Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure

First, I was completely unaware that I'd purchased a used book - I never do that. I didn't even purchase used books in college. The price was in line with any new books I'd ever purchased from that publisher, so when I opened the box and found a dirty "used" sticker adhered to the middle of the spine, and half of the lower outer binding paper hanging by a tiny shred of cardboard, I was surprised. The content was a little below okay for my needs, but some artists might find it useful. The figures were much too "cutesy" and animated for me, and looked like a collection of children's book illustrations. With all due respect to Ms. Bradley, I found her instruction style better suited to someone else - everyone's different. As previously written, I think it may well be suited to a different artist. It just wasn't for me. I have been an animal artist for many years and recently decided to embark on another genre, and wanted to brush up on my human drawing. It's hard to find good instructional books that cover clothed people engaging in everyday activities, in addition to showing human figure perspective. I'll keep looking, and make sure it's a new book this time.

The book is surprisingly good! Filled with drawings from the first page to the last with very good text. There are not many books about how to draw clothed figures. I've had enough books about human autonomy and poses. But the thing is, how often do we see naked people walking around and waiting to be drawn? Not to mention many art sites may give you problems when uploading nudity. I was looking for a book to teach me self more about clothing folds, about everyday clothed people. This book did not dispoint!Not only that, the book actually is a well rounded educational drawing book in general. It has chapters on all the drawing fundamentals. Then it has dedicated chapters for clothed people and how to draw cloth folds. I'm so happy of having find this book, now it's on my desk all the time.

I love this book! I had a copy of this back in 2009 when I attended the academy of art and sold it when I left school. This is still one of the best drawing books I’ve come across.

I am a figurative painter, illustrator, and part time university instructor who owns two copies of this outstanding book: one for personal use and one as a supplement to teaching.There are very few books available on drawing the clothed figure, and fewer that are useful. This book is a must have for anyone who is a serious beginner or professional figurative artist.It is filled from cover to cover with clearly written text, outstanding drawings and diagrams, and valuable information and insight. Part 1 in the book covers the oft overlooked imperative issues of stance and holding the medium, direct drawing, telling a story, drawing in a sketchbook and drawing in your studio. Parts 2, 3, 4, and 5 progress in a logical way through valuable information on the figure and clothing, including: clear information on how body forms and clothing wrap around, folds including their types and how they move with the form and action of the body, fabric types and textures, patterns, and how to construct clothing on the body, plus pages on drawing hats and footwear. Part 6 includes information on design of the figure in clothing, drawing heads, hands, and children.Barbara Bradley's mastery of subject, joyful spirit, and understanding of how we think and feel moves this far beyond being a simple "How To" book. This book is about drawing the clothed figure, but it is also about expressing an opinion and portraying a living human being.

Earlier this year, Barbara Bradley was selected by a jury of 75 illustrators, art directors and educators to receive the New York Society of Illustrators' 2007 Distinguished Educator of the Arts Award. "Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure" is an organized, comprehensive collection of the lessons this outstanding teacher and former illustration department director distilled from 25 years of teaching clothed figure drawing at San Francisco's Academy of Art University. The breadth of Bradley's knowledge and understanding of drawing made this an ambitious undertaking. The result is a book densely packed with key concepts and tips for producing believable, expressive, well-drawn figures.It is unfortunate that two of the recently posted reviews here are so bafflingly critical--especially since one is written by someone who admits he lacks the skill to draw clothed figures himself. As a working illustrator for over 20 years ( Domitila: A Cinderella Tale from the Mexican Tradition , The Wishing Tree , Water Beds: Sleeping In The Ocean , Octavia And Her Purple Ink Cloud , The Rainforest Grew All Around ), let me assure you that "Drawing People" is a valuable resource both for beginning artists as well as for more advanced, life-long students. Contrary to the title of my review, the inspiration and skills Barbara Bradley passed on to her many students is her real legacy. Her clothed figure drawing book is a bonus--a gift to those not fortunate enough to have experienced her teaching first-hand.

Very nice book, my grand daughter loves it. Good instruction, lovely pictures.

I bought the book based on a youtube recommendation. Read already through it and will be going through it again more carefully again.I never took art in school of anything and I feel like this book is opening my eyes to a different way of seeing the human figure. I have other drawing books but this one just clicked. I feel like it gave me building blocks that I will be able to use now to create better drawings. I love the tone of the book, the way the author explains, and the drawings illustrate everything beautifully. Best drawing book I bought so far and I have a feeling that it's all the reference I need (but then again, who knows).I recommend the book to anyone that is interested in learning how to draw the human figure. I love it and I would buy it again. I wish I knew about it before I spent money on other drawing books.Oh, and for a good quality hardcover book the price was just perfect.

whilst there is sound advice in some areas I found the accompanying examples very outdated. This was off putting and I really feel it is of little use if you are already an experienced artist.

This book contains a wealth of information on drawing the human body and also how clothes folds and wraps around the body. It is filled with small illustrative drawings with added colored lines to show the flow and directions of what is written. A very helpfull book.

El libro en sí merece 5 estrellas, tiene buena información, ilustraciones y calidad, pero doy una estrella por Amazon, en los últimos dos años he comprado varios libros de su tienda y todos, absolutamente todos, vienen siempre maltratados.

I especially liked the instructions on drapery.