Figure Painting Step by Step

This is certainly a good book. Clear and amply illustrated in an expressive style of painting. The contents of this book and four others (oils, acrylics, watercolors, portraits) are contained together in the author's massive book: The Complete Painting Course: A Guide to Techniques in Oils, Watercolors and AcrylicsThe Complete Painting Course: A Guide to Techniques in Oils, Watercolors and Acrylics. If I were to recommend a single purchase for the beginning painter, it would be the more comprehensive edition.

This book is good for beginners in oil figure painting. It is thorough and instructional.

As you may see in the preview pages, it covers materials and basic techniques in the rendition of female figures in oil. It is also well-written, very readable, and full of practical advice (from how to choose materials to how to find live models). The demonstrations covered in the book are presented clearly and step-by-step (as stated in the title).

For readers who consider buying this book: In the beginning, the book covers how to paint each part of a (generic) female figure. It then moves on to showing how to paint females in different positions. In essence, the artist does a quick sketch in umber (thin wash in turpentine) or charcoal to capture the gesture of the figure. The sketching involves using simple blocks to render torso, hip, legs, etc. This method perhaps is much appreciated by readers who still have not established facility in drawing complex figure gestures. The artist then continues with a dark-to-light approach, rendering masses of shadow and flesh colors; and finishes the painting with highlighted details.

If the above is still not helpful enough, let me be more opinionated, as follows:

- There are NO shortcuts in learning to become a good oil figure painter. This book only serves well as a STARTING GUIDE for beginning oil painters, rather than a comprehensive document as to how to paint female figures.

- When starting to learn something new, as in any discipline, a beginner who follows strictly the instructions will make good progresses. In my opinion, this book will guarantee the "breakthrough" that beginners are looking for. Namely, the level of confusion in the very first figure painting session will soon be diminished, likeness (in terms of gesture and color rendition) will be improved, etc.

- On the other hand, if the readers are looking for other approaches and techniques, perhaps there are two things to do: experimenting a lot and referring themselves to other books of this genre. (See my "About You Area" for a recommended list.)