Figure Sculpting Volume 1: Planes and Construction Techniques in Clay Hardcover – January 1, 2013

A really fine book loaded with striking, professional photos of the author's works. It is indispensable for the beginning sculptor. It is full of lessons/tips for practicing sculpting all parts of the body. It is expensive but well worth the price. I bought a used one which cut the pain a bit.

I work in clay and needed an anatomy book for detail. This book in hardback will survive multiple page openings. Over 200 pages cover body part details. Great detail in this Vol 1 book. What this book lacks is more aging, untoned, and fat figures.

I am a figurative and portrait sculptor. I often use a model and review anatomy books. In addition, I have studied several portrait sculpting books authored by other masters. However, there is no other books that compare to this book. This book is a must have for figure sculptors at any level. It is understandable, comprehensive, masterful and sets forth exceptional detail to enable an artist to learn and see how to create beauty in sculpture. There is no other book comparable in the market.

Philippe Faraut is a master at what he does. This books demonstrates his skills and is very educational on the human anatomy and how to sculpt it. I enjoy that this book teaches your about the entire process from the beginning right to the end. Some sculptural books show you they make a sculpture but not how they finish it. Such as getting it off the armature, and putting it back to together. The book is very well illustrated and I would recommend it to any one interested in sculpting the human figure in clay.

I cannot recommend this book more--if you want to sculpt, if you want to sculpt figures: don't hesitate. As others have mentioned, it's also a book so beautiful that you could display it as a coffee table keeper.

Philippe Faraut shows again why he is a Master. Detailed photos, clear descriptions, step by step processes. The book could not be better. It's one of the biggest treasures of my library. I only missed Charise' s and Philippe' s signatures on the book's first page, as they did in the first sculpting book I purchased, some years ago.

Best instruction book I own, and I own em all. He has another for portraits I believe. It is also, fabulous. If you want to learn to sculpt in clay, or just look at your own skill level with a different set of eyes... this book is for you.

A new classic. Full of insight and beautiful to look at. Worthy of finding a place next to your books by Lanteri and Bruno Lucchesi. Even if you are primarily a 2-D artist, doing some sculpture will help your figures and this is a good start.