Rating: 
Summary: Just a different set of "left-brain" symbols
Review: This is a time-honored book, it seems, that shows you many symbolic approaches to representing reality in drawing. It is in direct opposition, I think, to the "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" approach, which teaches you a method of "seeing" what's in front of you, so that you don't have to represent it as symbols. For example, this book shows how you can draw the hand by seeing it as a collection of triangles and cylinders, connected by ropes (a classical drawing approach). Well, we know that it isn't triangles and cylinders--it's irregular and organic, and besides, everyone's hands look different: understanding it geometrically is just a symbolic crutch to help you see it as it is. Wouldn't it be better just to be able to "see" your hand clearly enough to draw it? Try Betty Edwards' approach, and then come back to this one. You'll see what I mean.Being able to see already, however, I find some of the pencil drawings helpful, and I'm glad I bought the book. Sometimes reducing drawings to schematics, as these are, can help you to discover your own, lingering visual symbols.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books on the art of drawing ever!
Review: Willy Pogany is one of the great classic masters of illustration; yet he does not hesitate to patiently take the student from the very beginning steps of drawing to the most advanced figure exercises. With very few words, and many excellent pictures, Pogany reveals the secrets of art and drawing. And even if you never follow the lessons, the pictures alone are worth the price!
Rating: 
Summary: Easy to get into...
Review: Willy Pogany's book is a hodge-podge of drawing topics that focus primarily on figure-drawing and perspective. Compared to some art books that I presently own, the illustrations in this one seem to be the main form of instruction which is a good thing for a visual learner like me. His drawings are very inspiring, however the book just doesn't go into as much detail as more specific manuals (except for the figure-drawing segment, which is good). This, in itself, would make it highly recommended to those starting out in the arena of art/sketching.
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