Figures and Portraits

Drawing and painting well is every artist's dream, whether professional or amateur, but this requires a strong grasp of theory, an understanding of the tricks of the trade, and guided practice. These guides offer each of those fundamentals through step-by-step exercises, drawings of specific cases that tend to cause the most difficulties, and models to paint that include steps from professional artists. Also included in each are guidelines on watercolor paper that provide a reference and a jumping-off point for the creation of unique compositions and interpretations. Expressing a likeness for a subject, an accurate expression, and a suggestion of a person's character in a portrait are challenges that confront all artists. Included in this book are the tools artists need to learn to represent the different volumes and shadows on a face, features of a sleeping child, wrinkles and laugh lines, and textures of clothing. Models of different positions and moods provide references for artists to learn how to capture the personality and soul of their subjects.