This book from 1939 (of which I own a 1947 reprint) has the greater mission of reassuring the reader that the skill of drawing is not some mystical ability handed the fortunate few from birth. Luck or talent have little part to play when considering the study and practice of sound draftsmanship.
The author stresses the importance of studying the figure as a whole rather than concentrating too much on drawing individual parts on the page and hoping that they will come together to form an accurate representation of the figure (a typical mistake).

With over 200 pages dedicated to the study of the human form, the artist has broken down individual lessons into parts of the body (head, shoulders, legs, feet, ears, eyes, etc.) including the clothed figure, although once again he stresses that each person should be treated as an individual and that learning to draw a generic nose for instance won't help as much as learning how to really study your subject in detail and as a while. This is when the text becomes imperative, since the images on their own could provide the wrong message.
Also included are fifty pages on the lower animals (cats, dogs, horses); finishing with a bit on composition and a gallery of drawings by the world's great masters for inspiration.
The author stress throughout that this is a study aid is not a substitute for drawing from life.

I see nothing wrong with this book's teaching method, but have to admit that the real reason that I bought this book was for Arthur Zaidenberg's skillfully rendered Art Deco sketches which show such an understanding of the human form in simple unhesitant strokes that one cannot help but marvel each time I look at such fluid lines on the page. ( )