.
.
.
Writing a book on anatomy is no small feat.
The complexities of the human form require a lifetime of dedicated study and even then, most will never completely master its forms.
.
A former teacher once said, “You have to learn the basics and then forget them in order to create art.”
.
With Anatomy there’s another old adage to help with the daunting amount of literature to master in the basics, “You only have to learn half of it. The other side it the same.”
Although poignant and cleaver that, “Half,” is still quite daunting.
.
When I was asked to review, Scott Spencer, Eric Keller and Paul Gaboury’s new book, “ZBrush Digital Sculpting human Anatomy,” I hesitated.
.
These are friends of mine. Could I write a truthful review? I mean, what if I didn’t like it? It’s one thing to not like something in private and another to voice your opinion in public.
.
Thankfully I can genuinely say that I liked the book.
Not because the book is the end-all in anatomy study.
More for the fact that the proper points were stressed throughout it’s pages.
.
In general the book comes from a three tier approach, that of teaching anatomical planes of transition / visual landmarks. Second, the superhero proportions that so many seemed to be enthralled with on the forums throughout the internet. Lastly the systematic approach of applied learning and application within ZBrush.
.
The 8 head canon, is a measuring tool that befits the superhero proportions and is adhered to throughout the text.
.
Scott makes no qualms about the fact the he is on a journey to anatomical enlightenment, as are most of us in the sculpting community. This is refreshing as he passes on his knowledge from that stand point, even going as far as providing a list of further learning materials the reader should look into for continued studies.
.
.
I have to applaud the breath of the book. What Scott does is provide excellent coverage of all of the relevant materials a sculptor needs to master in order progress in his studies.
.
This is a good, “How to exercise book,” that will help demystify the entangled web of anatomy by having the reader follow a systematic approach to building knowledge.
.
It is up to the reader to follow through with the suggestions and practical applications provided in the text.
.
ZBrush Digital Sculpting human Anatomy, succeeds on many levels. First and foremost in the hybrid Anatomy Training and Tutorial methodology. Second and what I deem most important, the systematic approach through each chapter to building up our understanding of what anatomy is.
.
Often in anatomy books, much time is spent on learning muscles, this book has an even balance to the subject matter.
.
If the reader follows the book in a systematic way he or she will benefit immensely as it will guide them towards learning terminology and increasing visual sensibility. This directly translates in real world dynamics that can be applied to one’s personal artworks.
.
ZBrush Digital Sculpting human Anatomy, should not be the end all to anyone’s anatomy training, nor does it profess itself to be so. But it does provide a great launching point into more complex studies down the line.
All in all, the authors and Sybex should be proud to have this in their library .
.
Drop on by Amazon.com and pick up a copy.
.
.