How to study

[Kweckduck]

It seems a bit silly to start a thread for just a small question, but I'd love to know this community's opinion on the following matter:

I've been studying from several anatomy books and most of them have their own ways of building up the body. For example Loomis vs. Bridgeman vs. Bammes book, they all have their own system based on the same principle.
As a student of their work I feel I should adopt their system of building of the body so that I can better follow their way of thinking, but it also feels like I am taking a step backward every time I've finished one book and start on the next.

So what is your opinion? Will I reap greater progress/understanding of anatomy by trying out many different systems or by sticking to one and deepening my understanding of that one system?

[Lady Medusa]

I'd say you should try to adapt them to yourself.
Find a way to incorporate what you have learned to what you find most comfortable.

[TinyBird]

Well, you could mix them depending what gives you the best results. And remember to test how those ways translate into drawing from real life and from imagination.

[Kweckduck]

I was afraid of that. I guess I was thinking along the same lines, but was torn between moving forward with anatomy versus being stuck on glorified stickfigures.

Mixing means I need to go with their system all the way at least for a while so I can figure out what works for me and what doesn't and why it does or doesn't, how that relates to the actual anatomy etc. etc.
It feels like I'm just treading water instead of learning to swim.

[arenhaus]

You can always use their explanations to find out what they thought was important, and then do your own research from medical anatomy texts.

[Kweckduck]

Has text ever really been helpful to anyone? I need the visuals, I usually skim over the texts.

[Oräli]

Maybe that's why you think you're taking a step backwards, I think that is important to read the text, because he can explain some stuff that the figure can't.

[Elwell]

I've been studying from several anatomy books and most of them have their own ways of building up the body. For example Loomis vs. Bridgeman vs. Bammes book, they all have their own system based on the same principle.

As a beginner you notice the differences. What's important are the similarities.

[Slothboy3000]

Has text ever really been helpful to anyone? I need the visuals, I usually skim over the texts.

Well there's your problem!

[Aaron_]

Has text ever really been helpful to anyone? I need the visuals, I usually skim over the texts.

Well, the short answer is, definitely YES!

[arenhaus]

Has text ever really been helpful to anyone? I need the visuals, I usually skim over the texts.

You cannot understand the visuals without the text. If you ignore the text, you are just aping the pictures.

[Elwell]

Bridgman's text is hit or miss, and I've heard that Bammes' German is pretty hard to get through even for native speakers, but Loomis is an excellent writer. I'd go as far as to say that, if you had to pick only one, you'd lean more from the text without the pictures than vice versa.

[Arshes Nei]

Not only do I encourage reading. I encourage taking notes.

[JeffX99]

Not only do I encourage reading. I encourage taking notes.

Absolutely - great advice. Keep a stack of index cards handy and jot down what you feel are key, pertinent notes and quotes. Keep these handy as you draw. I've gone so far as to print out a thin strip of the seven main things I want to keep in mind while I paint and taped it to the front of my pochade palette....they are right there...all the time. It helps.

Edit: By the way...on how to study? From life. Every one of those guys, when you read the text, advises that studying from life is the key.

[olivialowrie]

I like being a master of one technique, but one of my art professors told me that sometimes a combination of 2 techniques makes one create his/her own personal technique. Go for what appeals to your taste.