The Art Models 3 CD is an exceptional value for figure artists. The CD includes 56 tasteful poses of both sexes (sometimes together), with diverse and attractive body types, and mostly in classic nude poses. There are 24 views of each pose taken around a rotating platform. The color photos can easily be viewed in standard picture viewing and editing software, and are of sufficiently high resolution to show fine details, even when enlarged to life size. For those of us who don't currently have access to a talented group of models, all of whom are available on short notice and will never tire from holding the same pose for hours on end, this is a great resource.

Drawing the figure well takes time, patience, and models. The weak link in the chain is access to life models. Even when you have access it's usually in a group, thus the group has to agree on a pose, then you can/cannot get the view you want or need. That said, there's nothing like drawing from a live model. BUT the cd-rom enclosed in this book comes darn close. I pop it in my blu-ray and draw from the flat screen. The difference is there are no distractions in the background and the model on the cd incrementally gives a different angle with each jpg. Wonderful. The light doesn't change either. Can't wait till they come out with more books and yes, I've more than one. My only critiscism is the lighting is a bit flat. I'd like more darks.

This series' competitor is "Virtual Pose". For me the "Art Models" series wins hands down. In "Virtual Pose" the photos are opened using Quicktime or a media player. Be advised you can't (or I can't) play it on the blu-ray. I suppose "Virtual" is fine if you draw from the computer screen. For me I like the versatility of jpegs. With "Art Model" i can draw from the computer, flat screen TV or print it out. If you're looking for a great reference buy this series. (In all fairness with "Virtual" you can rotate the model with a pointer instead of paging to a different jpeg. Still like having the jpegs.)

Once upon a time, two naive kids named Adam and Eve ate fruit from the Tree of Knowledge and discovered that not only did they have bodies, but that their bodies were different. For one thing, it took three fig leaves to cover Eve unless she carefully draped her hair, but only one small one for Adam when the weather turned cold.

Since the big "Garden of Eden" debacle, artists and students (and peeping toms, among others) have been studying the form of the human body, trying to recreate the nuances and curves on cave walls, canvas, paper, papyrus, dinner napkins, bathroom walls and whatever else was at hand. Naturally, not all were successful.

Unless you're Picasso or Willem de Kooning, you'll probably want to put things in their right places and proportions, and the best way to do this is by using a professional Artist's Model. Unfortunately, models don't grow on trees, so if you're model-deficient I'd like to recommend this book with the accompanying CD.

The book features 56 crisp, full color, two-page sets of nude male and female models in various poses, each pose being shown from 4 angles. The CD expands on this with 24 views for each pose, each of which are "zoom-able" to allow the artist to get up close and personal with the subject. The sets include frequently requested poses with high contrast lighting and even some two-model scenarios.

Male models include the hunky Jesse, the boy next door Michael, and the vintage Dan, while the female models range from petite to average-sized. There are quite a few poses by Carolyne, who was six months pregnant at the time, but please note that there aren't any Rubenesque or mature female models. The book includes a serial number to get free poses from the related website, and the CD contains over 1600 photographs.

For art students on the go, this book and CD are the next best things to toting around a live Artist's Model, and are a lot less likely to cause a commotion in public places.



Amanda Richards, November 26, 2008

"Art Models 3".......Review by Pauline Adair (Figurative Artist)

I draw and paint every day.... it is not always possible for me to work with life models so I'm frequently searching for references which will prompt me and plant the seed of an idea from which to work. I know plenty of other artists out there who work this way....either from necessity or preference.

I just received a copy of `Art Model 3'.... an artist's reference book for the figure, produced and published by Maureen and Douglas Johnson.

My very first impression when I received this book was that the lighting - which is of major importance to me - was exquisitely arranged. I use shadows a lot to help me define form and volume. I have seen other model books and have been most disappointed with the lighting. Great care has been given to this aspect in Art Models 3, just as if I'd arranged the lighting myself, and it is almost as if the model is standing in the studio with me!

There are over 60 poses, some are represented in this book, but there is an accompanying CD with a full range of 360 degree shots of each pose, 24 views of each, and 2 different angles. You can watch them in a slide show if you like a moving target!

At the front of the book there is a small shot of all poses for easy reference.

A wide variety of models will inspire all figure artists... male & female, slim & fuller figured, couples.....even shots of a pregnant model, very tastefully and sensitively photographed. Seated, standing, active poses and reclining.... they're all here. Artists who just want to practice and hone their drawing skills will find this book extremely valuable. There are poses to suit fantasy artists, or those who design Manga perhaps.

For me, many of the poses and angles appealed and inspired and I will be referencing this book for some new paintings.

The book comes with a solid cover, is beautifully bound and already has
a place in my studio! I can't wait to begin painting!

My grateful thanks to Maureen and Douglas for putting Art Models 3 together.


Art Models 3: Life Nude Photos for the Visual Arts (Art Models series)





November 21, 2008

Several years ago, when I was teaching at the college level, my office was near the studios used by the art department. They occasionally hired nude models to pose for one of the classes and you always knew it when they put signs on the door. At one time I was approached (most likely in jest) about the possibility of being a model, so I learned that they paid over $10/hour for the models. I also knew some art majors and they made it clear that the opportunity to draw just one male and one female nude was not nearly enough practice. Furthermore, they often felt that they did not have enough time to complete their drawings while the model was in studio. One day I had a conversation with a member of the art department about this and she told me that the department simply could not afford to pay for any more model time.
This book would easily solve all of those problems; the authors have created a collection of photos of a wide variety of male and female models in many different poses. Nearly all are nude, but the book is only a small portion of the package. There is a companion CD containing the same images, but the big advantage to the CD is that each pose is presented in multiple images, each from a different angle. Using the Windows image viewer, you can zoom in or out and click to rotate the images. With 24 images per pose, this means that each change rotates the model 360/24 = 15 degrees.
Success in art, like in nearly every other human endeavor is based on practice, practice and more practice. With this book and all of the images available on the CD, any art student will never be without a model. The images are of superb quality, so good that you can even determine how recently the female models shaved their body hair. It is also an excellent book for art departments. In the era of tight budgets and the clear need for more variety in the subjects, using it can create the necessary variety without severely damaging the department budget.