Art Tutorials, Foundational Knowledge, and Book/Video Recommendations

#1

The following are some of the best links on the internet we have found, that contain insightful, practical, and helpful information on various aspects of creating images.

                        If you have links you'd like to submit, please PM or email one of the Forum Leaders (Steven Stahlberg, Lunatique), and once we have checked the links, they will be added here.
                                                                                         
                                                                             [b]Niklas Jansson's (Prometheus) Mini Art Course[/b]
                                                                                       [http://androidarts.com/art_tut.htm](http://androidarts.com/art_tut.htm)
                                                                                         really useful, complete and clear
                   
                   [color=SandyBrown][size=3][b]Anatomy
                   [/b][http://www.artnatomia.net/uk/index.html](http://www.artnatomia.net/uk/index.html)
                                                                         Great facial anatomy learning tool
                   For more anatomy see link at bottom (no pun intended)
                   
                                                                          [b]Composition[/size][/b]
                                                                                        [http://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/RUSKIN/index.htm](http://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/RUSKIN/index.htm)
                                                                           (No images, only the text)
                                                                           
                                                                                           [http://www.androidblues.com/visualperception.html](http://www.androidblues.com/visualperception.html)

                                                                           [b]Many similar points with the following:[/b]
                                                                           [http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/135/120/](http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/135/120/)

Composition for Landscapes, but most of it also holds for any image.

                                                                                           [b]Aesthetics in Symmetry:[/b]
                                                                                           [http://home.earthlink.net/~jdc24/symmetry.htm](http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ejdc24/symmetry.htm)
                                                                       
                                                                       [b]Gestalt Theory in design:[/b]
                                                                                        [http://daphne.palomar.edu/design/gestalt.html](http://daphne.palomar.edu/design/gestalt.html)

Getting Composition Right by Gary Tonge
http://www.imaginefx.com/02287754331360267539/tutorial.pdf

                                                                                        [b]Shading[/b]
                                                                                           [b]Light and Dark[/b]
                                                                                           [http://www.anticz.com/drawing1.htm](http://www.anticz.com/drawing1.htm)
                                                                                 
                                                                                        [b](Cubes exercise, led by Craig Mullins)[/b]
                                                                                         [http://www.hippytrippy.net/sijun/cubes/index.htm](http://www.hippytrippy.net/sijun/cubes/index.htm)
                                                                                        
                                                                                            [b]Color Theory
                                                                     [/b][http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/wcolor.html](http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/wcolor.html)                       Huge, but I recommend reading every word
                            
                            [http://www.worqx.com/color/](http://www.worqx.com/color/)
                            Not so huge, and less technical
                                    
                        [b]eChalk Colour Percepton[/b] (amazing optical effects that show you how color is perceived is strongly influenced by surrounding colors)
                                    [http://www.echalk.co.uk/amusements/OpticalIllusions/colourPerception/colourPerception.html](http://www.echalk.co.uk/amusements/OpticalIllusions/colourPerception/colourPerception.html)
                                                                                      
                                                                                   
                                                                                    [b]Drawing[/b]
                                                                                                                                                  
                                                            [http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=Columns&column=vilppu](http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=Columns&column=vilppu)
                                                           Series of articles in Animation World Magazine by the great                        Glenn Vilppu (vilppustudio.com)
                                                                                    
                                                         
                                                                                  [b]Perspective[/b]
                                                                     
                                                                          [b]The long version (VERY complete)[/b]
                                                                              [http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/tech10.html](http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/tech10.html)
                                                                                
                                                         
                                                                              [b]Lighting[/b]
                                                                              [http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/light.htm](http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/light.htm)
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                          [b]Art Movements
                                                                           [/b]    [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_movements](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_movements)
            
            
            [b]Photoshop tutorials[/b]
            [b][size=2]Illustration tutorials and video demos, mostly in Photoshop[/size][/b][size=2] 
           [/size][[size=2]http://danidraws.com/[/size]](http://danidraws.com/)
             
         [b]Long and thorough photoshop video [/b]
                                   [http://monstercutie.com](http://monstercutie.com/blog/2009/04/10/concept-cutie-painting-tutorial/)

Concept Art
Thumb War by Paul Richards
http://www.autodestruct.com/thumbwar.htm

                                   [b][size=3]CG SOCIETY Reader Projects and Tutorials
                                                         [/b][/size][b]Various CG SOCIETY Reader Projects[/b] (making of articles)
                                   [http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/readerproject/6/#CGSFeatureList](http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/readerproject/6/#CGSFeatureList) 

                                   [b]Various CG SOCIETY Tutorials[/b]
                                   [http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/tutorial/9/#CGSFeatureList](http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/tutorial/9/#CGSFeatureList)
                                                        
                                                        
                                                                           
                                                                           [b][size=3]Tutorial threads in the Art Techniques and Theories Forum
                                                         [/b][/size][b]Painting an eye (tutorial/exercise)[/b]
                          [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=227727](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=227727)                                 
                                                        [b]
                        Just some thoughts on smooth blending (examples in Photoshop and Painter)[/b]
                          [http://](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=253711)[forums.cgsociety.org](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=253711)[/showthread.php?t=253711](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=253711)                                 
                       
                        [b]How to paint in Photoshop[/b]
                          [http://](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=219588&page=1&pp=15)[forums.cgsociety.org](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=219588&page=1&pp=15)[/showthread.php?t=219588&page=1&pp=15](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=219588&page=1&pp=15)
                       [b]
                        Thread of useful things (various tips and tutorials)[/b]
                          [http://](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=239810&page=1&pp=15)[forums.cgsociety.org](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=239810&page=1&pp=15)[/showthread.php?t=239810&page=1&pp=15](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=239810&page=1&pp=15)
                       
                        [b]Where the shadows fall?[/b]
                          [http://](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=257941)[forums.cgsociety.org](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=257941)[/showthread.php?t=257941](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=257941)
                       
                        [b]Painting with the fingers (photoshop painting tutorial)[/b]
                          [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=260976](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=260976)
                       [b]
                        A brief look at diagonals (composition tutorial)[/b]
                          [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=260368](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=260368)
                       
                        [b]Texuring a Painting[/b]
                          [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2498697#post2498697](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2498697#post2498697)
                           [b]
            [/b]            [b]Blending Tool For Photoshop CS[/b]
                               [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=263139](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=263139)
                               
                        [b]Easy Way To Making Incredibly Detailed Skin...wrinkles, Pores, and now stone too[/b]
                           [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=263878](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=263878)
                               
                        [b]Tutorial: Painting Hair[/b]
                               [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=259468](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=259468)
                          
                        [b]Painting Tutorial: Lute Player[/b]
                              [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2580646&posted=1#post2580646](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2580646&posted=1#post2580646)
                             
                        [b]Tutorial: Some doodlings and explanations on perspective...[/b]
                          [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2587347&posted=1#post2587347](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2580646&posted=1#post2580646)
                                                         [size=1]
                         [/size][b]The Making of "Advice From a Caterpillar"[/b]
                         [size=1]               [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=286726](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=286726)
                      
                      [/size][b]About pai[color=white]nting hair[/color][/b]
                      [size=2][http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=298710](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=298710)
                     
                     [b]Making A Comic[/b]
                     [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2958895#post2958895](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=2958895#post2958895)
               
               [b]Trade Secrets (various tutorials)[/b]
               [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=316323](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=316323)
             
             [b]Earth Tutorial[/b]
             [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=415547](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=415547)
             
             [b]Texturing A Painting[/b]
             [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=422331](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=422331)
            [/size]
            [b][size=2]Fur Tutorial[/size][size=2]
          [/size][/b][[size=2]http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=4705443&posted=1#post4705443[/size]](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?p=4705443&posted=1#post4705443)[b][size=2]
        
        [/size][size=2]Coloring A Greyscale Painting[/size][/b][b][size=2]
        [/size][/b][[size=2]http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=166&t=740960[/size]](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=166&t=740960)[b][size=2]
             
                                         WIPCritique: 2D, Illustrations and Concept Art Forum > 
                                         Artistic Anatomy and Figurative Art subForum[](http://www.cgtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=177)[/size][/b]            [http://www.cgtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=177](http://www.cgtalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=177)
   
                           [b]Thread describing the highlights of the forum:[/b]
                           [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=273525](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=273525)
                                               
                                        An excellent and HUGE source of interesting useful threads right here on CGTalk, dedicated to actually "doing it" - 2d drawing, painting and sketching, critiquing each other, posting useful links etc, moderated and critiqued by the amazingly talented artist Rebecca Kimmel. A definite Must-Browse. 
                           Also brought to you by Rebecca:
                           [b][color=DarkOrange]Hong Ly's Photo Reference, Human Texture Reference, and Concept Art Resource[/b]
                           [http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=278986](http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=278986)[/color]
                           
                           
                                                 [b]
                                                  [/b][](http://www.ballisticpublishing.com/books/dartiste_digital_painting/)
#2

The following are some of the best links on the internet we have found, that contain insightful, practical, and helpful information on various aspects of creating images. (The word ‘Theory’ in the title, though often used in this context, may be confusing to some; much of the info here has nothing theoretical about it, but is very much empirical.)

If you have links you’d like to submit, please PM or email one of the Forum Leaders (Kai, Steven Stahlberg, Enalya, Lunatique, Cicinimo) , and once we have checked the links, they will be added here.

                                         [size=3]
                                          [/size][b][size=3]General (All-In-One)
                                  [/b]Andrew Loomis books online[/size]
                               [http://www.saveloomis.org/](http://www.saveloomis.org/)
                                  The best resource bar none
                 
                 Link to PDF files for Loomis books
                [http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?p=2255310#post2255310](http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?p=2255310#post2255310)
                
                        
                      [b]A Note about Loomis[size=2] [/b](from Lunatique)[/size]
                     
                      [b]Andrew Loomis was a respected and prolific illustrator and teacher. His instructional books have become some of the most sought after art books in the last decades. Most of his books have been out-of-print for decades, and command prices of hundreds of American dollars for a second-hand copy.

In the recent years, various sources on the internet managed to locate most of his instructional books, and have scanned them in and made them available to artists around the world. This is an amazing gift–one that should not be flamboyantly dismissed.

To the youngest generation of aspiring artists that grew up with the internet, the Loomis books have become something to be taken for granted, and not regarded nearly as seriously as should be. This is unfortunate, because to those of us that understand the significance of the Loomis books, it’s as if people are passing up the chance to be taught by one of the best art teachers that ever lived–FOR FREE. Loomis books like “Creative Illustration,” “Figure Drawing For All It’s Worth,” “Successful Drawing,” “Eye of the Painter”…etc are equivalent of years of the best art school education money can buy. [/b]Even the most advanced professional artists revere and study the teachings of Loomis.

If you are a beginner, you need Loomis. Don’t go searching for some kind of magical tutorial that will miraculously turn you into a better artist overnight–such thing does not exist. Your best chance at improving and growing as a beginning aspiring artist is to read the Loomis books from cover to cover, and do all the exercises that are provided in them. If you can master the contents taught in his books, you will become a master artist yourself. That is not an exaggeration–that is a promise.

                               Craig Mullins Macross Tutorial
             [http://www.gfxartist.com/features/tutorials/7840](http://www.gfxartist.com/features/tutorials/7840)
                            Detailed explanation of how he painted the Macross piece. 
            
                                             Craig Mullins overpaint
                                          [http://www.gfxartist.com/features/tutorials/974](http://www.gfxartist.com/features/tutorials/974)
                                          amazing artist, amazing image, useful hints
                                          
                              Niklas Jansson's (Prometheus) Mini Art Course
                                        [http://itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm](http://itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm)
                                          really useful, complete and clear

Various tutorials from skjoldbroder
http://www.skjoldbroder.dk/tutorials-index.html

                                         [b][size=3]Composition[/size][/b]
                                         [http://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/RUSKIN/index.htm](http://www.noteaccess.com/Texts/RUSKIN/index.htm)
                            (No images, only the text)
                            
                                            [http://www.androidblues.com/visualperception.html](http://www.androidblues.com/visualperception.html)
                            Many similar points with the following:
                            [http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/135/120/](http://www.wetcanvas.com/Articles2/135/120/)
                            Composition for Landscapes, but most of it also holds for any image.  
                                   
                                            Aesthetics in Symmetry:
                                            [http://home.earthlink.net/~jdc24/symmetry.htm](http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ejdc24/symmetry.htm)
                        
                        Gestalt Theory in design:
                                         [http://daphne.palomar.edu/design/gestalt.html](http://daphne.palomar.edu/design/gestalt.html)
                                             
                                         
                                            [b]Shading[/b]
                                            Light and Dark
                                            [http://www.anticz.com/drawing1.htm](http://www.anticz.com/drawing1.htm)
                                  
                                         
                                             (Cubes exercise, led by Craig Mullins)
                                          [http://www.hippytrippy.net/sijun/cubes/index.htm](http://www.hippytrippy.net/sijun/cubes/index.htm)
                                         
                                             [b]Color Theory
                       [/b][](http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/wcolor.html)                   [http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/wcolor.html](http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/wcolor.html)                       Huge, but I recommend reading every word
                                      
                                     
                                     [b]Drawing[/b]
                                    Andrew Loomis, see link at the top
              
              [http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=Columns&column=vilppu](http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=Columns&column=vilppu)
             Series of articles in Animation World Magazine by the great                        Glenn Vilppu (vilppustudio.com)
                                     
           
                                    [b]Perspective[/b]
                                    The short short version
                            [http://www.teamgt.com/forum/cubes01.htm](http://www.teamgt.com/forum/cubes01.htm)
                                    [http://www.teamgt.com/forum/cubes02.htm](http://www.teamgt.com/forum/cubes02.htm)
                                    [http://www.teamgt.com/forum/cubes03.htm](http://www.teamgt.com/forum/cubes03.htm)
                            
                            The long version (VERY complete)
                                [http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/tech10.html](http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/tech10.html)
                                 
           
                                [b]Light[/b]
                                [http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/light.htm](http://www.itchy-animation.co.uk/light.htm)
                            
                            
           [b]Art Movements
                             [/b]    [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_movements](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_movements)
          
          
                             
                             [b][size=3]Tutorials in the Art Techniques and Theories Forum
           [/b][/size]Painting an eye (tutorial/exercise)
           [http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=227727](http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=227727%3C/font%3E%3Cfont%20face=%22Verdana%22%3E)
        
        Just some thoughts on smooth blending (examples in Photoshop and Painter)
           [http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=253711](http://%3C/font%3E%3Cfont%20face=%22Verdana%22%3Ehttp://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=253711%3C/font%3E%3Cfont%20face=%22Verdana%22%3E)
            
           [tutorial]portrait sketch in digital
           [http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=249470](http://%3C/font%3E%3Cfont%20face=%22Verdana%22%3Ehttp://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=249470%3C/font%3E%3Cfont%20face=%22Verdana%22%3E)
 
 How to paint in Photoshop
  [http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=219588&page=1&pp=15](http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=219588&page=1&pp=15)
 
 Thread of useful things (various tips and tutorials)
 [http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=239810&page=1&pp=15](http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=239810&page=1&pp=15)
     
 Where the shadows fall?
 [http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=257941](http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=257941)
 
[b]
Various tutorials in the WIP 2D Forum[/b]
     [http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=196480](http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=196480)

MODERN MASTERS: Digital Painting (Photoshop) Tutorial By Nebezial
[http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=259286&page=1&pp=15](http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?t=259286&page=1&pp=15)
 
   [b]
   Recommended Books to Buy
   
   [/b]Tom Browning's [i]Timeless Techniques For Better Oil Paintings [/i]isan excellent book on oil painting and art theories in general. Easy to understand and contains excellent art foundation knowledge.
                 
    Richard Schmid's A[i]lla Prima: All I Know About Painting[/i], is a must have for any serious artist. Tons of pearls of wisdom that are results of Schmid's decades of experience as one of the most respected painters in the world today.
                 
    Jack Hamm's [i]Drawing the Head and Figure [/i]is similar to the Loomis books, but with his own spin on things. Gives excellent tips on not only how to draw, but how to draw attractive looking people. 
    
    Harley Brown & Lewis Barrett Lehrman's [i]Harley Brown's eternal truths for    every artist[/i]is another great all around book on art foundations and drawing/painting instructions.

d’artiste: Digital Painting - If you are serious about learning digital painting, regardless of what software you use, d’artiste is an excellent book that will teach you tons of tips and tricks and step-by-step tutorials written by Linda Bergkvist, Philip Straub, John Wallins, and Robert Chang
http://www.ballisticpublishing.com/books/dartiste_digital_painting/

#3

[b][u]REBECCA KIMMEL’S Anatomy Review LESSONS:

[/u][/b]REBECCA KIMMEL’S Anatomy Review 003: SHADING TUTORIAL AND HUMAN SKULL EXERCISE

REBECCA KIMMEL’S Anatomy Review 002: OPPOSING CURVES

REBECCA KIMMEL’S Anatomy Review 001: GESTURE

COMING SOON: REBECCA KIMMEL’s Anatomy Review

SUPPLIES:

TRADITIONAL DRAWING SUPPLIES

SPECIAL TOPICS:

DRAWING / PAINTING / SCULPTURE RESOURCES:

Master Drawing RESOURCES - POST LINKS TO ORIGINAL MASTER DRAWINGS

DIGITAL DRAWING, DIGITAL PAINTING & DIGITAL SCULPTING RESOURCES

SKETCHBOOK:

SKETCHBOOK THREAD - POST YOUR BEST PAGES! TRADITIONAL / DIGITAL

MASTER COPIES:

Master Copies - Post Your Copies From The Great Masters! 2D/3D D/T DRWG/PTG/SCULPTURE

LIFE DRAWING:

Life Drawings - Post Your Best Life Drawings!

ANATOMY:

ANATOMY STUDIES OF SKELETON / BONE / MUSCLE - TRADITIONAL OR DIGITAL

HEAD / NECK - POST YOUR HEAD / NECK STUDIES - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

TORSOS - POST YOUR TORSO STUDIES - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

THE ARM - POST YOUR ARM STUDIES - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

HANDS - POST YOUR HAND STUDIES - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

THE LEG - POST YOUR LEG STUDIES - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

THE FOOT - POST YOUR FOOT STUDIES - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

ANATOMY / FIGURE REFERENCE:

REFERENCE for Anatomical and Figurative Art

COMPOSITION:

FIGURATIVE COMPOSITION - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

ORTHOGRAPHIC DRAWING:

ORTHOGRAPHIC DRAWINGS FOR 3D MODELING - TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA

PORTRAITS AND CARICATURES - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL - YOO HOO BOBBY CHIU

CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

3D TRADITIONAL SCULPTORS - Post Photos Of Your Best 5 Pieces!

PROPORTION:

PROPORTIONS - HUMAN AND ANIMAL

ANIMALS:

ANIMALS - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

CLOTH / CLOTHING:

CLOTH AND CLOTHING - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

CONCEPT ART:

2D CONCEPT ARTISTS - TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

CREATURE DESIGNERS:

CREATURE DESIGNERS - 2D / 3D TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL

PAINTING - 2D TRADITIONAL / DIGITAL

LIFE PAINTINGS - POST YOUR BEST PAINTINGS FROM LIFE!

DIGITAL DRAWING, DIGITAL PAINTING & DIGITAL SCULPTING RESOURCES

SCULTPURE - TRADITIONAL 3D:

3D TRADITIONAL SCULPTORS - Post Photos Of Your Best 5 Pieces!

STORYBOARDS:

STORYBOARD ARTISTS - POST YOUR STORYBOARDS WITH HUMANS / ANIMALS - T/D

3D DIGITAL ART

3D DIGITAL ARTISTS

TUTORIALS:

MODERN MASTERS: Digital Painting (Photoshop) Tutorial By Nebezial

MODERN MASTERS - 2D and 3D / TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL - POST YOUR TUTORIALS HERE

DIGITAL TIPS/TUTORIALS FOR DRAWING AND PAINTING HUMANS WITH PHOTOSHOP AND PAINTER

RESOURCES - BOOKS / WEBSITES / ETC.:

ANATOMY RESOURCES: BOOKS

DIGITAL DRAWING, DIGITAL PAINTING & DIGITAL SCULPTING RESOURCES

REFERENCE for Anatomical and Figurative Art

#4

[left]Recommended books:[b]

All of Andrew Loomis’s books[/b] - Andrew Loomis’s artistic teachings are legendary, and his book are finally back in print after being out-of-print for decades. His books cover both easy stuff for beginners and advanced concepts, and they are arranged roughly like this:

-Fun with a Pencil
-Successful Drawing / Figure Drawing For All It’s Worth / Drawing the Heads and Hands
-Creative Illustration
-The Painter’s Eye

Alla Prima: Everything I know About Painting, By Richard Schmid - This is one of the best books I own, and it’s a real revelation for artists of any level. There is so much that book covers that you will not find anywhere else, and Schmid’s wisdom on matters about creativity, technique, foundation knowledge, artistic purpose…etc are immensely valuable, and even life-changing. Google this book and buy it ASAP.
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Drawing the Head and Figure, By Jack Hamm - An excellent classic that is surprisingly in-depth considering it’s not a thick book at all. It contains emphasis that I have never seen in any of the other books on anatomy and figure, and it’s one of very few books that incorporates material about aesthetics, variations, and even a section about the clothed figure. It’s the best book on the subject I’ve seen along with the Andrew Loomis books.

Harley Brown’s eternal truths for every artist, By Harley Brown & Lewis Barrett Lehrman - Another great all around book on art foundations and drawing/painting instructions.

Timeless Techniques for Better Oil Paintings, By Tom Browning - Also very informative and helpful, regardless of what medium and style you work in. Some of the content about colors are especially eye-opening.

Problem Solving For Oil Paintings, By Gregg Kreutz - Interesting approach for a book, using examples of “failed attempt” as the basis, and then troubleshoots these failed images by finding ways to make them better.

The Artist’s Complete Guid to Facial Expressions, By Gary Faigin - Excellent book about facial expressions. The best book on the subject, bar none.

Drawing People, By Barbara Bradley - A really good book about clothed figure, fabric folds, wrinkles…etc. This book is very similar to Burne Hogarth’s Dynamic Wrinkels and Drapes, and while both books are very good, I prefer this book more because Burne Hogarth exagerates too much and his drawings have a severe lack of aesthetic quality about them (and for that reason I do not recommend any of his books). Some people may find Hogarth’s books helpful, but I personally feel that his books may cause more harm than good for young and impressionable novice artists, due to his heavily biased and stylized way of drawing.

Atlas of Foreshortening, By John Cody and Ron Tribell - This is an immensely helpful book because the nude figures are photographed from all the angles and in different poses, showing how the body looks from even the oddest angles that would be nearly impossible to find references for (unless you shoot the photos yourself).

Artistic Anatomy, By Richer Hale - This book is highly technical and contains mostly text, but towards the end of the book, there are some very valuable illustrations that show the anatomy in both cadaver form and with skin, and from different angles.

The Figure: The Classic Approach to Drawing & Construction, By Walter Reed - Another classic book on figure construction/drawing.

[font=verdana]Recommended videos:
[/font]All Richard Schmid DVD’s
http://www.richardschmid.com/video.html

The Richard Schmid videos are some of the most amazing displays of skill, knowledge, experience, insight, and wisdom ever captured on video. Live demonstrations of paintings done in a fraction of the time it takes lesser artists, yet are on a superior artistic and technical level, along with detailed live narration that explains every creative decision and technique. The Sea Captain volume is especially impressive, with Schmid painting live in front of a large audience, interacting with them, and then answering some very interesting and thoughful questions at the end.

Advice on character concept art
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=166&t=989951