Expressive Figure Drawing: New Materials, Concepts, and Techniques

I don't review often, but this book warrants all the praise it can get. It's incredibly inspiring. Also, I think it's aimed at a specific mindset - tinkerers who don't want to colour within the lines. Artists into hyper-realism might not learn much from this book, but the experimenters will be thoroughly inspired. The exercises are fun without being prescriptive, and lead to a journey of discovery. I am about 25% into the book and can already see a difference in how I approach art - in that way, it's a pretty cerebral experience too. The book clearly showcases methods, tools, mind sets for getting really expressive. What's great is how it gets you there by also showing you how to be economical with details. I'd say this is a great resource for folks who already have some basic skills - it'll take you many levels up. Beginners will learn some good practices like the compass and clock method of setting line direction and the value of being minimal. Experts will learn a new thought process. This book coupled with Keys to Drawing with Imagination by Bert Dodson and Pen & Ink Drawing by Alphonso Dunn are invaluable for technical expertise, finding your own style and evolving into the artist you are meant to be.

This paperback version of the book is 176 pages thick; and, contains example drawings(pen/pencil/charcoal)/watercolour paintings on each and every single page; too, there are detailed and clear step by step explanations being given explaining all of the many different techniques that were used to produce each example 'drawing/painting'.Frankly, I have only just received it in through the post; so, I haven't had time to read through it all, yet; but, immediately, I had to go take a look inside...and, so, I quickly glimpsed through going from cover to cover; then, I decided to try reading a few pages/passages; and, yes, I was very impressed by the quality of the writing/useful explanations/but, especially, by the fact that the examples given on each page do truly make me feel 'inspired' enough to wish to start drawing along... ;-)NOTE: This is not a book for those who are strongly into 'realism'...; instead, this book encourages you to 'experiment' with learning figure drawing; concerning, lines/blind contour drawing/outlines/mass/weight/direction/proportions/scribbles/design/concepts for form building/-etc.LATEST UPDATEAfter buying the book, and, looking through it. Next, I hopped over to YouTube to do a quick search to find: Bill Buchman...there I encountered seeing a few video clips of him teaching; I also discovered he has an online web site: [...], as well as, a number of teaching videos. One of these teaching videos is also related to this particular book, it's called: Art Is An Attitude/Essential Exercises by Bill Buchman...which I also went and brought. Right now, I'm watching both the video/and, reading the book. The two things seem to work together really well; the book explains everything in great detail...; while the video shows the drawing processes in actual action. My verdict is having both book/video together is very useful, as well as, being 'inspiring'. However, you could just chose to work with either one; but, my guess is, if you like either the book/video...then, you're also going to be sorely 'tempted' to buy both.

I have just today delivered a workshop based on this book and some of the exercises in the DVD. The twelve people I was teaching had a most rewarding and liberating day. One of them told me she had learnt more in the one day than in all her previous art training. Experienced participants told me that it was just what they had been looking for - something new and liberating outside the normal run of life drawing.I was astonished to see the inspired and colourful work that they were producing by the end. Although I structured the workshop it was down to Bill Buchman's inspiration and brilliance that the exercises worked so well. I would recommend this book and the DVD to anybody. But I would also say - it is for USE! Do the drills and your drawing most definitely will develop.Also - PERSEVERE - I copied some of the drawings in the book and found it hard a t first - but soon - it became easy and I suddenly understood what he was saying!

The book is amazing and very useful. I have many Art books, so I know what I am talking about. Before this book, I was really addicted to watercolor, and in fact was interested in figures in watercolor. But I really loved that in addition to this material, there are so many other media you can use depending on specific purposes. This was brilliant, I have discovered so many new materials that I have never thought to use before. The exercises and demos make the book very practical and not boring at all. The book really widens the horizontals. Moreover, the skills you gain after this book can later be applied to drawing anything else rather than to naked figures only. A very enjoyable book! Recommend highly.

I love this book. Being dyslexic I sometimes struggle with text books, but this is explained clearly in a way I fully understand. I discovered art later in life and this is another string to my bow.

I absolutely love this book. It has beautifully inspiring pictures that look and are explained in a simple way. This book makes you believe you could achieve the same level of figure drawing, it is helpful in showing you how to achieve this and simplifies the whole process. It is ofcourse a very personal way of interpreting the human figure, but I cant see how anyone wouldn't want to paint in this way. My only sadness was that the faces of the models were not thought relevant, this is the bit I struggle with most, so on that note if you were looking for help with the faces of your models this wont necessarily help.