The beauty of a Joy Thomas portrait is more than skin deep. Beyond capturing her sitters' features, she captures their mood and psychology. Likewise, The Art of Portrait Drawing is about more than the mere mechanics of drawing portraits. It will challenge you to look beyond the angle of a model's jaw or the color of her eyes, and evoke a sense of spirit in your drawings.

This is also the book Joy wishes someone had given her when she was first attempting to draw portraits. 'It would have certainly hastened my development and saved me from many years of 'reinventing the wheel.' Thoughtful, thorough and dedicated to the time-tested techniques of master portrait artists, Joy breaks it all down in a way that makes it possible for you to achieve striking likenesses in a classic, realistic style.

Lessons in Likenesses
Written as a primer for anyone with a real interest in portrait and figure drawing, this book introduces a variety of drawing materials, techniques and styles, and even provides a peek into the history of portraiture with examples of masterpieces from the past. It includes useful information about the human canon, gesture, basic proportions, values, blocking in and laying out, working with toned paper, drawing the head in profile, using a limited palette, and more.

Beyond art theory, Joy delves into the practicalities of portrait work--like how to go about finding a professional model (even how much you should expect to pay them)...advice for tackling commissioned portraits...studio set-up (complete with a do-it-yourself model stand to set your subject at just the right height)...and how best to overcome the intimidation of simply starting your portrait drawing.

Learn the Essentials
Explore lighting possibilities, proportion and design, how to set the pose, and more'.including study of values, 'Gestalt' thinking, negative space, and working with your drawing materials.

Develop Your Skills, Your Confidence and Your Portraits!
Starting on page 60, a series of nine step-by-step projects put the lessons into play. This is where you begin to internalize and build upon the concepts covered in earlier chapters:
* Seasoned advice on posing and lighting your subject.
* Tips on working with live models, whether family, friends or professionals.
* Basic methods of measuring, which are absolutely imperative in portraiture.
* The 'envelope method,' and other classic composition strategies.
* Instruction in various mediums'graphite, charcoal, pastels, ink'including how to use a three-color technique.

Projects feature a range of models in a variety of mediums'-men and women of different ages and complexions. Many of the step-photos show the model in the background, offering a fascinating comparison between drawing and subject.

A Passion for Portraits
In The Art of Portrait Drawing, Joy manages to strip away all the mystery but none of the magic of portraiture. By the end of the book, you'll feel able and excited to work from a live model, draw a face in profile, create cherished portraits of your family and friends, and maybe even accept a commission...challenges that you never dreamed would be within your reach!