ms. Loewe.
Rating:
Summary: Better than the first - and the first was great!!
Review: Having seen both VP1 and now VP2 (at a book convention) I must say the depth of this new edition is amazing. Tutorials, music, models, all outstanding. You can choose from many more models, looks, and poses this time, all tasteful but intriguing. I will be among the first to purchase this based on the copy I saw at the convention - but not the last, I'm sure!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and beautifully-done- a perfect gift!
Review: I LOVE VirtualPose2! Mario Henri Chakkour brings computer techhnology and his own music to 360 degree views of professional nude artist models in VirtualPose2. A clinical psychologist who works with people to help them release their creativity, I was pleased, for myself and for my clients who need access to the human figure for their art, to find at a bookstore this book of lovely photographs. Then, I was unexpectedly thrilled to discover the CDRom (included) that DOES virtually bring posed models into one's home for nude figure drawing - from all sides - 24 hours a day! I think this THE perfect gift for any artist or for any person appreciative of photography of the human form. I am glad to see it at Amazon.com and recommend it highly to you. Susan D. Griffith, Ph.D.
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat Disappointng
Review: I purchased this book based on the fairly favorable reviews it has received. Upon receipt, I was disappointed. The book contains 80 pages. About 50 are dedicated to actual photographs. Each photograph page contains 6 plates measuring about 2 1/2 x 4 inches. From a practical standpoint, this is very small. The images are clear and sharper than in similar books. However, this clearness does little to make up for the small scale. The book uses 6 models. 4 women and 2 men. In my opinion, with the exception of maybe one, the females are all of the same basic body type. Think supermodel. They are generally long, lean, and slender. The poses of the one female that may be a more realistic size and shape are crouching and covering type poses. When considering the men, one has what I would describe as a "beach volleyball" physique. The other is a bit more burly. All the models used are undeniably attractive. Perhaps a bit too attractive. There is almost a generic, sterile quality to them. Some of the most inspiring aspects of the human body are the variations and nuances. I don't know if that is represented in this edition. Furthermore, the models sport very tight, unnatural bikini waxes. Apparently, this necessitated some air brushing in some of the vital areas. The accompanying cd-rom is a nice concept. It offers the some of the same images as the book. These images can be moved, rotated, and enlarged. Unfortunately, unless you have a laptop or a dedicated PC/Mac in your studio, I don't know how useful it is going to be. Although suggested elsewhere, I have not found a way to print the images. It is fun to play with. The accompying music is good. Other than that, I don't know how much use I will get from it. In conclusion, the overall concept of virtualpose2 is great. I'm not sure if the intention was to publish a great book with a useful cd-rom, or a great cd-rom with a useful hardback reference. For me, neither are very satisfying. Finally, larger pictures, less glamour, and less reliance on slick production would have made this edition much more functional for the practicing artist.
Rating: 
Summary: Censor Happy
Review: I really liked the idea of this book. The photos are nice BUT they are tooooo small. And, they censored the females, but not the males. What artist wants that? GROW UP! The rotation tool on the CD is really great. Love it! BUT again the pictures are too small. Even with the zoom, you loose resolution. Not useful for sketching with my computer. The movie lessons included are nice, would like more of that. If they improve those two matters, then I could recommend this book. Untill then, pass.
Rating: 
Summary: Not enough balance between men and women
Review: I think the book is wonderful, and has many active poses which I find very useful, but I would have liked the book much better if there had been an even distribution of poses between men and women. I also would have preferred a side-by-side format where you could see the woman in one pose and the man in an identical pose beside her. In this way you could see the differences more clearly between how a woman should be drawn and how a man should be drawn. As it is the women take up the majority of the front of the book and the men the back 1/3, and there are absolutely no shared poses.
Rating:
Summary: Not enough balance between men and women
Review: I think the book is wonderful, and has many active poses which I find very useful, but I would have liked the book much better if there had been an even distribution of poses between men and women. I also would have preferred a side-by-side format where you could see the woman in one pose and the man in an identical pose beside her. In this way you could see the differences more clearly between how a woman should be drawn and how a man should be drawn. As it is the women take up the majority of the front of the book and the men the back 1/3, and there are absolutely no shared poses.
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