Robert Beverly Hale Drawing Lessons From The Great Masters

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· 8,581 ratings · 35 reviews

Start your review of Drawing Lessons from the Great Masters: 100 Great Drawings Analyzed, Figure Drawing Fundamentals Defined

Dec 23, 2018 Jenna rated it really liked it

I've always been very interested in art, especially drawing, but never had a chance to take a class in the subject after grade school. My interest was piqued again after my participation in #inktober this year, so a few weeks back, I dusted off this old book.

I actually bought this book years back, about a decade ago or so. It was interesting to see how much easier the text is to understand now that I've completed the training to become a musculoskeletal radiologist than it was when I first attempted to read it ten years ago, back when my understanding of human musculoskeletal anatomy was relatively poor. I see that some earlier Goodreads reviewers have commented on how their enjoyment of this book's drawings was compromised by their dislike for the text, and I think this has to do with the cheeky tone Hale takes, the sort of airy high-handed way he sprinkles anatomy jargon everywhere without adequately explaining it so that readers will marvel at what a hard job he has as an artist and how much study must have been required to achieve his level of expertise. I can see how this tone and approach could be off-putting to some. Still, now that I happen to have some understanding of musculoskeletal anatomy under my belt, I found myself able to follow along and even enjoy it. Your mileage may vary.

"You may wonder whether artists have X-ray eyes; I assure you that is just what all good artists have."

To be fair, this book doesn't pretend to teach beginning artists everything they need to know about drawing: in fact, Hale repeatedly and explicitly directs beginners to seek out other resources to round out their knowledge of anatomy, perspective, etc. But he does cover some fundamentals (highlights, shade, planes) at a basic level, driving them home with a healthy amount of repetition and examples. And the choice of examples is impeccable: if you want to learn from the best -- Michelangelo, Leonardo, Durer, Rembrandt -- you can do so here. This is a book to which I can see myself returning time and time again.

I underlined a few passages that I thought had surprising applicability, albeit unintentionally, to the world of creative writing and poetry:

"Beginners always feel that all details are created equal and that it is thoroughly undemocratic to put details in their proper place. But this liberal belief leads to disaster. Of course a drawing must have details. But the student must realize that their impact must be subordinated or intensified at times. And sometimes they are selected, invented, or even eliminated altogether. These procedures require the deepest resources of the artist."

And:

"It is curious that we all cannot draw hands well -- after all, our own hands are constantly in view. This simply proves the point again: we cannot draw anything well unless we have thought about it a great deal. Very often, when I am lecturing on hands, I notice the students carefully examining their own hands as if they were seeing them for the first time. Actually, I suppose the forms we draw are just thoughts with lines around them."

And:

"This drawing was done very quickly. Students always feel that they can make a good drawing if they have enough time. But these marvelously rapid sketches of Rembrandt may teach you that it is not time that makes a good drawing, but understanding."

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Nov 17, 2009 Parka rated it it was amazing

(More pictures at parkablogs.com)

Drawing Lessons From the Great Masters is an art book that teaches by looking at the art fundamentals used by great art masters themselves — Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Rodin, Goya, Rembrandt, among others.

(More pictures at parkablogs.com)

There are 100 master drawings analysed by Robert Beverly Hale on the fundamentals such as line, light and planes, mass, position and thrust, and anatomy. These are all figure drawings. Each illustration is printed full on one page with a certain section selected for analyzing on the next. The commentary is simple and concise, providing great insight to what these artists were thinking. Many of these pieces are really sketches but when you realised the thought put behind every stroke and what the artist was trying to show, you'll instantly be enlightened.

At the end of this book, even if you can't draw yet, you'll be able to identify the difference between a good and bad drawing. And when you draw, you'll remember the principles.

This is a really useful and inspirational reference book, great for beginner to advanced artists.

Robert Beverly Hale has also authored Anatomy Lessons From The Great Masters, which uses the same teaching style here but focusing on anatomy drawings.

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Oct 16, 2019 Bastgr rated it really liked it

Please buy some bones. (c) Robert Hale
Or at least rob some graves. (c) Leonardo da Vinci

As a student of art and art history, I was disappointed in how few photographs and drawings the book contained. There were a few illustrations. The title of the book was misleading. I would have like to have seen multiple drawings in color by the masters. As a student it helps to see examples of art principles clearly demonstrated. I feel this book missed the mark. I have read numerous books that did a better job of illustrating the principals in art. Therefore, this book was not that helpful to As a student of art and art history, I was disappointed in how few photographs and drawings the book contained. There were a few illustrations. The title of the book was misleading. I would have like to have seen multiple drawings in color by the masters. As a student it helps to see examples of art principles clearly demonstrated. I feel this book missed the mark. I have read numerous books that did a better job of illustrating the principals in art. Therefore, this book was not that helpful to me. ...more

Feb 27, 2018 Anna C rated it really liked it

This is a thorough guide to figure drawing. I found the actual information on anatomy far too technical for the average student, but the book does do a great job getting you to really see light, shadow, and planes. You do, however, also get the impression that Hale was a terrifying teacher: incredibly demanding and arrogant. I can't even count the number of times he says you'll never become a competent draftsman unless you acquire a literal skeleton of human bones, or that you basically need to This is a thorough guide to figure drawing. I found the actual information on anatomy far too technical for the average student, but the book does do a great job getting you to really see light, shadow, and planes. You do, however, also get the impression that Hale was a terrifying teacher: incredibly demanding and arrogant. I can't even count the number of times he says you'll never become a competent draftsman unless you acquire a literal skeleton of human bones, or that you basically need to have a knowledge of anatomy rivaling that of the average MD. It's a good thing Hale has been safely dead for decades, and I can study this book in peace. ...more

Apr 18, 2021 Serge Pierro rated it it was amazing

Within every area of interest there are books that can be considered "essential". The designation as essential, usually relates to a certain aspect of the topic at hand. Robert Beverly Hale's classic book, "Drawing Lessons From the Great Masters" is one such book.

The book features 100 drawings by some of the greatest artists from the past, and are analyzed by Hale himself. The format of the book is that the left side of the page will feature a smaller version of the featured piece and then there are paragraphs that go into whatever is being discussed at the moment. Each of the works of art have letters from the alphabet attributed to points of reference and Hale the explains what is happening at each of the "lettered points". The reader is then able to look of the facing page, where a larger, full page, presentation of the piece is featured, and can then examine the nuances and details that Hale is describing on the preceding page. This format works brilliantly throughout the book and gives the reader the opportunity to take a look at the two pages and walk away with a valuable lesson in a short amount of time. This is not a book that you will want to read "cover to cover" in one sitting, as there is enough instruction in each lesson that you will want to close the book and meditate/savor on the lesson learned and absorb it into your subconscious.

The topics covered are: "Learning to Draw", "Line", "Light and Planes", "Mass", "Position, Thrust or Direction", "Artistic Anatomy" and "Driving all the Horses at Once". At the start of each of the topics, Hale spends a few pages discussing the topic at hand, before moving onto the annotated illustrations. He does a great job of communicating the essential skills and concepts to be further explored.

Besides Hale's excellent analysis, the book features outstanding works by the likes of Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Rembrandt and others!

This is a book that you will return to many times during your lifetime, as the insights provided will reveal more of themselves as you further mature as an artist.

Highly Recommended!

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Drawing Lessons From the Great Masters has remained in print since the 1960s. Robert Gale came up with an ambitious goal for an art instruction book, using drawing from the old masters to illustrate various lessons about drawing. The book is divided into topics, such as line, mass, anatomy, and after each explanation he shows several examples. And what fine examples they are. I was particularly pleased to see so many drawings by Andrea Del Sarto.

Gale's concept and organization are far better th

Gale's concept and organization are far better than his actual writing. I found the anatomy section problematic. He uses terms that aren't well explained - or explained at all. I have a pretty good knowledge of bone structure and basic musculature, but I had to resort to google several times. I wondered how a beginner would navigate this section. In spite of this, I found the book useful and would recommend checking it out of the library and doing some of the exercises.

(In the same vein, I recommend

The Master Draughtsman Series, which is out of print, but one can still find them on eBay or Amazon. The volumes cover a vast array of artists going from the Rennaisance to the mid-20th century. I especially liked the volumes on Watteau, Ingres, Raphael, and The Hand in Art) ...more

This was a very helpful guide on drawing and I learned much about how to approach my own drawing studies. It includes drawings in various stages of finish from a wide variety of Greats such as da Vinci, Durer, Titian, Rembrandt, Degas, and many more. Full page illustrations were each followed with an analysis by Robert Beverly Hale complete with a smaller version of the artwork, labeled for easy reference.

The forward is by Jacob Collins, one of the leading realist artists working today. He foun

The forward is by Jacob Collins, one of the leading realist artists working today. He founded the Water Street Atelier and Grand Central Academy of Art in New York, where I hope to take some summer workshops at some point.

This book is definitely one to keep.

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Aug 21, 2017 Jessica rated it it was amazing

One of my all-time favorite art instruction books. It answers so many questions that I developed while drawing and painting. For example, which artist uses which type of head construction: sphere, box, cylinder, other? I never found another book that acknowledges the choice, let alone shows me how to analyze the drawings of my choice.

This book has a very good treatment of lines and planes in particular. I also love the little gems like page 31 where the author caught da Vinci practicing his shad

This book has a very good treatment of lines and planes in particular. I also love the little gems like page 31 where the author caught da Vinci practicing his shading!

I'm calling it read, but I come back to this book whenever I have a question, so I'll never truly be done. Solidly worth five stars.

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May 07, 2021 Shaz rated it it was amazing

Study from this and you will get better at figure drawing. The main thing you learn is how past artists tackled subjects such as anatomy and lighting.

I also think your tastes will improve. Your standards for a "good" figure drawing will change for the better I think. These days we might see a lot of crazy dynamic figure drawings in comics and anime etc. This book will teach you that there can be power in subtlety.

Study from this and you will get better at figure drawing. The main thing you learn is how past artists tackled subjects such as anatomy and lighting.

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This book is a little bit advanced.
It guides readers to analyze and appreciated masterpieces from artist and lessons reader why the drawings are good and how to learn.

It introduces concepts such as line, light and planes, mass, position, and directions. All these are extremely useful as a systematic way to understand drawings.

This is easily the best book for learning fundamentals. Every artist should read and work throuh this book at least once, it will literally transform your practice. I am going to work through the lessons again in another six months to reassess my skills, doing these as warm-ups before my main drawing sessions.

This book is indespensible.

Excellent ideas and progression of skills and concepts, as well as compelling, canonical drawings, though the author's analysis and detailed examination of each drawing, which often fell on the left page, remained tedious throughout. Excellent ideas and progression of skills and concepts, as well as compelling, canonical drawings, though the author's analysis and detailed examination of each drawing, which often fell on the left page, remained tedious throughout. ...more

Jul 25, 2021 Jason rated it really liked it

This is definitely not for the beginning artist. However, for those with a general sense of artistic anatomy, Hale's discussion of these master works in terms of form, massing, tone, and thrust is truly informative.

Mar 01, 2018 Vixtrolla rated it really liked it

A bunch of excellent life drawing tips to keep in mind. Excellent examples.

Aug 06, 2020 Sarah Long rated it it was amazing

This book contains interesting concepts pointing into the nuances of observation. I can see it changing the way I practice drawing. It is a valuable tool.

Mar 21, 2017 Dreams rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. it was amazing and very helpful

A very basic primer in drawing based on classical techniques and the work of the great masters, usually the post-Renaissance Italian masters. The material is very basic, going through the primaries of line, form, shade and structures, but the real gold is the simplified analysis of master drawings. An interesting book and worth a look through. Four stars, not five.

Initially, this seemed like a basic "how to" drawing book, using solely lines, but Hale continued to develop the nuances of drawing through examination of drawings by masters. Eventually, he looks at all of the facets of a drawing and details what you can learn from the problems that the great artists resolved. A fascinating book. Initially, this seemed like a basic "how to" drawing book, using solely lines, but Hale continued to develop the nuances of drawing through examination of drawings by masters. Eventually, he looks at all of the facets of a drawing and details what you can learn from the problems that the great artists resolved. A fascinating book. ...more

I enjoyed this unusual book and used it as the starting point for a course I taught in improving drawing by studying the masters. I like that the language and some of the ideas are a bit outdated as it underscores the evolution of ideas about art and technique. Overall it is interesting, insightful and a good book for any artist to study.

Mar 15, 2008 Annie rated it it was ok

It has a good basic over view of everything ones needs to know for the basics of drawing. But I dont think it breaks the steps down well enough or analyze each area but it also does give good examples of artwork.

Sep 04, 2008 Jessica rated it it was amazing

I love this book. Mine copy is worn and loved. Even if you have been doing art for quite some time, there is so much to learn by studying the works in this book. I think ever visual artist should keep a copy and experiment with it.

Jul 25, 2012 Michelle rated it it was amazing

I am still going through this book, but I absolutely love the in-depth analysis and tips and advice for the artists. Ever since I got a glimpse of Robert Beverly Hale's lectures, I knew he was a gold mind of information. A pity that he passed away. I am still going through this book, but I absolutely love the in-depth analysis and tips and advice for the artists. Ever since I got a glimpse of Robert Beverly Hale's lectures, I knew he was a gold mind of information. A pity that he passed away. ...more

Oct 02, 2015 Ray rated it it was amazing

The author shows how the great artists created the illusion of three dimensions on a two dimensional surface with their drawings. This is a great book for not only art students but those who want to appreciate art more.

Apr 05, 2016 Justin rated it it was amazing

Wow, a master class in the fundamentals and application of drawing with examples from the World's great masters.

Learning to Draw, Line, Light and Planes, Mass, Position Thrust or Direction, Artistic Anatomy, and Driving all the Horses at Once.

Wow, a master class in the fundamentals and application of drawing with examples from the World's great masters.

Learning to Draw, Line, Light and Planes, Mass, Position Thrust or Direction, Artistic Anatomy, and Driving all the Horses at Once.

...more

I'm not keen on the text, but the reproductions are excellent. I'm not keen on the text, but the reproductions are excellent. ...more

Great introduction to figure drawing concepts

Sep 19, 2011 Makingamark rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: those wanting to develop advanced drawing skills

One of the standard "must have" books for people wanting to understand more about classical drawing and what the drawings of the great artists looked like One of the standard "must have" books for people wanting to understand more about classical drawing and what the drawings of the great artists looked like ...more

Jun 01, 2012 HELLO rated it it was amazing

must read for artists and aspiring artists alike. contained within is a lifetime's worth of artistic wisdom and 100 plates to copy and practice from must read for artists and aspiring artists alike. contained within is a lifetime's worth of artistic wisdom and 100 plates to copy and practice from ...more

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Robert Beverly Hale (1901–November 14, 1985) was an artist, curator of American paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and instructor of artistic anatomy at the Art Students League of New York and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_... Robert Beverly Hale (1901–November 14, 1985) was an artist, curator of American paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and instructor of artistic anatomy at the Art Students League of New York and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_... ...more

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