The Fundamentals of Drawing Portraits: A Practical and Inspirational Course

by Barrington Barber

This book is essential for everyone who wants to improve their drawing skills. Written by teacher and established artist Barrington Barber, it contains a wealth of know-how and practical advice, supported by over 300 original illustrations. Guidance is given on how to overcome common difficulties without imposing a particular style or approach. The air throughout is to help you discover your artistic purpose while giving you the technical tools necessary I you are to produce work you will be proud to call your own. As a complement to the book's essentially skills-based core, you will find feature spreads on artists who have been major influences on the development of portraiture, and plenty of scope for incorporating their innovative ideas in your own drawings. The Fundamentals of Drawing Portraits presents an inspirational approach to all aspects of the subject, ensuring that you will remain enthused from beginning to end and regularly revisit its pages for advice and encouragement.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Drawing

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Barrington Barber originally worked in advertising and television as designer and art director. Then taught at Ealing Art School. Then practiced as a freelance designer, illustrator, painter at Augustine Studios. He was Head of Art at St James’s Independent Schools. Author and illustrator of Fundamentals of Drawing and about 20 other books for Arcturus Publishing. Now paints, draws and writes about art.

Reviews

[Oznasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Barrington Barber has drawn on (pun not intended) the work of great artists from many centuries and uses them as a guide for us to help us improve our portrait drawing. The works are not reproduced in the book but Barber has made black and white copies of them with his own hand, which we can, if we wish, copy with guidance provided to practise and improve our skills in drawing portraits. I'm sure anyone who worked their way through the book in this way would end up a much better portraitist than when they started.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it discussed the work of many artists that I am aware of but also introduced me to many more who I had not heard of before. While reading this book I sat in front of my computer and searched each artist's name, found, where possible, the colour version of the painting he'd taken his drawing from and checked out the artist's other work. It took me a while to work my way through it like this but I ended up knowing the work of many artists much better than I did before starting the book.

Highly recommended.

[Fragrant · Rating 1 out of 5]

At page 80+, this is not foundamental not much of knowledges included, and Not focusing on Portrait..misleading title..many drawings drawn by the author and definitely not realistic styles. Many examples are useless very boring I skipped many pages. Won't be able to finish.not much I can learn.I won't believe any recommendations online anymore not reliable.

[VAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very thorough and informative. It covers everything including classic portraits. I enjoy this book and treasure it as one of my favorites.

[Jule · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice explanations

[Michaell Cavllaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

I really learned a lot about drawing portraits from reading this book. I highly encourage anyone who wants to learn how to draw portraits to read this book.

[Alia Bosh · Rating 1 out of 5]

i dont think it benefit the beginners nor the professionals , it just gave me 5% of informations that i might need for drawing portraits ..

[Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad at communicating it's techniques, but I felt the inspiration to create was lacking. There wasn't enough great examples as you see in some other art books. It did the job, though. That's all I can say.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Educational, but rather boring. I found myself skipping over most of the text, and merely using the sketches to teach myself how things were formed.