Editorial Review
An atelier program between the covers of a book
* Serious techniques for the serious art student
* Study the work of the Old Masters and today’s top realist artists
* In the tradition of Watson-Guptill’s classic
Drawing Lessons from the Old Masters
Ateliers have produced the greatest artists of all time--and now that educational model is experiencing a renaissance. These studios, a return to classical art training, are based on the nineteenth-century model of teaching artists by pairing them with a master artist over a period of years. Students begin by copying masterworks, then gradually progress to painting as their skills develop. Classical Drawing Atelier is an atelier in a book--and the master is Juliette Aristides, a classically trained artist. On every page, Aristides uses the works of works of Old Masters and today’s most respected realist artists to demonstrate and teach the principles of realist drawing and painting, taking students step by step through the learning curve yet allowing them to work at their own pace. Unique and inspiring, Classical Drawing Atelier is a serious art course for serious art students.
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Customer Reviews
Putting it all in context 
2008-02-08
As a serious amateur artist who takes as many painting and drawing classes as I can, I found this book extremely useful. Aristede provides a brief history that explains how so many of the clasroom practices I have encountered evolved in the first place, and then provides instructions for getting there on one's own. It's a lovely little book. I would recommend it for adult amateurs like myself or young people considering art school and pondering what kind of school to apply to. "Atelier" is a very specific kind of training, like learning classical music the old-fashioned way (scales, practice, etc.) and probably not for everyone.
Excellent coverage of Atelier 
2007-12-01
This book is the most comprehensive on the subject in one place. An excellent reference for concepts of realistic drawing. I did think that some of the philosophy was a bit "off subject", but sometimes it is good to know what the author is thinking when writing. The author is a great living master artist and lets you in on her secret... not just practice, but careful practice and copy the masters.
Excellent Book on Drawing! 2007-11-07
This is the best book on drawing that I have ever read. EVERY serious art student and aspiring artist should own this book and read it over and over until it's memorized.
A solid collection of a good technique 2007-10-04
While most of the material is very elaborately done in this book. She's far from achieving photo-realism. There are a few drawings in there that are obviously idealized. If you want a more realistic aproach to drawing, you may want to sumply go with some of the old masters books.
On an up note, her idealization is very well done, but she really should stick to whats there and possibly work a bit more on the subtle details that would push her to photo-realism.
You can learn to draw very well from this book. The techniques he proposes are sound. The one thing lacking is that this is not the end all be all book of drawing books. There are others out there that surpass this book.
Drawing in depth 2007-10-03
This is a deep book, a kind of survey of essential drawing topics for the artist student, beginning or advanced. My impression is that Ms. Aristides covers the curriculum of her Atelier, explaining the theory behind the practices and learning accomplished there. At any rate, what she discusses she treats thoroughly and thoughtfully with valuable insights. For instance, I have read a number of excellent books on drawing, but hers is the first that defined for me the different meanings contained in straight lines verses curved lines. For me, a key insight. So I think the true value of this book, in addition to spelling out what her students do and learn, is the key artistic wisdom Ms. Aristides shares out of her experience and expert skills.
Beautiful Book 2008-04-20
I had to buy this for my Life drawing class, but I'm not going to sell it back to my school. This book is great. Though it is a bit repetitive, it helps break down drawing skills. After reading this book, I drew a portrait that sold for over $100. It also has some beautiful pictures in it, so now my mother has stolen it, to have on her coffee table....
a masterpiece 2008-04-16
After working with Juliette in her Atelier and practicing these exercises I've discovered things I never expected to learn. Her methods are priceless tools. Whatever you might glean from this wonderful book will most certainly serve you. She is an excellent painter, writer and teacher.
Beautiful drawing 2008-03-21
This comprehensive manual displays a appreciation of the human form and explainns the most important aspects of figure drawings executed in a classic timeless style.
Better than most darwing books 2008-03-21
First off I'd like to say that this book will prove to be very helpful for any artist, ranging from a beginner to a professional and will show you new ways to approach drawing. However if you have studied classical drawing this will prove to be a bit of a let down. I have studied under one of Juliette's instructors and most of her lessons in the back of the book were actually derived from his his. There is one thing however I don't agree with in this book but that wouldn't discourage me from recommending it to others. The problem is that I don't like the way she shows how to draw the casts, its more of an outline that you then go through and work with value rather than working with a line drawing then introducing value. I'm not very found of this technique, but the drawings are very good and there are tons of useful information and great introductory lessons in the back of the book (though there could be more). I would also recommend studying George Bridgman, Gottfried Bammes, Joseph Sheppard, and Robert B. Hale for anatomy and designing the human figure.
Classical Drawing Atelier 2008-03-07
At 144 pages, over one-third of which are drawing examples and with wide margins around the text, this is a slim book that covers the past 600 years of atelier philosophy. Or to say it another way, Aristides narrows it down to a nutshell.
Covering briefly a variety of ideas (i.e., art history, art theory, art reference, as well as how-to), each chapter could be expanded to become a book of its own.
The real questions are:
Do you want to buy this book?
Will you refer to it 100 times over the year?
Will you be inspired?
Will you take "anything" away with you after you have read the book?
The answer will depend on your current perceptions and where you are and where you are going as an artist. If you are interested in an overview of atelier philosophy, this would be a good book to begin with.
