Virtual Pose: The Ultimate Visual Reference Series for Drawing the Human Figure

I have several other Virtual Pose books. Happy with those. This book had the CD ripped out of the back. The CD is the most helpful part of these books.

The poses in this book are just what I needed but the washed out quality of the photos make it not very useful. You can't get a real sense of the lights and shadows. I'm hoping one of the others will be better.

Awesome

In "Virtual Pose : The Ultimate Visual Reference Series for Drawing the Human Figure" (Book & CD-ROM), Mario H. Chakkour has brilliantly merged the concepts of fine art, the human figure, and multimedia technology into a wonderful tool for artists. Combining his artistic background, technological knowledge, and vision, Chakkour has created a developing artist's dream in this multimedia package which contains a visual library of the classically posed human form captured in the photographic images of exceptional male and female models hand-picked by Chakkour. Within the pages of the hardback book, the artist will find the series of classical poses with several large images of the models shot from different angles around the horizontal plan which provides the artist with the opportunity to render and study the human form from various angles. However, Chakkour does not stop here; instead, he takes this multimedia package to the next level through the use of computer technology. On the CD-ROM, Chakkour combines several series of photographic images taken from fixed angle rotations around model in a multiple image overlay that allows the artist to rotate the model completely around the horizontal plane (as if the model were posing in the center of a theater in the round and the artist were able to elect to study or render the model from any front row seat around the model). In this manner the developing artist can render and study the anatomical composition and structure of the classically posed model from any vantage point around the horizontal plane. In addition, Chakkour has added a couple of rather nice finishing touches to his multimedia package including several inspirational musical scores which can be played in the background as one works as well as some of his own thoughts on the subject of art and the rendering of the human form. Virtual Pose is certainly a helpful tool for any artist working with the human figure; however, it is particularly suited for developing artists learning to render the human figure and an invaluable teaching supplement for instructors and their students in any human figure course. I only wish something like this was available throughout the many years this reviewer studied fine art and the human figure. I cannot help but believe that this multimedia package would have made a fine companion to the classic standard among artists "Anatomy for the Artist." It is certainly my hope that this innovative multimedia package is only the first in a series. Virtual Pose is without a doubt a wonderful tool for a developing artist of any skill level who would wish to render and study the human form.

I will try to address a couple of issues that seem to be popping up over and over. This book and CD has certainly stirred up some emotion. First, the author clearly states in his editorial review (please check above) how many poses it contains and the number of images and what not. This is an old issue which has been resolved, I think. Second, I think this book is not for everyone. And, my guess is that you will either love it or hate it, mainly because it is more than a mere reference for poses (there are plenty of books on the market that cover a whole range of the pose spectrum...) Artists refer to nudes images in reference books everyday. These books, (like the Pose File Collection, of which I own 6 books) are all grainy and do not show that much detail, let alone display the nudes in a large format. Yet, I use them all the time. Why? For the form and the anatomy. Also, whether the Pose Book collection, or others, from the sheer number of poses to the novelty of the approach, each seems to present a perspective that complements the others. Same with Virtual Pose. I don't think it should be thought of as a replacement, or a remedy...it's the first step in a whole new approach.So, taking what exists on the market solely from the photographic quality point of view (they all fall short in that department.)...now imagine these pictures rotating around the axis...allowing you to absorb a lot of information easier...now imagine Music and tutorials...now imagine a book that is meant to inspire one to draw. Now, imagine paying less for what you would pay for one class. Yes, it has only 18 poses (each pose offers 36 views, by the way) but, its potential to inspire and teach by "showing" sure makes up for it. And this issue of Zooming...Please...not relevant or necessary to a real artist looking at the pose. I am sure it would be a wonderful gimmick. But, I am sure that would have meant that the files would have needed to be a lot larger and the computational limits of one's system pushed to its limits. The tutorials are a great way to see "how it is done". So, here is who I recommend this book to: everyone who has never experienced the magic of a life drawing class. This will not only inspire you to draw, but will encourage you to actually join a class! It's the best gift you can bestow on an aspiring artist. To those simply looking for a collection of nothing-but-poses, I truly recommend you look elsewhere. This is a lyrical approach and an homage to the art of drawing the nude.

Really disappointed. I spent over the odds for this product. CD ROM wouldn't run on Windows 10 and I don't have the technical expertise to make it work. So I spent £20 on a book of slightly out-of-focus black and whites. Probably better resources on the internet these days. I would recommend looking elsewhere.