Gordon, Louise. How to Draw the Human Figure: An Anatomical Approach. 1979.

The book How to Draw the Human Figure: An Anatomical Approach, written by Lousie Gordon, gives an artist a look at the human body with the aim to teach artists the details of drawing the humans figure. The book is geared toward the artistic mind and it leaves out anything that you wouldn’t need to draw the human form from an artistic perspective. 

The illustrations are expertly crafted, and easily understood, and the book progresses in a simple, understandable manner. The clear and step-by-step understanding of anatomy that this book gives is perfect for a beginner’s look at drawing the figure. 

This book offers a different perspective on my work that I hope to expand my knowledge on throughout the project. Understanding how to draw the human body and its many different features is extremely important in being able to accurately sculpt the body. Throughout this project, I will be practicing drawing in addition to sculpturing and this book will give me the tools to accurately advance those skills.

 

Reich, Ryan, host. CLAY is a 4 letter word. 2019. Spotify app.

Ryan Reich hosts a podcast series about clay, art, ceramics, and all that comes with it. Each episode of the, 16 part series, has a different guest who discusses ceramics, pottery, sculpture, art, and its place in the 21st century. The guests describe their experience with this art form and how it has impacted their lives.

Additionally, this series gives an in-depth look at the process of many different ceramic artists. The guests give details on their creations and projects they have made and offer advice to the listeners and each other. 

This podcast will be useful in my senior project as it gives a different perspective on ceramics than other texts I will be using. Additionally, the experiences shared in the podcast I can learn from in order to guide my own work. 

 

Raynes, John. Human Anatomy For The Artist. 1988.

The book Human Anatomy for the Artist, written by John Raynes, focuses on illustrating the complexity of human anatomy through a lens made for artists. The book specifies everything from proportions to angles and uses many different body shapes and types to do so. 

Additionally, Raynes also portrays the body in simpler terms that allow the reader to visualize the larger shapes of the body rather than focusing on the detail.

This book will serve as a reference point for me throughout my project. I have previously used this book to ensure my measurements and proportions are correct and I will continue to use it for that purpose throughout this project.

 

Randy Johnston | An Expansive Vision. Performance by Randy Johnston.

     goldmark.

This documentary tells the story of a well-respected studio potter, Randy Johnston. It is set in his beautiful Wisconsin studio and gives a revealing and moving insight into his artistic journey. Johnston discusses his approach to his practice and his philosophy on art and teaching. 

Additionally, this documentary goes into detail about his life and the journey that he took to find a passion for ceramics. Originally pushing against his family’s desire for him to become a doctor, Johnston speaks of his early travels to Japan, where he met two very prominent ceramic figures Shoji Hamada and Tatsuzo Shimaoka.

This documentary will be useful in my senior project because I will be able to visually watch the journey of an amazing artist and learn about his artistic process as well as his mindset when it comes to the work he creates. 

 

Rubino, Peter. The Portrait in Clay: A Technical, Artistic, and Philosophical

     Journey Toward Understanding the Dynamic and Creative Forces in Portrait

     Sculpture. 1997.

The Portrait in Clay is written by Peter Rubino, who is both a sculptor and a dedicated teacher. His book teaches both the fundamentals of portrait sculpture as well as how to cultivate your own artistic expression through tools and your hands. The book seemingly simulates an actual studio class and gives clear, step-by-step examples to frame the entirety of the sculptural process. 

Additionally, he gives information on the equipment, ways to use the tools and your hands, the anatomical structures and features of the human head, and firing your finish pieces. There is a section that contains information on how to finish your pieces, including how to use specific glazes, metal glazes, patinas, and how to mount your work. 

This book will be useful in my senior project as I need inspiration, assistance on a specific aspect of my creations, or as I run into issues along the way. This book has everything that could assist me in overcoming even the most complex sculptural problems and will be a great resource as I move through my project.