For all artists looking to master the daunting task of artistic anatomy, this book will prove to be indispensable. From art students to digital or traditional illustrators to fine artists it is my hopes that this book will be a lifelong companion as you learn to decipher Bridgman's brilliant-but often cryptic -drawings. This book was designed and forged from decades of teaching practical anatomy at Watts Atelier of the Arts in Encinitas, California. I found that all too often in my classes, that students would struggle greatly trying to decipher Bridgman's linear style of drawing.
We should keep in mind that the goal of artistic anatomy is not to recite all of the insertions, origins and functions into cold stoic drawings full of photographic accuracy while lacking soul. I offer you this alternative idea: Use your working knowledge of anatomy to confidently navigate the complexities of the surface bumps and undulations. This will allow you to create drawings with far superior design and aesthetics compared with what you are seeing. A formula I have used for decades postulates that the greatest drawing efforts comprise three parts: part what you see, part what you know, and part what you wish you saw.
Jeffrey R. Watts is a southern California native. Growing up in rural San Diego county with an artist father, Watts demonstrated an early aptitude for the visual arts. But it was competitive sports that held his interest as a teenager. After an injury cut short his budding career in professional cycling, Jeff turned his focus back to art, enrolling at the California Art Institute in Calabasas. Watts was soon asked to teach at the institute and began to work as an illustrator in the movie industry. However, Jeff's goal to become an easel painter would draw him back to San Diego where he started a small life drawing and painting studio known as Watts Atelier of the Arts. His Atelier allows him to work regularly from the live model, grounding his work in traditional principles. Jeff's work has been compared to that of Nicolai Fechin, an influence he is quick to acknowledge. "I never tire of looking at the work of Nicolai Fechin" Watts says, "his work is the perfect combination of control and chaos." In 2008 The Taos Art Museum and Fechin House honored Watts with a Solo Exhibition in the original Taos home and studio of Mr. Nicolai Fechin.Jeff's oil paintings have won numerous awards including First Place Portrait category and Second Place Landscape category from the Artist's Magazine, two consecutive Second Place Awards at the Salon International Exhibition, an Honor Award and an Award of Exceptional Merit from the Portrait Society of America, 3 Awards of Excellence from Oil Painters of America, a gold medal in the Master's Signature Division and 3 Top 100 Awards from Arts for the Parks among others. Watts is a regular participant in the prestigious Prix de West Invitational held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.Jeffrey R. Watts is a Master Signature member of Oil Painters of America, a Signature Member of both the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association and the California Art Club, and holds membership in the Portrait Society of America.
