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Summary: Better for Intermediate Skills
Review: I recently took an illustration class that required 4 (yes, four, and ridiculously expensive..) textbooks, and this was one of them. I had already bought this book after checking out the first (1980s edition) from the library, but never really used it. Since I had to buy all those books, and am a beginner, I realized more the pros and misgivings of this book.

My main complaint, and one major reason why I never felt "into" this book is that the croquis you are learning from is shown mainly from the side view. Most people don't draw directly head on, but I think it's a lot easier to remember proportions if you practice them from the front view. The book illustrates the relation of the parts to each other from the front view, but then you draw the full figure from the side view! Also, the figures are already stylized, which is nice, but not if you don't know how to draw a really good basic figure yet! It just doesn't make sense to practice a figure who's 3/4 turned, legs crossed and arms in different position without a solid foundation first.

This book is probably best for refining your illustration skills, because Bina Abling does it so well. The figure is very feminine and fluid. It's also great reference for rendering and types of clothing. But I really didn't learn much from using this as a beginner, I just found myself more frustrated. However, I will keep it to use when I develop my skills further. So if you have it, keep it. If you can borrow it from a local or college library, that's better than buying it first.

Better Beginner Books:

I like Stephen Stipelman's Illustrating Fashion: Concept to Creation (3rd Edition)book better for beginning, because it's a front view, and if you mark the lines straight across a large piece of paper, after lots of practice you eventually "know" how long the figure should look for each body part.

Another great beginner's book is by Bill Thames Drawing Fashion, but you'll have to buy it used because it's out of print. It's outdated (1985) style-wise, but it's the best step-by-step book I've encountered. He also offers one great tip that none of the other books mentioned: draw on a raised/tilted NOT flat surface! Can't tell you how much easier it is to see what you're doing. All my regular art classes drew with the board propped against a drawing horse, or on an easel, so I wonder why it's not more common for fashion illustration! Also, he shows you how to draw the figure in proportion to your paper!

Another good beginner's reference is by Gustavo Fernandez Illustration for Fashion Design: Twelve Steps to the Fashion Figure because the way he instructs on how to turn the figure for each part of the body is easy, and it comes with a DVD instructional! But like Bina Abling's book, it shows you how to draw from the side first. Again, you probably won't be drawing from the front most of the time, but I think it's easier to start out that way.

I was really frustrated that my instructor required so many books, but she must've been frustrated because she couldn't find a 'perfect' one! If you're able to, borrow as many different fashion drawing books you can, you'll be surprised at the content, info, similarities/differences and how little things make it better/worse. And don't give up!
Date: 2010-06-26
Rating: 3
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Summary: Great except for...
Review: This book seems like a great resource for artists of all skill levels, but for a book this expensive I expected better quality paper. It's printed on plain white paper that's thinnner than computer paper. There are only 12 glossy pages printed in color and that's Chapter 10: Color Rendering, the rest is all in black and white on this cheap paper. I guess maybe my expectations were too high, I'd still recommend it, just be warned.
Date: 2010-06-17
Rating: 4
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Summary: Helpful
Review: I am studying Fashion Illustration at the moment and my lecturer recommend this book. I find it really useful for the in between classes. It's easy to read and not only does it help you with your drawing skills, but it also guides you through the different types of medium for certain effects.
Date: 2010-06-10
Rating: 5
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Summary: wonderful Book
Review: I've always enjoyed this Author/Artist, and getting this expanded edition was a real treat.
I highly recommend it!
Date: 2009-10-11
Rating: 5
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Summary: easy, amazing
Review: This is been the best buy of this year for me, I learned so much, and it really helped me.
It's perfect for those who are learning to sketch.
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT
Date: 2009-07-11
Rating: 5