Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters

Rating:
Summary: Excellent content
Review: An excellent book on artistic anatomy. Reading this one book has taught me more than some figure drawing classes. A systematic deconstruction of how the masters of artistic anatomy have integrated their knowledge into some of the greatest drawings of all time. The book goes through the drawings of famous artists, categorized by the region of the body on which the drawings are focused, and attempts to explain how extensive knowledge of anatomy has been effectively applied. It touches on how these artists could create drawings which are more powerful than merely a photographic rendering of the model through their use of anatomy.

Unfortunately, the book is very cheaply bound. Entire leaves have detached themselves from the spine, though I have treated the book very well. My copy has turned into a stack of paper and scotch tape, wrapped loosely in its former cover. Despite that fact, I still consider it worth the purchase.

I have both this book and "Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters." Both are excellent books, but if you must only buy one, get this one. It is the better of the two.

Rating:
Summary: This book helped improve my technique in art school.
Review: As an art student having problems in my life drawing class, finding this book in the school's library was a great discovery for me. Not only did I buy it later on, but I also recommend it to art students, or the amateur artist.

Rating:
Summary: The One and Only
Review: Hale was unique. This book is as close to a top-notch artistic anatomy class as you can get without actually being in the room. Hale demonstrates how the masters portrayed human bone and muscle through a detailed examination of numerous works. By clearly pointing out how and where each artist indicated the underlying anatomical structure of his figures, Hale reveals a wide range of techniques while driving home his point that it is truly worthwhile to study this stuff until it becomes part of the artist. His mildly condescending tone is a trifle irritating at times -- but it's easy to forgive so distinguished and generous a teacher for a lack of patience with the slipshod work of the novice.

By the way: get the hardcover. This is a working book -- you'll use it again and again, and you'll want it in your studio as a ready reference. It's stood the test of time, so the investment is worth it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent! Will advance your drawing / painting skills!
Review: I teach human anatomy, and I draw and paint the human figure. Not until I took up studying artistic anatomy through Hale's book, especially this one, did my drawing skills and drawings and paintings zoom ahead in quality. Well worth the money, will provide hours, indeed years of reference for study.

Rating:
Summary: Good book, but lacks in the following.
Review: Pick up this book if you are looking for a great artistic anatomy reference book. If you are looking for more than reference, however, you might want to look elsewhere. While this book is definitely good, it doesn't give the artist direction in how to draw or depict the illustrations. The text is pretty much straight-forward, usually only noting the parts of the bodies in the images. Second, this book lacks the poetic and great writing of Robert Beverly Hale.

Anatomy Lessons from the Great Masters is more of an extra reference book or a supplement to Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters. In that book, Hale really teaches to the reader whats needed to depict anatomy, what steps the artist must take, gives tips on how to become a great or accomplished artist, why the artists of the past were so good, what mistakes beginners of figure drawing usually make, and sooooo much more. It's pretty much an incredible book to have even if you're not into figure drawing.

I think Anatomy Lessons would probably be more highly regarded in my eyes had Drawing Lessons been nonexistent. Anatomy Lessons is great for further reference, if thats what you're looking for though. I probably wouldn't recommend anyone to buy this book unless you already own or have thoroughly read and studied Drawing Lessons by the Great Masters.

Rating:
Summary: Over-worked pseudo-intellectualized error-packed compendium
Review: This book is best used for viewing its selection of Master Drawings many of which are superb. However, its written text is filled with multitudes of factual errors and pseudo-intellectualizations. It should be noted that this book was not written by Hale; it was written by one of his students and lacks the quality of Hale's classic, "Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters." Instead, this book loses itself in unimportant, erroneous anatomical minutia which will baffle, confuse, frustrate and ultimatly demoralize the innocent, motivated reader. It greatly misses the mark in both clarity and presentation of important anatomical theory.

Rating:
Summary: Stop wasting time and buy it!
Review: This is the best book you can find if you want to learn about how to sketch the human figure. Buy it and start copying the sketches inside. Over and over again! Imitating the old masters will teach you things you never dreamed of and will rub off on you when you do your own work. This book has excellent reproductions of 100 super drawings. Each drawing even has accompanying commentary. By the time you're done, you will understand like never before why the drawings work, and you will be able to look at other drawings and understand them better, as well. Stop wasting time reading this review...BUY THE BOOK!