Inno -E Books
- Publisher: Watson-Guptill
- Number Of Pages: 160
- Publication Date: 1989-02-01
- Sales Rank: 79453
- ISBN / ASIN: 0823013766
- EAN: 9780823013760
- Binding: Paperback
- Manufacturer: Watson-Guptill
- Studio: Watson-Guptill
- Average Rating: 4
- Total Reviews: 8
Review: A worthwhile addition to the reference library
I picked up this book while taking a drawing class on portraiture, and I found it to be an excellent supplement to the material I was learning in class. Hogarth takes the reader through the basics of measuring facial proportions, shadow and light planes, and anatomical details that are important to keep in mind when trying to draw realistically. While some of it may seem like overkill at first, with practice it becomes clear how paying attention to such small details (such as the various areas of light and shadow on a nose, or around the eye socket) can help improve one's ability to create a convincing human head in any medium of artwork.
There are reasons to be critical of the book, however. As my art teacher pointed out, Hogarth's illustrations are extremely high contrast, emphasizing light and shadow for teaching purposes much more so than they should be in a realistic drawing. Some sections are more filler than actual useful information as well, such as the "Gallery of Great Heads"; I could have used more detail on taking the anatomical information of the earlier sections and how to apply it to portraiture and creating a specific likeness.
Overall, though, this is one of the better books I've found on the subject and I do find myself using it as a reference when needed.
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