Virtual Pose : The Ultimate Visual Reference Series for Drawing the Human Figure (contains a CD-ROM)

Rating:
Summary: absolutely useless
Review: although its a great idea, the CDROM is absolutely useless as a photo reference. this goes for figure drawing and other uses of the figure. the closeups are grainy at best and the navigation nothing more that a novelty without high resolution. the tutorial has some merit for just beginning, but not really useful beyond a very short introduction. i am embarassed to admit that i was lured into buying this book.

Rating:
Summary: Feeling comfortable about nude cubism
Review: I walked into my first advanced drawing class and into my first figure drawing class, feeling uncertain of the results I would have. With excelent personal instruction and my own talents I was able to make two very good grades and finish feeling as though I had accomplished a lot. At this point all of my questions were not answered however. My questions about Picasso and Wilhem de Kooning and what method they used to get such superb results with their figure paintings and drawings. Also I soon realized that I wanted as much information about the process of figure drawing that I could find. It is to the adult and serious artist more than just looking at nudity that is part of the evolution of a great drawing. For me, when I discovered Virtual Pose, I had discovered another new path to journey on that has allowed me to expand my own talents while providing a clear and clean base to begin from. Having Virtual Pose for me is like having your own personal model to pose for you 24 hours a day. The music is very creative and the poses are many and well thought out. This book and the Virtual Pose series are worth ten times the price. I found that it is a great reference for me as well. Often, after a class session I can go to my Virtual Pose library and see just that pose that I liked so well in class. Henri Chakkour, is publishing Virtual Pose II in January, I'm reallly looking forward to having it too.

Rating:
Summary: Bravo Mario! A must have tool for artists.
Review: I will try to address a couple of issues that seem to be popping up over and over. This book and CD has certainly stirred up some emotion. First, the author clearly states in his editorial review (please check above) how many poses it contains and the number of images and what not. This is an old issue which has been resolved, I think. Second, I think this book is not for everyone. And, my guess is that you will either love it or hate it, mainly because it is more than a mere reference for poses (there are plenty of books on the market that cover a whole range of the pose spectrum...) Artists refer to nudes images in reference books everyday. These books, (like the Pose File Collection, of which I own 6 books) are all grainy and do not show that much detail, let alone display the nudes in a large format. Yet, I use them all the time. Why? For the form and the anatomy. Also, whether the Pose Book collection, or others, from the sheer number of poses to the novelty of the approach, each seems to present a perspective that complements the others. Same with Virtual Pose. I don't think it should be thought of as a replacement, or a remedy...it's the first step in a whole new approach.

So, taking what exists on the market solely from the photographic quality point of view (they all fall short in that department.)...now imagine these pictures rotating around the axis...allowing you to absorb a lot of information easier...now imagine Music and tutorials...now imagine a book that is meant to inspire one to draw. Now, imagine paying less for what you would pay for one class. Yes, it has only 18 poses (each pose offers 36 views, by the way) but, its potential to inspire and teach by "showing" sure makes up for it. And this issue of Zooming...Please...not relevant or necessary to a real artist looking at the pose. I am sure it would be a wonderful gimmick. But, I am sure that would have meant that the files would have needed to be a lot larger and the computational limits of one's system pushed to its limits. The tutorials are a great way to see "how it is done". So, here is who I recommend this book to: everyone who has never experienced the magic of a life drawing class. This will not only inspire you to draw, but will encourage you to actually join a class! It's the best gift you can bestow on an aspiring artist. To those simply looking for a collection of nothing-but-poses, I truly recommend you look elsewhere. This is a lyrical approach and an homage to the art of drawing the nude.

Rating:
Summary: Wondful Merging of Art, Human Figure, & Technology...
Review: In "Virtual Pose : The Ultimate Visual Reference Series for Drawing the Human Figure" (Book & CD-ROM), Mario H. Chakkour has brilliantly merged the concepts of fine art, the human figure, and multimedia technology into a wonderful tool for artists. Combining his artistic background, technological knowledge, and vision, Chakkour has created a developing artist's dream in this multimedia package which contains a visual library of the classically posed human form captured in the photographic images of exceptional male and female models hand-picked by Chakkour.

Within the pages of the hardback book, the artist will find the series of classical poses with several large images of the models shot from different angles around the horizontal plan which provides the artist with the opportunity to render and study the human form from various angles. However, Chakkour does not stop here; instead, he takes this multimedia package to the next level through the use of computer technology. On the CD-ROM, Chakkour combines several series of photographic images taken from fixed angle rotations around model in a multiple image overlay that allows the artist to rotate the model completely around the horizontal plane (as if the model were posing in the center of a theater in the round and the artist were able to elect to study or render the model from any front row seat around the model). In this manner the developing artist can render and study the anatomical composition and structure of the classically posed model from any vantage point around the horizontal plane. In addition, Chakkour has added a couple of rather nice finishing touches to his multimedia package including several inspirational musical scores which can be played in the background as one works as well as some of his own thoughts on the subject of art and the rendering of the human form.

Virtual Pose is certainly a helpful tool for any artist working with the human figure; however, it is particularly suited for developing artists learning to render the human figure and an invaluable teaching supplement for instructors and their students in any human figure course. I only wish something like this was available throughout the many years this reviewer studied fine art and the human figure. I cannot help but believe that this multimedia package would have made a fine companion to the classic standard among artists "Anatomy for the Artist." It is certainly my hope that this innovative multimedia package is only the first in a series. Virtual Pose is without a doubt a wonderful tool for a developing artist of any skill level who would wish to render and study the human form.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful Multimedia Guide for Drawing the Perfect Creation
Review: Mario Chakkour has taken the world of artistic drawing and the human body and created a significant multimedia project in "Virtual Pose". Drawing the human figure becomes a less dramatic artistic undertaking and more of an enjoyable (the CD-ROM comes complete with soundtrack!) experience. The overall work is distinguished by Chakkour's interpretations, numerous classic poses by the models and the companion CD-ROM. The lens of Welton Doby has provided the models with a natural aura, which aids clarity. The CD-ROM, another sign that art is utilizing mainstream technology at its edges, allows the artist to see the human form in its essential three dimensions. In its entirety, "Virtual Pose" is an attempt by Chakkour to blaze trails as he has done in his previous projects. The result is the illumination for artists of the "perfect creation".

Rating:
Summary: A great way to pursue drawing the human figure
Review: Virtual Pose is a remarkable combination of technology, art, and aesthetics! I found this an easy way to approach drawing or sketching the human figure -- no concerns about a model getting fidgety or uncomfortable. The models are extremely well chosen and are a joy to contemplate. 360% rotation available through the CD makes it possible to capture any aspect of the figure and to appreciate it in a way no flat photo can match. For those who like music as a counterpoint to concentration, as I do, the CD sound track is a nice collection of themes which fit nicely with the poses. I have enjoyed this book and CD immensely. I especially like the notion that I can work at will, not having to wait until the class starts or the studio opens. This is an excellent means to study the art of the human figure!

Rating:
Summary: misleading and disappointing
Review: Virtual Pose is the most unique tool ever developed for all artists interested in drawing the human figure. As an artist, imagine being able to collect an entire LIBRARY of human poses by numerous professional models, with the ability to rotate the poses 360 degrees and draw or paint the figure from any angle, all for a relatively modest cost. This sounds too good to be true, but this is exactly what Virtual Pose offers.

Buy this extremely unique tool and in time you and I and all artists (amateur and professional) will be able to obtain our own complete library of "virtual poses" from which to work as new editions of Virtual Pose are offered, providing:

1) A huge variety of poses, both female and male, by numerous wonderful professional models.

2) Poses that can be rotated 360 degrees to provide an almost unlimited variety of angles from which to draw and paint.

3) The ability to zoom in on any pose for increased variety and flexibility.

4) Portrait rotating poses for use in perfecting the drawing of facial features (at least I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this in upcoming editions of Virtual Pose).

5) An invaluable collection of movies providing drawing instruction by professional artists.

6) Plus, any additional features that I'm sure Mario has in mind to add to future editions of Virtual Pose.

Virtual Pose is the first time ever a relatively inexpensive tool has been available to all artists with the unique features listed above. NOTHING ELSE COMES CLOSE! And I'm sure all artists interested in drawing and painting the human figure will agree with me, that the idea of obtaining an entire library, offering a great variety of rotating poses, by a variety of truly inspirational professional models, with invaluable drawing instruction included, is extremely exciting.

I can't wait until the next edition of Virtual Pose is available. Purchase this first edition of Virtual Pose, see the concept, and I am sure you will agree!