Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure

This is a must have book for any artist. The book is like a guide for home reparis. Only the subject matter is figure, clothing, portraits, and posture of figures, eyeballs and noses, and even how to hold a pencil. An example of the excellent instruction is on how to draw a cloth fold. "Imagine ants as they follow trails over the fold. They disappear and reappear." The information is better then any class I have taken or book I have read. It is not a book just on technique, but it teaches how to see the object. Barbara Bradley shares a road map, and shell tells what signs to watch out for and what intersections can create a problem. Every artist should have this book.

So much more than just a book on drawing clothes, which I thought was the main emphasis from the title. Not so. This book is the crux of drawing at its finest. Packed with jewels and gems of information on rendering many different aspects and problems of drawing the figure. Nearly every page is of value. Topics such as "Stretch and Compression","Wraparound and Overlapping Forms", "Relationships", "Rhythm and Continuity" as well as basic essentials on structure of the figure and drawing problems an artist might encounter. I have a full library of drawing books and this is by far one of the most informative. A classroom in a book!

Barbara Bradley's book, "Drawing People" is a completely comprehensive approach to figure drawing.She covers every technical challenge, from physically setting-up to draw and various mediums to use, to proper figure proportions and nuances in facial and hand gestures, to portraying correct fabric texture and draping on the figure.She not only conveys every technical aspect of learning good draughtsmanship, she speaks to the heart and soul of the artist, instructing them to form an opinion of a subject before translating it to paper.The subtle power of her expressive poses suceeds in conveying the true essence of great figure drawing...the emotional heart of portraying a human being.Beginners will learn from it but this book is easily an art instructors' secret weapon.Sincerely,Sandrah Raef Moles

As a former student of Barbara's, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning to draw better. Although it could never be as informative and inspirational as actually taking her class, this book is about as close as you can get. All of her lectures are included with many fine drawing examples culled from her students' works as well as from her own portfolio. Although it only captures the barest fraction of her knowledge and talent, this book is an excellent resource for any artist, from the novice looking for direction, to the accomplished draughtsman who could maybe use a few tips and reminders.

As an artist and past student of Barbara, I felt this book deserves my first book review here!I truly wished this book was made available to all of us many years ago, to be more exact I wish this book was made available to me twenty years ago. Barbara has taught alongside some of the best illustrators of her time, and has been an influence in directing some of today's best.About her book, for so long we have made Andrew Loomis' books as our drawing textbook and deservedly so, today and finally we can all experience Barbara's teaching in her book. You will learn about drawing the figure, construction of folds over the body, OPINION, rhythm, and continuity and more, by looking at her examples and reading her book.Basically I'm writing this book review, because people like my younger brother, for example, in another country and love to draw, should all know a drawing book like this is finally available, and shouldn't be without! I still wish I had this book sooner!