You can find PDFs of Loomis' books all over the Internet so the content is not the reason one would want to own this book. This is something for those who really would want the physical item on their shelf or drawing table. I already own original copies of "Figure Drawing for All It's Worth" and "Creative Illustration" but I've never seen this particular Loomis book. I found it to be quite amazing and expect it will be extremely useful to me, both personally as an artist and professionally, as an instructor in the Mohawk College Graphic Design program where I teach structural drawing foundations.
Loomis talks about the importance of thumbnailing - something I strongly agree with and will be teaching a course in this September.
I love this spread from the chapter on "The Fundamentals" of successful drawing and picture-making. This is such a useful reminder for those of us who have been at the business of drawing and painting for a long time - as much as for those who are just starting out.
The chapter on perspective gets VERY complicated - my head was spinning in the later pages - but ultimately it only reinforces why Loomis was such a master of illustration. Everything in a Loomis picture is built on a solid foundation of understanding. Nothing is ever fudged.
Once again, everything in the chapter on rendering light and shadow is absolutely essential knowledge for beginner or seasoned professional. This sort of stuff needs constant review and Loomis describes it masterfully through both words and pictures.
As with all Loomis books, there is no shortage of beautiful figure studies - both nude and clothed - and worth the price if only to admire Loomis' great skill at rendering the female form.
The book concludes with a long section showing a great variety of Loomis' drawings. Everything from cartoon sketches to landscapes to figures young and old. Very inspiring stuff!
As mentioned, you could download all of this material for free ... but if you are, like me, someone who appreciates a shelf full of books by great illustrators, then order this volume from Titan Books - and enjoy!
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