The best anatomy books?

Comix Obsession · 08-11-2011, 05:53 AM

Hey all,

I wrote a thread similar to this a while back, talking about 'upping my game' and learning some tricks from real life sketching to add depth to my cartooning. Well, after researching I've found a book about animation that is highly recommended by cartoonists, especially for teaching you how to draw motion and add movement to your images. It's also supposed to be an incredibly good 'how to draw' book for beginners. Now, I don't class myself as a beginner, having been drawing for the last 10 years, but my drawing habits have rarely been steady, so my progression has been slow but I feel I do underestimate myself a bit. I need to learn to draw background, but have been recommended numerous times to start drawing the human figure, as with that you can learn to construct most things.

So here's where I'm at. I've laid down a 'must draw everyday' rule for myself, and I've been following it for the last few weeks, for the most part. I try to draw something, ANYTHING, be it a cartoon or a life sketch. I'm trying to get down the fundamentals of everything, but realise I need more direction than just 'learn the basics'. Thus, I've set myself a bit of a goal, learn anatomy first, at least to a competent level (I realise that even the best of artists are still learning anatomy for the most part) and learn movement and function from animation. Then on to backgrounds and study, study, study. For backgrounds I plan to observe both real life and cartooning, and have come to learn that drawing is as much about what you leave out as it is what you put in.

So, as the title suggests, I'd be looking for a good anatomy book to start with. Something that can teach me the basic standing still figure, on to the figure in different poses and motion. I'm aware there are hundreds of great books, but just one would do right now!

Thanks a lot, everyone, and I hope everyone currently affected by the riots are keeping safe!

Lightfoot · 08-11-2011, 08:55 AM

I did send you a personal message on this subject, but now my wife has forbidden me from completing that project.

08-11-2011, 05:53 AM	#1
Comix Obsession Missing In In-Action Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Southend, UK Posts: 1,844	The best anatomy books? Hey all, I wrote a thread similar to this a while back, talking about 'upping my game' and learning some tricks from real life sketching to add depth to my cartooning. Well, after researching I've found a book about animation that is highly recommended by cartoonists, especially for teaching you how to draw motion and add movement to your images. It's also supposed to be an incredibly good 'how to draw' book for beginners. Now, I don't class myself as a beginner, having been drawing for the last 10 years, but my drawing habits have rarely been steady, so my progression has been slow but I feel I do underestimate myself a bit. I need to learn to draw background, but have been recommended numerous times to start drawing the human figure, as with that you can learn to construct most things. So here's where I'm at. I've laid down a 'must draw everyday' rule for myself, and I've been following it for the last few weeks, for the most part. I try to draw something, ANYTHING, be it a cartoon or a life sketch. I'm trying to get down the fundamentals of everything, but realise I need more direction than just 'learn the basics'. Thus, I've set myself a bit of a goal, learn anatomy first, at least to a competent level (I realise that even the best of artists are still learning anatomy for the most part) and learn movement and function from animation. Then on to backgrounds and study, study, study. For backgrounds I plan to observe both real life and cartooning, and have come to learn that drawing is as much about what you leave out as it is what you put in. So, as the title suggests, I'd be looking for a good anatomy book to start with. Something that can teach me the basic standing still figure, on to the figure in different poses and motion. I'm aware there are hundreds of great books, but just one would do right now! Thanks a lot, everyone, and I hope everyone currently affected by the riots are keeping safe!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-11-2011, 08:55 AM	#2
Lightfoot Black Ship Books Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Old York Posts: 198	I did send you a personal message on this subject, but now my wife has forbidden me from completing that project.