... The purpose of this book is to approach the problem of figure drawing in such a way as to give the student something he can understand and remember. It goes without saying that nothing will ever take the place of practice, provided the practice is in the right direction and in earnest. The art student should strive to have endless patience and be doggedly persistent. If things don't go well in a given practice session, he should know that the best of artists have had many such sessions. But, the remarkable thing about going through a disheartening session is that the student is very often on the threshold of marvelous discovery.

Carlyle said, "Every noble work is at first impossible." Many students, however, unwittingly prolong the travel time between the impossible and the possible. It is hoped that by the simplified approaches in this book the sincere student will see that good figure drawing is not impossible. The pencil, pen, or brush are not magic wands to be waved over the paper but are richly satisfying and rewarding instruments when perseveringly applied to a challenging piece of white paper.