Life Drawing in Charcoal

by Douglas R. Graves

"The guidance to be found within these covers reflects the author's inspired ability as a teacher and artist of the highest magnitude. It is probably the finest book on the subject of drawing the human form that I have ever seen." — Irving Shapiro, A.W.S., Director, American Academy of Art
This unique guide offers a bold, innovative approach to drawing from life. Instead of teaching the traditional method of building up a drawing from lines, leaving mass and tone till later, noted art instructor Douglas R. Graves takes precisely the opposite tack. The student is encouraged to begin seeing and thinking in terms of tonal masses immediately. This approach enables students to draw quickly and accurately without the need for a line drawing first. The author compares it to learning to "paint" with charcoal.
Step-by-step demonstrations and over 200 of the author's own drawings offer inspiration and practical guidance in the technique. You'll learn how to "see" tonal quality, how to key a drawing, how to translate color into black and white, and valuable techniques for keeping the figure from looking "stiff." Other topics include the role of alignment in achieving proper proportions, foreshortening, male and female figure distinctions, the use of modeling to achieve added dimension, drawing the face, positioning the figure, and many other aspects of life drawing.
For students of drawing — beginner to expert — this book is an invaluable guide not just to drawing from life but to the essential principles of observation, composition, and draftsmanship that underlie all successful drawing and painting. It belongs in the library of every artist. For this edition, the author has revised previous chapters and added a new one on "Different Modes of Charcoal."

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

Reviews

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Graves book, i think this one is much better than his pencil portrait book, mainly because it deals a lot more with planes and shading. He has some good understandable exercises that lay the ground work for painting.
I worked from this book digitally as well as in traditional medium, it translates very well.
Check it out especially if you work in charcoal, but also if you want another perspective on painting.

[Andrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one those books that had quite a few interesting bits in it, but I would not say it gave me a lot.
I personally don't want to use the technique that the author is proposing ("light mass drawing") and I don't really dig how the outcome looks like in the illustrations. But, there was a lot of useful advice and workflow examples that were interesting.

[Xavier · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book I've found so far for figure drawing. My skills have greatly improved trying the exercises and learning to see tone instead of line

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book that teaches the skills of tonal life drawing with charcoal.

[Martha Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is one of the better art books I have come across. I enjoyed the clear, concise step-by-step drawings and photographs. The instructions were easy to follow. This book is a great tool for any beginning to intermediate art student working in charcoal nudes.

[Jedkimball]

Good at moments

[Dooz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very helpful for loosening up and focusing on tonal masses as opposed to line.

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have!