Drawing the Head and Hands

Drawing the Head and Hands is a digital PDF edition of Andrew Loomis’s classic guide to drawing the human head and hands. This download gives you instant access to the complete 141-page volume, with instructional plates and practical guidance for artists.

Loomis presents a direct construction method, beginning with the head as a flattened ball and building the face from simple planes. The book emphasizes accurate proportions, anatomy, and observation rather than copying surface details.

Book Overview

Drawing the Head and Hands is an art instruction book by Andrew Loomis, published by The Viking Press in New York. The book guides readers through the underlying structure of the skull, the muscles of the face, and the construction of the hands.

The material is organized around a series of plates covering everything from basic head construction and facial expression to the proportions of babies, children, teenagers, and adult heads. A final section focuses on drawing hands, including anatomy, block forms, proportions, and foreshortening.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• A simple ball-and-plane method for constructing the head from any angle.
• The anatomy of the skull and facial muscles and how they affect surface form.
• Proportions and construction for male and female heads, babies, children, and teenagers.
• Guidance on expressions, characterization, and the aging process.
• A full section on drawing hands, from anatomy and block forms to foreshortening and action.

Why Drawing the Head and Hands Matters

Loomis’s approach is built on the idea that an artist must understand the structure beneath the surface. He emphasizes the fixed position of the skull and the mobile flesh over it, giving readers a reliable framework for drawing any type of face.

The method in this book avoids mechanical copying and encourages direct, creative drawing. It has been widely used in schools and by working artists as a practical foundation for portraiture and figure drawing.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download, so no physical item will be shipped. Access is available immediately after purchase, and the PDF can be opened on desktops, laptops, tablets, and phones.

It works with appropriate Kindle apps, PDF readers, and other compatible reading software. You can also transfer the file to supported e-readers or tablet apps for convenient study.

FAQ

How do I receive this book?
After purchase, you will have instant download access to the PDF file.

Will a physical copy be shipped?
No. This is a digital product only, and no printed book will be sent.

What devices can I use?
The PDF can be viewed on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices with a PDF reader or compatible Kindle app.

Add this classic drawing guide to your digital library and work through the plates at your own pace.