--- product_id: 35521120 title: "Basic Human Anatomy: An Essential Visual Guide for Artists" price: "£39.36" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/35521120-basic-human-anatomy-an-essential-visual-guide-for-artists store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Basic Human Anatomy: An Essential Visual Guide for Artists **Price:** £39.36 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Basic Human Anatomy: An Essential Visual Guide for Artists - **How much does it cost?** £39.36 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/35521120-basic-human-anatomy-an-essential-visual-guide-for-artists) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Basic Human Anatomy teaches artists the simple yet powerful formula artists have used for centuries to draw the human figure from the inside out A comprehensive, yet flexible and holistic approach to the human body for artists, Roberto Osti’s method of teaching anatomy is exhaustive, but never loses sight of the fact that this understanding should lead to the creation of art. Basic Human Anatomy teaches artists the simple yet powerful formula artists have used for centuries to draw the human figure from the inside out. Osti, using the basic system of line, shape, and form used by da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo, takes readers step-by-step through all the lessons needed in order to master this essential foundation skill. Organized progressively, the book shows readers how to replicate the underlying structure of the body using easy-to-understand scales and ratios; conceptualize the front and side views of the skeleton with basic shapes; add detail with simplified depictions of complex bones and joints; draw a muscle map of the body with volumetric form and realistic dimension; master the feet, hands, and skull to create realistic renderings of the human form; and apply a deeper knowledge of anatomy to finished drawings for more impact. Review: I have poured over countless texts throughout the years with the goal of better understanding the human form - Roberto Osti's Basic Human Anatomy has been an invaluable addition to my library of texts devoted to the study of the human form. As an artist and student, I have poured over countless texts throughout the years with the goal of better understanding the human form. As an educator (I teach figure painting, drawing, and anatomy at Laguna College of Art and Design) I have sought out the most useful methods for teaching artistic anatomy. In my search, I have found few books that exhibit the level of quality exhibited in Osti's Basic Human Anatomy. I believe that Osti has a place among the great names in anatomy education: Robert Beverly Hale, Gottfried Bammes, George Bridgman, Dr. Paul Richer, Elliot Goldfinger, to name a few. As a student at the New York Academy of Art I had the good fortune to attend Osti's anatomy lectures and drawing class. To watch Osti make life-size drawings of the human anatomy while simultaneously delivering his lecture was an incredible experience. All artists should have the opportunity to witness this master in action. Thankfully, he has given us this wonderful text. It has already proved an invaluable addition to my classes. The book is full of Osti's beautiful depictions of the human form. These masterful drawings alone are worth the price of the book. However, what I find even more valuable is the way that the book is organized. It takes a dense, often daunting subject and leads you through it in a series of easily understood steps. Beginning with the stereometric conception of the body and the structural conception of the skeleton, to the origins and insertions of the muscles, all the way to a discussion of the drawing techniques necessary to implement this knowledge, Osti's book is truly comprehensive. Two of my favorite aspects of this book are 1. his diagrams on transforming the schematic volumes of the figure into organic forms and 2. his anatomical drawings indicating the muscles on one side and their specific points of origin and insertion on the other. This book will not only be useful to the novice looking to begin their journey toward understanding the human form, but also to the advanced draftsman looking to augment his or her skill set. Review: Amazing anatomy book - This book was recommended by a professional comic artist when someone asked for good anatomy references. This book is utterly wonderful. It starts with the basics (stereometric human forms) and gives several ways to conceptualize the form, from broad shapes and planes to relational measurements. It then gets more complex, and goes over bones, then muscles, then breaks into individual body sections. Each section has multiple exercises, and the center of the book is a series of beautifully rendered anatomy drawings. They're exceptionally well done, impressing both the art teacher I showed the book to and my doctor friend, who was very pleased at how the radius is shown repeated in "twist," which is how it sits most often. The poses often look more natural than you'd see in a basic anatomy chart. It's worth every penny, even for a hobbiest like myself. It really helps me when I'm looking at a reference but want to change something, making the body larger or smaller, changing an angle, etc. It also helps me conceptualize why a body part might not look right in a sketch. Absolutely adore this book. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #217,825 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #89 in Human Figure Art (Books) #194 in Arts & Photography Study & Teaching #233 in Anatomy (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 601 Reviews | ## Images ![Basic Human Anatomy: An Essential Visual Guide for Artists - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71v6E16ft1L.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have poured over countless texts throughout the years with the goal of better understanding the human form *by R***S on November 7, 2016* Roberto Osti's Basic Human Anatomy has been an invaluable addition to my library of texts devoted to the study of the human form. As an artist and student, I have poured over countless texts throughout the years with the goal of better understanding the human form. As an educator (I teach figure painting, drawing, and anatomy at Laguna College of Art and Design) I have sought out the most useful methods for teaching artistic anatomy. In my search, I have found few books that exhibit the level of quality exhibited in Osti's Basic Human Anatomy. I believe that Osti has a place among the great names in anatomy education: Robert Beverly Hale, Gottfried Bammes, George Bridgman, Dr. Paul Richer, Elliot Goldfinger, to name a few. As a student at the New York Academy of Art I had the good fortune to attend Osti's anatomy lectures and drawing class. To watch Osti make life-size drawings of the human anatomy while simultaneously delivering his lecture was an incredible experience. All artists should have the opportunity to witness this master in action. Thankfully, he has given us this wonderful text. It has already proved an invaluable addition to my classes. The book is full of Osti's beautiful depictions of the human form. These masterful drawings alone are worth the price of the book. However, what I find even more valuable is the way that the book is organized. It takes a dense, often daunting subject and leads you through it in a series of easily understood steps. Beginning with the stereometric conception of the body and the structural conception of the skeleton, to the origins and insertions of the muscles, all the way to a discussion of the drawing techniques necessary to implement this knowledge, Osti's book is truly comprehensive. Two of my favorite aspects of this book are 1. his diagrams on transforming the schematic volumes of the figure into organic forms and 2. his anatomical drawings indicating the muscles on one side and their specific points of origin and insertion on the other. This book will not only be useful to the novice looking to begin their journey toward understanding the human form, but also to the advanced draftsman looking to augment his or her skill set. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing anatomy book *by A***A on December 22, 2024* This book was recommended by a professional comic artist when someone asked for good anatomy references. This book is utterly wonderful. It starts with the basics (stereometric human forms) and gives several ways to conceptualize the form, from broad shapes and planes to relational measurements. It then gets more complex, and goes over bones, then muscles, then breaks into individual body sections. Each section has multiple exercises, and the center of the book is a series of beautifully rendered anatomy drawings. They're exceptionally well done, impressing both the art teacher I showed the book to and my doctor friend, who was very pleased at how the radius is shown repeated in "twist," which is how it sits most often. The poses often look more natural than you'd see in a basic anatomy chart. It's worth every penny, even for a hobbiest like myself. It really helps me when I'm looking at a reference but want to change something, making the body larger or smaller, changing an angle, etc. It also helps me conceptualize why a body part might not look right in a sketch. Absolutely adore this book. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If there's only one antomy book *by A***D on May 6, 2023* Starting by stating the obvious, you can't have only a single anatomy for artists book. However, this one is great for beginners and intermediate levels. With all the great anatomy books out there, either classical or contemporary, if I were to be asked to choose only a single anatomy book to keep, this would be it. Hands down! This is one of the most valuable drawing books among my collection. Roberto Osti takes on a very complicated topic in figure drawing, which is anatomy, a topic that is so important, yet dreaded by novice and experienced artists alike, and explains it in a very clear and artistic way, which makes it an enjoyable read. The size of the book (8.5x10.5 inches), the clarity and quality of the diagrams, the logical progression of adding in complexity and details, makes this a great study companion and reference. You are really in good hands with an elegant artist who started by being a professional medical illustrator. He clearly understands what is sufficient for artists to know for a successful figurative drawing. Finally, the last chapter of this book, Osti dedicates it to sharing important drawing techniques on light and form, tonal drawing and foreshortening, among other important aspects of figure drawing. This is one among the most valuable drawing books in my library, period. Finally, if there's one important improvement for this book it would be to enhance the Index. It is quite laking, you can't even search for a term such as "Deltoid" using the index! ## Frequently Bought Together - Basic Human Anatomy: An Essential Visual Guide for Artists - Dynamic Human Anatomy: An Artist's Guide to Structure, Gesture, and the Figure in Motion - Morpho: Simplified Forms: Anatomy for Artists (Morpho: Anatomy for Artists, 2) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/35521120-basic-human-anatomy-an-essential-visual-guide-for-artists](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/35521120-basic-human-anatomy-an-essential-visual-guide-for-artists) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-05-26*