Andrew Loomis Books: Art Students' Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the books are out-of-print?

What if I can't find or afford a Loomis book?

How can I get drawing help right now?

Can you learn to draw from books?

Who likes Loomis Books?

Answers. How to draw the head? How to get expression? How to line up figures in a landscape? How to make drawings more realistic?

No other author seems to cover as many practical drawing tips so thoroughly, nor integrates important topics such as perspective and anatomy so well.

Loomis, 1892 - 1959, was a commercial illustrator and teacher. He was a student of George Bridgman.

Title / Date		Best for
Fun With a Pencil find	1939	Aspiring cartoonists
Figure Drawing for All It's Worth REPRINTED	1943	Essential
Creative Illustration find	1947	Beyond the basics to turn you into a pro
Successful Drawing	1951
Drawing the Head and Hands pre-order reprint from bn.com; from Northlight	1956	Essential
Three-Dimensional Drawing (revised Successful Drawing)	1958
The Eye of the Painter and the Elements of Beauty	1961
Figures in Action (reprints of Loomis drawings) in print	1989	Helpful for practice
Heads/2 in print	1989	Helpful for practice

Many of the books were translated into other languages as well.

They are out-of-print and rare. Check libraries in your region, or find the books from online sellers in our book section.

We don't know for sure. Certainly there are aspects of the books that are anachronistic: career advice for illustration careers that no long longer exist in the same form, no diversity among the models illustrated, idealized, and cheesecakey, proportions.

But the practical help can't be beat.

There are many additional resources to help you draw confidently and realistically. Start with Great Art Books Under $10.

Check out our Tips. And keep drawing!

Yes and no -- you learn from practicing -- but imagine life without teachers and advisors to encourage you and get you to say, "Ah! Now I get it!"

Great art books are like wonderful teachers available on-demand.

Working artists in the know. Animators, 3-D, and comic book artists. Artists who paint and draw people proficiently. Any artist who wants the ability to make realistic images.

If you have ever felt the art "establishment" and academic institutions have given realism short shrift, fight back by drawing well!