Classic Human Anatomy in Motion by Valerie Winslow provides the anatomical background to assist the artist in drawing human figures. This book is well written and illustrated with hundreds of drawing (basic as well as advanced drawings). The content is well organized in the following easy to read chapters,
- Bones and Surface Landmarks
- Joints and Joint Movement
- Muscle and Tendon Characteristics
- Facial Muscles and Expressions
- Muscles of the Neck and Torso
- Muscles of the Arm and Hand
- Muscles of the Leg and Foot
- Body Types, Surface Landmarks, and Soft-Tissue Characteristics
- Structures and Planes of the Figure
- Gesture and Action Drawing
- Finding Movement within the Stationary Figure
- Rhythmic Movement
- Sequential Movement
This book was enjoyable to read with many high-quality illustrations. The illustrations revealed the bones and muscles of the human body as depicted in an anatomy book. The author provides analogies throughout the book to help the artist picture the anatomical structure (e.g. the scapula may compared to a trowel). She provides helpful pronunciation tools throughout the book along with helpful background for helping the reader to understand, “. . . the Greek root skaptein means “to dig” – most likely a reference to the scapula’s trowel-like shape, (p. 17).
As I read through the book I was reminded of amazing wonder of the human body. The Psalmist realized this fact as he wrote,
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. (Psalm 139:14)
This book helps the artist to apply anatomical knowledge to enhance one’s art. Overall, I’d recommend this book for anyone who wants to improve the accuracy of their illustration of human figures. (I received this book for free for this review).
Associate Pastor – Discipleship. The Church at LifePark
Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University
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