By Allan Kraayvanger. It's the first thing anyone looks at when there's a figure in a painting: the details of the human head and face. There's far more to creating an accurate portrait than meets the eye, and that's exactly what this extremely focused, richly visual guide teaches artists. The amount of information here is truly astounding, and it offers help for anyone struggling to master the technique.
The study starts with the basic shapes, planes, forms, and values of the head. There's a "map" to follow as a model, a discussion of anatomy, suggestions for capturing profiles and angled views, advice on recognizing what makes a face individual, historical photos to examine, and so much more. No other art book is its equal on the subject.
Paperback, 112 pages. © Sterling, 2007.