Figure Painting in Oil

Figure Painting in Oil by Graves, Douglas R.. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780823017034.

This systematic approach to painting the nude figure in oils provides clear, step-by-step instructions suitable for both beginning and intermediate artists. It opens with a survey of painting materials and then reviews the proportions of the figure and the fundamentals of anatomy. Through a demonstration painted from a plaster cast figure the author goes on to explain how to observe and represent hues, tones and values in a figure painting. The book includes 24 projects which show how to paint each part of the body individually, and exercises illustrating how to use this knowledge to best advantage in painting the whole figure. Other projects are devoted to capturing such essential details as skin and hair color, and the play of light on the figure.