World Famous Comics: Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist: How to Draw the New Streamlined Look of Action-Adventure Comics!
Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist: How to Draw the New Streamlined Look of Action-Adventure Comics!
By: Christopher Hart Publisher: Watson-Guptill Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: Watson-Guptill Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 160 Publication Date: May 15, 2007 Release Date: May 15, 2007
Maybe you’ve noticed. Today’s superheroes and action heroes aren’t as brawny and muscular as they used to be. In fact, almost all the characters in comic books and on TV have a fresh, new look--simplified, streamlined, edgier, with a hint of anime/cartoon design, and appealing to kids and adults alike. Now Christopher Hart, the superhero of how-to-draw books, has come to the rescue of artists everywhere with SimplifiedAnatomy for the Comic Book Artist. Anatomy has always been a difficult subject, but for this book Hart uses his straightforward approach to show a simpler way. In clear step-by-step illustrations and text, he shows: how to draw streamlined figures in poses; body types and muscles; the mechanics of facial expression; how to know which muscles to eliminate in a simplified drawing; grouping muscles; muscle contours versus bone contours; muscles in classic comic-book poses like flying and punching; and more. Now artist can stop struggling with the fine points of anatomy and start creating modern looking heroes and heroines with help from Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist.
Very Good... Not Perfect I'm in no way a professional cartoonist. I draw for personal satisfaction. My work is ok best so take my comments in that context.
This book is not a step by step instruction on how to draw comic book heroes... It assumes you know the basics and are looking to draw in a more streamlined manner similar to modern action animation being produced today. That being said it does give a lot of great tips and tricks that have really boosted my skills in a short amount of time and I'm not even finished reading the entire book yet. My only reason for giving it 4 stars is that I don't love the authors writing style. I'm a technical person and he obviously isn't one. I wish he was more organized and too the point. But that's a personal preference. He does know what he's doing and he's great at it. But for me I had to dig a little to get the good stuff out but it's there and it works.
One note about comments stating the drawing are inconsistent... I have to say I actually like that... Gets your mind working in order to form your own style rather than just copy what you see. It all works for me. I've very tempted to buy more of his books. I have the "Cartoon Cool" book but haven't started reading it. At first glance that one looks good too.
Not for the beginner... The style taught in this book is lovely, and the author/artist himself gives some wonderful examples of simplified comic book style heros. However, it shows rather than teaches more often than not, and does not go into enough detail on how the image is created. Definately not for the beginner, but a good guide for acomplished artists who need some ideas for new styles to try out.
Horrible I actually thought it might be fun to learn anatomy in a more simplified manner. I have three of Hart's books. The only book he's done so far that I love is Cartoon Cool: Retro Cartooning. I actually think that book does a better job at explaining simplified anatomy. This book... has many different artists contributing, so nothing looks consistent. And there are some artists, that are horrible... I mean so bad that I think a 10 year old could draw better. At first you get the feel of Bruce Timm style art, then it progresses into garbage. There are a few pages that actually have incorrect anatomy, I couldn't believe it. This book had potential... I just can't get over the art, some drawings are incredibly bad, if you don't believe me go to the book store and flip through the pages. Save your money, or purchase Ben Caldwell's art books, he knows what he's doing.
Simplified Anatomy for the Comic Book Artist This book called "SIMPLIFIED ANATOMY FOR THE COMIC BOOK ARTIST" by Christopher Hart certainly lives up to its title. It really shows the most simple way to draw women and men. It shows the easy way to draw faces and bodies, and it especially shows HOW to draw a muscle hero. It is an art instruction book really worth having and studying. The only fault I found with it, is that the cartoon women's legs were too long!---- But otherwise, it is an excellent book that all cartoonists should have. Do not miss out on this book, it really teaches.---- Luisa Felix, FelixHoboken@aol.com
Great for simplifying the process Although I don't stylize my characters quite as much (huge chin, pointy features, etc), the approach in this book makes drawing the human figure much simpler and easier to understand. The sections on the simplified bone structure and various muscle sets are quite useful.
Chris Hart has a great approach to teaching in his books and I'm constantly amazed by his ability to draw so well in so many styles!
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