Best Human Figure Art Books of 2025

Wilson Cook Avatar
Wilson Cook
Last Updated: Apr 24, 2023

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Human figure art books are the perfect resource for artists looking to hone their skills in depicting the human form. These books offer a range of techniques and tips for drawing and painting the human figure, including anatomy, proportion, and shading. They also showcase various styles and approaches to figure drawing, from classical to contemporary. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, human figure art books are an invaluable tool for improving your craft and expanding your artistic repertoire. With a wide selection of titles available, there is sure to be a book that suits your individual needs and interests.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

30 Days Learning to Draw: 30-Day Drawing Checklist with Step By Step Instructions on How to Draw Different Subjects Such as Animals, Plants, Humans, ... (Daily Practice Guide Book for Beginners) Cover #TOP 1
30 Days Learning to Draw: 30-Day Drawing Checklist with Step By Step Instructions on How to Draw Different Subjects Such as Animals, Plants, Humans, ... (Daily Practice Guide Book for Beginners)
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 2) Cover #TOP 2
Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 2)
ftb score rating icon 9.7
How to Draw Anime (Includes Anime, Manga and Chibi) Part 1 Drawing Anime Faces Cover #TOP 3
How to Draw Anime (Includes Anime, Manga and Chibi) Part 1 Drawing Anime Faces
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Human Figure Art Books

30 Days Learning to Draw: 30-Day Drawing Checklist with Step By Step Instructions on How to Draw Different Subjects Such as Animals, Plants, Humans, ... (Daily Practice Guide Book for Beginners)

Barrett, Erik
May 2, 2022
30 Days Learning to Draw: 30-Day Drawing Checklist with Step By Step Instructions on How to Draw Different Subjects Such as Animals, Plants, Humans, ... (Daily Practice Guide Book for Beginners) Cover
30 Days Learning to Draw: 30-Day Drawing Checklist with Step By Step Instructions on How to Draw Different Subjects Such as Animals, Plants, Humans, ... (Daily Practice Guide Book for Beginners)

This book is a great guide for anyone who wants to improve their drawing skills. The 30-day schedule checklist provides a structured approach to daily practice and the step-by-step instructions make it easy to follow along. The book covers a range of subjects from animals to humans and provides practice sections to track progress. The illustrations are top-quality and easy to understand. This book is perfect for beginners who want to start drawing or for those who want to improve their skills. Overall, "30 Days Learning to Draw" is an excellent resource for aspiring artists.

Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 2)

Lauricella, Michel
Rocky Nook
Apr 1, 2019
Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 2) Cover
Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 2)

The book "Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists" by Michel Lauricella is a must-have for artists interested in drawing the human figure. The author simplifies the human body into basic shapes and forms, providing profound insight for artists of all levels. Rather than memorizing a repertoire of poses, Lauricella emphasizes learning a small collection of forms that can be combined and shaped into more complex postures. This pocket-sized book is helpful for artists in figure drawing, fine arts, fashion design, game design, comic book, or manga art. The exposed binding style is intentional and designed to help the book lay flat as you draw. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for artists looking to improve their observational abilities.

How to Draw Anime (Includes Anime, Manga and Chibi) Part 1 Drawing Anime Faces

Stevenson, Joseph
Golden Valley Press
Mar 26, 2020
How to Draw Anime (Includes Anime, Manga and Chibi) Part 1 Drawing Anime Faces Cover
How to Draw Anime (Includes Anime, Manga and Chibi) Part 1 Drawing Anime Faces

The book "How to Draw Anime" by Joseph Stevenson is the ultimate beginner's guide for every artist who wants to learn how to draw Anime faces. With age-appropriate details, easy-to-follow instructions, expressive and fun characters, and a large format for practice space, this book is perfect for kids, teens, and new artists. What sets this book apart from others is that it has modest characters and is not sexually focused like many other Anime and Manga books. Overall, this book is a great gift and a fun and easy escape for anyone who loves to draw Anime, Manga, and Chibi.

Artists’ Master Series: Color and Light

Publishing, 3dtotal
Apr 5, 2022
Artists’ Master Series: Color and Light Cover
Artists’ Master Series: Color and Light

The Artists' Masters Series: Color and Light is a new addition to the 3dtotal Publishing's impressive library of art and design books. The book offers a deep dive into the key areas of art theory, focusing on specific aspects that separate good and world-class design. The book features techniques from popular industry experts that help infuse characters with advanced levels of color and light. This book is perfect for artists and designers looking to enhance their skills and reach expert level. The detailed step-by-step tutorials, enlightening case studies, and awe-inspiring inspiration make this book a unique and invaluable resource in the genre of human figure art books.

#TOP 5

Drawing the Head and Hands

Loomis, Andrew
Titan Books
Oct 25, 2011
Drawing the Head and Hands Cover
Drawing the Head and Hands

The book "Drawing the Head and Hands" by Andrew Loomis is a masterpiece in human portraiture and figure drawing. The book is the second in Titan Books' series of facsimile editions, which have brought these classic titles back to print for the first time in decades. The book is an incredible resource for aspiring artists looking to improve their skills in drawing the human form. The original content and beautiful reproduction make it a joy to follow the instructions. Overall, this book is a must-have for any artist looking to improve their skills in figure drawing.

Anatomy for Artists: Drawing Form & Pose: The ultimate guide to drawing anatomy in perspective and pose with tomfoxdraws

Fox, Tom
Publishing, 3dtotal
Jun 7, 2022
Anatomy for Artists: Drawing Form & Pose: The ultimate guide to drawing anatomy in perspective and pose with tomfoxdraws Cover
Anatomy for Artists: Drawing Form & Pose: The ultimate guide to drawing anatomy in perspective and pose with tomfoxdraws

Anatomy for Artists: Drawing Form & Pose by Tom Fox is a comprehensive guide for artists of all skill levels to confidently draw the human form. The book covers essential elements and techniques, from understanding the XYZ axis and basic skeleton, to creating mannequins of all levels of detail. Tom presents step-by-step details on how to add muscles and depict believable poses, with easy-to-follow breakdowns of every part of the body. The author also shares game-changing anatomy tips, making this a must-have book for figure drawing. Overall, this guide is an outstanding resource for artists looking to improve their skills in drawing the human form.

#TOP 7

Drawing the Head and Hands & Figure Drawing (Box Set)

Loomis, Andrew
Titan Books
Nov 10, 2020
Drawing the Head and Hands & Figure Drawing (Box Set) Cover
Drawing the Head and Hands & Figure Drawing (Box Set)

Andrew Loomis' Drawing the Head and Hands & Figure Drawing (Box Set) is a must-have for anyone who wants to perfect their figure drawing skills. This box-set contains two of Loomis' most popular works and is the ultimate guide for drawing the human body. Loomis' books are packed with beautiful examples that help readers master anatomy and capture the human form in movement and at rest. The books have influenced popular artists long after Loomis' death, and this box set is perfect for students, amateur artists, and professionals alike. This box set is a valuable addition to any artist's library.

#TOP 8

Morpho: Clothing Folds and Creases: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho Anatomy for Artists, 8)

Lauricella, Michel
Feb 22, 2022
Morpho: Clothing Folds and Creases: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho Anatomy for Artists, 8) Cover
Morpho: Clothing Folds and Creases: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho Anatomy for Artists, 8)

The Morpho: Clothing Folds and Creases: Anatomy for Artists is a must-have guide for artists of all levels who want to learn how to realistically draw clothing. Michel Lauricella, an artist and teacher, provides a unique approach to learning by connecting the underlying anatomy to clothing and considering the body's posture and movement. The book is a great resource for anyone interested in art, animation, fashion, figure drawing, fine arts, game design, or creating comic book or manga art. The book features an "exposed" binding style, intentionally designed to help the book lay flat as you draw. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to improve their clothing drawing skills.

#TOP 9

Morpho: Hands and Feet: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 5)

Lauricella, Michele
Rocky Nook
Nov 12, 2019
Morpho: Hands and Feet: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 5) Cover
Morpho: Hands and Feet: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 5)

The Morpho: Hands and Feet: Anatomy for Artists is a must-have guide for all artists who draw the human figure. This book focuses on the hands and feet, arguably the most popular and challenging parts of the body to draw successfully. Michel Lauricella offers multiple approaches and a plethora of positions and gestures to help improve your drawing skills. The book is geared toward artists of all levels and is pocket-sized, making it easy to carry around for inspiration. The book's unique "exposed" binding style is intentional and designed to help the book lay flat as you draw. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for artists looking to improve their figure drawing skills.

#TOP 10

Morpho: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 1)

Lauricella, Michel
Rocky Nook
Jul 3, 2018
Morpho: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 1) Cover
Morpho: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 1)

The Morpho: Anatomy for Artists is an essential guide for artists of all levels who seek to improve their figure drawing skills. This book provides a systematic approach to drawing the human body, including bone structure, musculature, and anatomical detail. With over 1,000 illustrations, the book covers everything from the écorché to sketches of models in action. Whether you are interested in figure drawing, fine arts, fashion design, game design, or creating comic book or manga art, this book is filled with actionable insights that can help spark your imagination and creativity. Overall, this pocket-sized book is a must-have for any artist looking to improve their skills and knowledge of human anatomy.

Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is human figure drawing called?

A life drawing is a drawing of the human figure, traditionally nude, from observation of a live model.

2. What is human figure in art?

The human figure in art carries, in different ways and through different periods, a huge significance, being the most direct means by which art can address the human condition. In early societies its significance was supernatural, a rendering of gods or spirits in human form.

3. Is Morpho a good anatomy book?

In more than 1000 illustrations, the human body is shown from a new perspective—from bone structure to musculature, from anatomical detail to the body in motion. Morpho is a rich, fascinating, and helpful book that can go with you everywhere on your sketching journey.

Editor's Notes

During our human figure art book research, we found 1,200+ human figure art book products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 37,634 customer reviews through our big data system to write the human figure art books list. We found that most customers choose human figure art books with an average price of $15.94.

Written by
Wilson Cook Avatar

Wilson Cook is a talented writer who has an MFA in creative writing from Williams College and has published more than 50 books acquired by hundreds of thousands of people from various countries by now. He is an inveterate reading lover as he has read a vast amount of books since childhood.