Monday, September 22, 2008

Anatomy for Artists

Anthony Apesos was my painting teacher in my last semester in art school. I fine tuned almost everything I know about oil painting in his class and learned so much more as well. Maybe its because he was my teacher that I held off in buying his book on artistic anatomy titled "Anatomy for Artists: a new approach to discovering, learning, and remembering the body." I've read or skimmed about 20 some odd books on human anatomy. Some blow me away (as do their price tag, yikes) and some i quickly put down. Tony's is a book I always pick up with the intent to buy, but never get to it. So finally after several months of being out and getting great reviews on Amazon and other book markets, I decided to get it. And effing A Cotton, it was worth every penny. I know a good amount of anatomy, names, functions etc etc etc but Tony's book is an incredibly practical and really unique approach to learning human anatomy. Simply put, he asks us, the reader, to point out bones and muscles on our own body and explore their functions so as to fully appreciate their complexity and abilities. As artists this is a gem, an invaluable piece of artistic knowledge that no matter what level of anatomical understanding one has it will open your eyes. So, to everyone who reads this I highly suggest it. Its a great read. And besides, he gives a mean recipe on how to cook a leg of lamb in the first chapter ;)

2 comments:

  1. Oh, Tony. I haven't bought any art books in a long time, maybe that is one I should try to find :P

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