Drawing the Draped Figure

By George B. Bridgman

Many art students and professionals have mastered the art of depicting unclothed figures, but still have trouble accurately rendering clothing or other forms of draped cloth. Part of the problem -- before this book came along -- was that there was a lack of concise and simple instruction on the subject, and much that was written was too vague to be helpful. This comprehensive, well-illustrated book was created to solve the problem.
In these pages George Bridgman -- a longtime instructor at New York's Art Student League and one of the nation's foremost teachers of figure drawing -- offers expert advice on depicting draped figures. "Clothing is none other than a drapery arranged around a body that is beneath it. To express the multitudinous forms it takes, one should learn to express in a direct way the different characters of folds, for each one plays its individual part as distinctly apart as actors play their different characters upon the stage."
Students learn the characteristics of seven different kinds of folds and how to render them, including pipe, zigzag, spiral, half-lock, diaper pattern, drop, and inert folds. Mastery of these principles is the key to realistic portrayal of garments, as well as the proper rendering of cloth in still lifes. The straightforward, easy-to-follow text is illustrated by 200 of Bridgman's own sketches and diagrams, reproduced from pencil renderings in crisp halftones. Art students, teachers, and professionals alike are sure to welcome this inexpensive republication of a practical, hands-on manual by a master of figure drawing.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486418022
• ISBN13: 9780486418025
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 6.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A good reference book for drawing folds and draped cloth in fabric.

This is a Dover edition, first published in 2001. However it is an unabridged republication of the original edition published by Bridgman Publishers, Inc., Pelham, New York, under the title.. The Seven Laws of folds published in 1942... The seven folds being... Pipe, Zigzag, Spiral, Half-lock, Diaper Pattern, Drop (Flying drapery), and Inert. Each of these laws have their own definition along with a few sketches for example reference to that particular drape/fold. Most of the sketches are based 100AD - 400AD period of draped cloth. There are a few sketches of 40's style clothing. But as the author states no matter the time period of dress all fold rhythm will remain the same. These are sketches not full finished drawings. This is a good reference resource for drawing fabric folds and the purpose of those folds. Not a resource for clothing fashion.