Figure Drawing Atelier: An Instructional Sketchbook

I got this book after taking an life drawing in college, and The Charles Bargue Drawing Course on my own. this book was like extra assignments. it was more advanced practice. its basically a workbook for doing master studies. its a collection of some of the best artist for you to study and make copies of. which I did in college but only a few times. the biggest problem with most art and drawing books is that all the material and art comes from one person. On the other hand, this is collection of some of the best stuff thats out there. and set up in a workbook for you to draw side by side. it like the next level of the Bargue drawing course. which is great in the first half. but then kinda lost me in the 2nd half with the over simplified figure drawing examples. its apposed to be just a jump off point. But I wasn't a fan. This also is a great book to just carry around. the problem with a regular sketchbook is that I will sit and open it and never know what to sketch. this acts like adult coloring book for me. But I'm actually learning. not just draw and sketch things at random. which can be helpful and serves it own purpose. But this has structure. I feel i'm making better use of my time. I pull this out when I'm in a class with a long boring lecture. also its a great workbook companion to her other books. which are all great! its just great continued practice. and I highly recommend it to any artist into life drawing.

This is the third book I’ve bought by this author and it’s a fantastic classroom in a book. The way that she takes you from drawing simple lines and gestures to whole figures is masterful. I think she understands the hesitancy that people learning to draw often have. This book motivates and encourages you by giving you gradually more difficult tasks, so there is not a whole lot of room for self doubt. It’s basically set up like this. It’s a concise series of lessons on fundamentals of figure drawing. She breaks each lesson into smaller components where you put the principles into practice by following her drawing prompts. The prompts are a mix of sketches from modern artists and old masters. Each lesson builds upon the last. Seeing figures emerge from the sketchy morass of gray lines is a truly empowering feeling and an incredible joy. Bravo!

This is the second book by Juliette Aristides that I purchased - and I think it is the best!! This "instructional sketchbook" is unlike any other art book I have seen. Not only is the book itself gorgeous with exquisite drawings, it is SO helpful in teaching the techniques needed to successfully draw the human figure. Using quotes and drawings from famous master artists as studies, one feels that their art is "elevated" from the very first lesson. The text is well-written, and space is included to practice your own sketches. I especially found the lessons on "Value and Form" to be especially beneficial to me. Even if you aren't an artist, this book is amazing just to look through! I recommend this book very highly! Please mark if you find my review helpful. Thank you so much!

This is a wonderful, concise book. Anyone who progressively completes the exercises will find themselves with much improved life drawing skills, along with well-earned solid confidence. Along with that every beautiful image is well chosen. That said, if you are left-handed (as am I) you will need to make a work-around to use the book. Lefties, it’s annoying, but we’ve been there before. The examples are on the left page, with a blank page on the right. The early simpler exercises are doable either upside down or using short term memory, since the sample will be covered with your hand as you work. For the later ones I’m using a separate dedicated sketchbook with a larger format attached with bulldog clips. On it I’ve drawn perimeter lines. Is it a pain in the wazoo! Yes. Is this book worth it. Yes indeed. So much so that if Juliette Aristides (and her publisher) chose to do a 2nd or limited run for left-handers I’ll gladly do the exercises all over again. It’s that worth it.

I have been following the publications ofJuliette Aristides for the past decade and I keep the majority of her books in my drawing instruction library. Each publication is Independently rewarding and I have enjoyed how each new book Has built upon the information and skills of the past publications. This drawing book is perhaps the best yet. The book calls to the reader to become the artist and invites the interested artist/reader to work. This is a gift to anyone who feels challenged with getting started or enjoys practicing the fundamental skills involved in figure drawing. This book is the classical artists’ response to the Wreck This Journal books. It is excellent fun and provides rewarding skill building.

I love the artwork in the series by this author, and this book is no exception. The book itself is high quality with detailed images. I feel like I learn something new every time I get a new book on portraits, and this is one of the better ones. It wont make you an artist, but it'll give you resources and ideas that will help you practice and improve your craft.

I just received my copy of Figure Drawing Atelier yesterday and I have to say its absolutely stunning! Much in line with all her other books, you know you are buying a quality product when you invest the time and money into atelier training. For those that have purchased her other books in Kindle format, I highly recommend getting all her books in hardcover. I have them all in both formats, and while the Kindle is convenient, they don't do these books justice. The print quality is beautiful and the instructions are easy to follow. Juliette Aristides writes books for all artists and the layman as well. I will be doing a formal podcast review on my website dynamicsymmetryart.com over the next month.

Juliette’s books are unrivaled. Her knowledgeable and approach are so helpful and have allowed my skills to develop much quicker than any other method I’ve tried. Plus, the photos and space to draw are perfection!

Another wonderful book by the great artist Juliette Aristides. This beautifully written handbook on the building blocks of figure drawing that for the student may be no immediate task are accurately defined and portrayed step by step. There is ample space for exercises and an abundance of ravishing drawings both by Juliette and by other artists such as Alexey Steele, Robert Liberace, Steven Assael, Kamille Corry and Yoann Lossel, all these along the historically established masters. Put together all these works entice the student to produce both preparatory work and drawings that are works of art in their own right. Besides clarity of writing and her hauntingly beautiful works the author exudes passion and a tinge of the lyrical when paving the way for a well done drawing. There are frequent quotes, my favourites of which are those by the poet Reiner Maria Rilke and Eugene Delacriox. All teachings are gleaned from years of erudition. There is one aspect I would slightly like to dwell on; all drawings are done in monochrome, a practice that contains a lot of magic perceived by artists since time immemorial. These are either done in charcoal, graphite, sepia or sanguine, a few of which have some form of gilding. This approach helps both student and onlooker appreciate the beauty of proportion, of form and conception of the work undeterred by colour. For example, observing the cover drawing by Candice Bohannon, the shades of grey are broken only by the warm foliage on the hair, the perfect still figure in strictly natural proportions stands as though in a state of trance, the entire drawing fills the onlooker's mind with a myriad colours. Leaving one wishing for more.

c'est un livre très interessant pour les personnes débutantes en dessin d'art ,je le recommande aussi pour les illustrations ,merci

Es un libro muy bueno, bonito y muy bien editado, como todos los de Juliette Aristides. Muy recomendable.

Well organized information and workbook/sketchbook, with clear instructions and small enough to be considered easily portable. I noticed my drawing was already improving part-way through the book and expect if you follow the exercises, it will also work for you. Prior to having ordered the book, I ready many positive reviews about it. Well deserved.

This is not a simple sketch book, its pure instruction. Done so nicely and with care and consideration. And so very beautiful! I did see I believe a review of someone upset because they were left handed. Understandable, but you could use a printer and put the printed artwork/instruction where you could see it. Don't give up! This is amazing work and in times like this we all need to lean into our love of art.