Art Models 3: Life Nude Photos for the Visual Arts CD-ROM – April 1, 2007

Having worked with live models (both nude and clothed) for over thirty years, the Art Model series 2, 3, and 4 (along with its DVDs), which are the ones I recently own, are the best I have seen of its kind. The authors have bent over backwards to create a reference book on models for artists and I was pleased to find the following:In Art Models 2, the authors focus on classically inspired poses and cite their reference (i.e., "The Implorer" Rodin, 1900, On Disk: mandy017; and "Torso with a Twist," A Red Ink study by Michelangelo, circa 1510 Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, On Disk: jim013. Etc.).In Art Models 3 and 4, the authors: include props (invaluable when an artist has to be sensitive to and understand the dynamics of the slightest muscle shift and its effect on the fulcrum; one grid page and one non-grid page with the same pose (an important aid when something about the image just doesn't look right); 24 angles of the same pose for 360 degree views; and two-model poses which aids in spatial relationships.The series serves exactly what the authors intended; that is, a reference to work from, independently creating (drawing, painting, sculpting) from the suggested poses in the books/CDs. My first choice will always be to work from a live model because cameras lie and distort by reinterpreting what our eyes see. Photographers reinterpret what the camera sees. And the inks necessary for printed publications, again, reinterpret the image tones. As an example, in terms of inches, our feet are larger than our heads. The camera doesn't see this and the feet look suspiciously too small; all the figures are imbued with a luscious warm body tone which in reality our shadow areas, at the turning point, shifts into a slightly cool range. To have everything in a warm tone tends to flatten the image. These are camera and printer's ink issues; but, this knowledge is important when planning to please a client.

Drawing the figure well takes time, patience, and models. The weak link in the chain is access to life models. Even when you have access it's usually in a group, thus the group has to agree on a pose, then you can/cannot get the view you want or need. That said, there's nothing like drawing from a live model. BUT the cd-rom enclosed in this book comes darn close. I pop it in my blu-ray and draw from the flat screen. The difference is there are no distractions in the background and the model on the cd incrementally gives a different angle with each jpg. Wonderful. The light doesn't change either. Can't wait till they come out with more books and yes, I've more than one. My only critiscism is the lighting is a bit flat. I'd like more darks.This series' competitor is "Virtual Pose". For me the "Art Models" series wins hands down. In "Virtual Pose" the photos are opened using Quicktime or a media player. Be advised you can't (or I can't) play it on the blu-ray. I suppose "Virtual" is fine if you draw from the computer screen. For me I like the versatility of jpegs. With "Art Model" i can draw from the computer, flat screen TV or print it out. If you're looking for a great reference buy this series. (In all fairness with "Virtual" you can rotate the model with a pointer instead of paging to a different jpeg. Still like having the jpegs.)

Wow, what a great tool for us sculptors! Even established artists will love this book/cd. The photos are sharp, highly detailed and well-lit. For me as a sculptor, the best thing about the Art Models series, is that most poses include images both from high and low vantage points and not just an eye level viewpoint. I also find the lighting perfect! I don't need the strong shadows cast in a lot of photography that referential anatomy books for artist usually include. I find it somewhat distracting and very hard to see detail. My finished piece will cast its own shadows when displayed. I hope in the future while trying to include more photos with shadows for 2D artist, the publishers of Art Models don't forget about us sculptors and our needs with lighting. Hopefully, future books and cds will find a nice balance.

The Art Models 3 CD is an exceptional value for figure artists. The CD includes 56 tasteful poses of both sexes (sometimes together), with diverse and attractive body types, and mostly in classic nude poses. There are 24 views of each pose taken around a rotating platform. The color photos can easily be viewed in standard picture viewing and editing software, and are of sufficiently high resolution to show fine details, even when enlarged to life size. For those of us who don't currently have access to a talented group of models, all of whom are available on short notice and will never tire from holding the same pose for hours on end, this is a great resource.

I have used the images from Posespace.com and have been very happy with the various models & poses.I am however a bit disappointed in the quality of the ebooks. The images become quite pixelated when trying to zoom in. Also when the ebooks are purchased on Amazon you are not eligible to download the full res companion images. The response from Posespace is " We are notdirectly associated with Amazon". If the better images (full res) are important to you, its not worth the two dollars difference.

I would like a refund as I thought I was ordering a hardback book for a present. My daughter can't use the kindle version. I have now bought the hardback book.

Art Models 3 is very well done. The book has a variety of models in a variety of poses. This gives you plenty of references for your art work.

Good book for my needs

A very good collection of different models and poses that will be of great use. I do think all of these guides are wonderful.

I use this if I can't get a life drawing class during the weekend. I use a 10" tablet viewed through Kindle and the images look really crisp, having the pose rotate through 90 degrees simulates a live model very effectively.For anyone looking for a cheap and convienient life model this is the next best thing to a live class. So long as you time yourself, say two five minute sessions and then two twenty minutes of the same pose, then you'll find the book very effective.

good book great photos on life art poses I sometime pose for local art groups and this is a big help forposes for the groups I like this book

solves a real issue for any impecunious artist but being readers choices edition some poses work better than others and similar, consider specific category editions are a better investment

Very good thank you