Changing Two: Drawings by Michael Leonard

Rating:
Summary: The art is beautiful but the book is short on inspiration
Review: Perhaps it is the "let's get it all in here" mentality of this book of Michael Leonard's drawings that diminishes the overall impact of what could be an elegant homage to a fine artist. Or perhaps it is the scale of reproductions and quality of transfer that makes this inherently tender book seem sterile. But past these deficiencies there is much to savour. Leonard draws beautifully, celebrating the male form in his own vision of honesty of observation that leads to sensually satisfying images. He has been drawing and painting the male figure for years now and few can match his softly lighted men changing and stretching. Others in his class include Wade Reynolds, Paul Cadmus, Charles Beauchamp and Claudio Bravo - each with his signature style making it patently obvious that the time to return to the male nude has finally arrived.

Rating:
Summary: The art is beautiful but the book is short on inspiration
Review: Perhaps it is the "let's get it all in here" mentality of this book of Michael Leonard's drawings that diminishes the overall impact of what could be an elegant homage to a fine artist. Or perhaps it is the scale of reproductions and quality of transfer that makes this inherently tender book seem sterile. But past these deficiencies there is much to savour. Leonard draws beautifully, celebrating the male form in his own vision of honesty of observation that leads to sensually satisfying images. He has been drawing and painting the male figure for years now and few can match his softly lighted men changing and stretching. Others in his class include Wade Reynolds, Paul Cadmus, Charles Beauchamp and Claudio Bravo - each with his signature style making it patently obvious that the time to return to the male nude has finally arrived.

Rating:
Summary: NOT PHOTOGRAPHS, THESE ARE DRAWINGS!
Review: This 1992 book is an updated and revised edition of a 1982 book of Mr. Leonard's drawings titled CHANGES: 50 DRAWINGS By MICHAEL LEONARD. Its revision consists of a new artist's note, the replacement of 10 drawings from the original edition with 10 drawings from years 1986 through 1992 and a larger format.To my eye the reproductions here appear washed out and underexsposed (no pun intended), losing much of the subtly found in Leonard's drawings. The reproductions are larger than in the previous edition but their impact is weaker, because much of these drawings' power and beauty lie in their nuanced values and atmospheric feeling.Still, since it's the only volume on Mr. Leonard's drawings currently available I DO recommend it.Mr. Leonard crops and positions his figures in such a way as to create a strong dynamism within the frame of his drawings. It's surprising how many compositional variations Leonard can create from the simple subject of men undressing. His modelling and edge control are superb. Even though the images come from photographic sources, they have been modified and rendered with such skill as to convincingly inhabit their space. I would have given this book four stars if not for the disappointing reproductions. I also would have liked to seen some of Mr. Leonard's female nudes (Yes, he's done those too!) in this volume. I know that the publisher specializes in books geared to the gay sensibility, but surely a female nude won't frighten off any art lover who happens to be gay!?!I think it's about time for a new book of Michael Leonard's art covering the past 11 years. It's a pity that such a talent should be ignored.

Rating:
Summary: NOT PHOTOGRAPHS, THESE ARE DRAWINGS!
Review: This 1992 book is an updated and revised edition of a 1982 book of Mr. Leonard's drawings titled CHANGES: 50 DRAWINGS By MICHAEL LEONARD. Its revision consists of a new artist's note, the replacement of 10 drawings from the original edition with 10 drawings from years 1986 through 1992 and a larger format.To my eye the reproductions here appear washed out and underexsposed (no pun intended), losing much of the subtly found in Leonard's drawings. The reproductions are larger than in the previous edition but their impact is weaker, because much of these drawings' power and beauty lie in their nuanced values and atmospheric feeling.Still, since it's the only volume on Mr. Leonard's drawings currently available I DO recommend it.Mr. Leonard crops and positions his figures in such a way as to create a strong dynamism within the frame of his drawings. It's surprising how many compositional variations Leonard can create from the simple subject of men undressing. His modelling and edge control are superb. Even though the images come from photographic sources, they have been modified and rendered with such skill as to convincingly inhabit their space. I would have given this book four stars if not for the disappointing reproductions. I also would have liked to seen some of Mr. Leonard's female nudes (Yes, he's done those too!) in this volume. I know that the publisher specializes in books geared to the gay sensibility, but surely a female nude won't frighten off any art lover who happens to be gay!?!I think it's about time for a new book of Michael Leonard's art covering the past 11 years. It's a pity that such a talent should be ignored.