Understanding Bridgman Drawings with Jeff Watts

Bridgman figure drawings are simplified, but also incredibly complex, and trying to understand how he approaches anatomy can be frustrating for artists. My old teacher, Jeff Watts, recently authored a book where he breaks down Bridgman’s work in a way that’s accessible for students. In this video you’ll get a sneak preview of the book: Watts on Bridgman with some of Jeff’s Drawings and a demo of his techniques from the Bridgman book and course.
Get the book here: www.leucadiapublishing.com/br...
Find it on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/0990373517
And if you want to sign up for Jeff’s Bridgman course, go here! www.wattsatelier.com/shop/bri...
Related Links:
500 Figure Drawings Judged by Jeff Watts (Prokochallenge) - • 500 Figure Drawings Ju...
#figuredrawing #jeffwatts #anatomyart
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ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
Credits
Artist | Instructor - Jeff Watts (www.wattsatelier.com)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokopenko.com),
Editing - Dzmitry Tsydzik, Sean Ramsey (www.peoplewhodrawstuff.com)
Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra
Jingle Jazz by Quantum Jazz is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 International License.
Orbiting A Distant Planet by Quantum Jazz is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 International License.

[@ProkoTV]

Grab Jeff’s book here - www.leucadiapublishing.com/

[@KiX-K4T13]

Hey, Stan! (Or whomever I am speaking.) Mr. Watts here is actually the guy who taught you, right? I remember from the podcast how you were saying you even taught at the Watts Atelier, at one point. Brilliant stuff. He really cares about this stuff!

[@Enhancedlies]

Hi, its unavailable in the UK, is that an amazon issue or is this limited to the American market?

[@timblass4811]

Shame it's not available in the UK. Hope that changes soon!

[@carlosroo5460]

Jeff said something about preventing injury, but what do you do when you are already injury and you have to wait for treatment and therapy? And even after that can you exercise yourself to strength and prevent future injury?

[@jeffhreid]

@@carlosroo5460 stretches and light resistance work great for many injuries. Check with your doctor or physical therapist

[@marcobucci]

“It’s impossible to design what you don’t know,” is one of those simple (yet not obvious) art truths. Jeff is great.

[@pachanauta7083]

its called invention, something that has not been seen yet until the act of invention

[@pachanauta7083]

but yes, difficult to see what does not exist in reality

[@iyaok3982]

@@pachanauta7083 but with knowledge and some imagination, you can create fiction characters, but need strong foundation like one of these anatomycal structure

[@LoveHope-mi4lx]

This goes with knowledge overall You don’t know what you don’t know

[@Murimz]

​​@@pachanauta7083well if you "invent" anatomically incorrect features on your paper, people will simply say itd wrong.

[@Gusbastia_art]

"it´s not a stupid person´s profession, it´s for brilliant minds that love challenges" i really needed to hear that, amazing video.

[@deebonash4487]

Watts is a living Legend. His approach is master level. He is so humble yet his hands create drawings at a SCARY LEVEL lol thanks Watts and Proko!!

[@jeffhreid]

Bridgeman is a jazz riff, Jeff is a clinic that breaks down the piece so we can approach and appreciate the source. This is great

[@gabeslist]

Dude in 4 minutes I feel like something that took me years to understand about drawing things was explained in the easiest, most understandable way possible.

[@ishheredia9626]

Stan, Jeff was your teacher right? The man seems like such a beast of an instructor

[@austinpholt]

He is. I reccomend his online school

[@ProkoTV]

Yup! I studied at Watts Atelier for about 5 years and then taught there for 5 more.

[@sunilnarine6313]

Yes he is................I am learning from him online school..........I can guarentee you, you will get good.

[@riccia888]

@@austinpholt his online school is like a joke. nothing beats the actual brick and mortar school

[@austinpholt]

@@riccia888 well, not everyone can afford to uproot their life to San Diego and study full time in one of the most expensive places in United States. So for what you get that's not a bad deal.

[@jeffhreid]

Jeff’s comments in the last two minutes are profound and well taken. Thanks Jeff looking forward to the book

[@Zarzak]

Could not agree more. That's some very powerful wisdom and humility on display. This whole talk was incredible. Thanks so much to the crew behind this. Great bit of wisdom to have here on the internet for free! :D

[@hunkykitty]

Super pumped for this. Jeff has been talking about doing this for years, cannot wait to see this project.

[@pawangurjar9173]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this video in my art journey. He's so passionate about art. I start my art journey from HALFWAY across the world. Just aiming for better aesthetic sensitivity, a better understanding of the human body. I had stumbled across anatomy on very different occasions in my life, always found myself more curious, simulated to know more, to be more in control of the design, to know more of the underlying process. This video really hit it home (the desire to engage in anatomy studies). On a personal note, it is coming to me at such a time in life, that watts' words had a really profound impact , props to him for being such a wordsmith too. In short I'm enchanted, I'm hooked, I'm elated. It's so easy to miss such info dense sources on your learning journey, I declare this one the best and I'm starting on my learning journey without missing a beat. Thank you Teacher!!!

[@Raw799]

I watch this lesson every month or so. I grounds and focuses me to the kind of art I aspire. Thank you again and again.

[@chiptenor]

Wonderful presentation, Jeff, about Bridgman and your specialized approach to his work. You're all about 'excellence', and the many that follow you know that. It comes through your long artistic career, your intelligence to communicate, and your sheer 'passion' for art. Thank you and your atelier for all that you share with the artistic community.

[@SebastianTinajero]

Jeff’s passion and love for the craft alone is inspiring

[@APG2112]

Woah! Im a few months behind on art educational videos. That said, I’m not surprised to see three of my favorite art instructors in one video. Jeff Watts,Stan Prokopenko and Marco Bucci, thank you for making us all better artists🙏🏻

[@hunmiliengtipi9218]

Such an educational and heartwarming video, thanks very much Stan and Jeff!

[@FreedomEscapismASMR]

Beautiful art. I have one of Jeff's books, and the line work is really Beautiful. Stan creates Beautiful art too. Jeff is the art teacher who takes our art to the next level and higher. Thank you

[@six9058]

love this teacher so much what the hell idk how to explain it but the way he teaches these ideas to you is like enough to fill you in but not enough to overwhelm you it inspired you and its just like so wild cuz ive never stayed this focused in a art tutorial before i wish i could attend his classes not only is he teaching you about the theme of this video hes also giving tips on how to learn it, and tips to help you not mess up and the way he talks is very light hearted with the jokes he cracks

[@ILoveCiniminis]

This is legit interesting beautiful lecture as in school free on KZbin, wow. Thanks Jeff

[@jeffhreid]

Will definitely be getting Jeff’s book. Wicked cool!

[@jeffhreid]

Jeff is a firehouse of artistic information! Great stuff!

[@a.a.v.8219]

Jeff is just badass. You get some incredible wisdom on top of artistic instruction. I very much recommend the drawing program online!

[@jmmacb03]

Yay, Jeff! I have been waiting for this book for years. What a labour of love. Thanks. I hope you "set your intention" and do a Reilly Rhythm book before I pass out of the picture. I actually didn't find Bridgman too cryptic but, I think that is due to my advanced yrs when we were _taught every subject w/white chalk so, I bought every book I could!_ Cheers, from Toronto.

[@zacharycieszinski5465]

Thanks for sharing, when I'm ready to dive deeper into anatomy i will check this out

[@blastradius9136]

I love this man's attitude about drawing and drawing phenomenally and accurate. The fact that he referenced Gary Gianni was cool. His late brother Tom was also excellent and he was my Illustration teacher back in the day.

[@frank4245]

Thanks for the update! Very informative!!!...

[@fidgetlover3606]

This is the video I've been searching for my whole life😀😀

[@timothyosullivan6079]

awesome guy and demo. thankyou Jeff and Proko.

[@tiktokloe]

The ENERGY Jeff has !! Goddamnit sooooooo refreshing!!

[@zhetras1850]

i instantly bought it , i already knew watts atelier but still thanks proko togive artists the media space they deserve

[@aristaeus585]

I'm literally in the middle of doing a Bridgman mastercopy, your channel is a godsend!!

[@bilalhussein9730]

Copy a Michelangelo drawing instead

[@emabatista7153]

This is great I've been looking for something like this

[@tabaldak5184]

I appreciate your time maestro!!!

[@LanderGraphics]

Just placed the book on my Christmas wish list! Can't wait.

[@KiX-K4T13]

Me too. I bought The Anatomy and Figure Drawing Course by Proko. And you know what? It's really helped me so far! I keep going back to earlier lessons and I glean more to apply to my personal art. I'm only on Landmarks of the Body. I am so serious about art anymore. It's all I want to do.

[@robertoromero4597]

Currently a Watts Online student! Jeff Watts is a Sage! Looking forward to attending the Atelier when my skills are worthy of being mentored

[@kashmiriartisan5818]

I love your work and respect your Art

[@Germania9]

Obi-Wan & Anakin Ip Man & Bruce Lee Marco Pierre White & Gordon Ramsay Jeff Watts & Stan Prokopenko *Behind every legend, there is a master.*

[@lisafred1362]

Okay Jeff, you have convinced me. You ARE better at drawing than Bridgman. Love you Proko for bringing these great artists to your channel.

[@emmanuelperaltapaintings6371]

Very informative.🔥 Thank you so much!❤

[@devinroberts-short4497]

This looks awesome!!

[@derekmoore1387]

Jeff is so rad. Sidenote, I love that he has grown his hair out.

[@polymorphicblacksteve5038]

This actually was helpful I had a realization for things like insertion points

[@qwertyuiop-ke7fs]

just got the book, im looking forward to it

[@sesmcawameqi]

The man has a great mind 🙏

[@joelsbowlsarejoelsgoals9636]

12:42 Cotton eye joe Thank you for your time teaching us!

[@azralan618]

I just ordered Constructive Anatomy this morning. Just... how do you do that?!? So often you just have the perfect timing, it's incredible!

[@neighbourinblack]

Fantastic. Just bought the Hardcover. Will probably buy the softcover as well as the actual work through book and the Hardcover for collectability purposes. :D

[@karlphilippefournier4123]

I'm stunned!

[@uncleatelier8495]

As expected, you are really amazing.~~~~♡★☆♡♥♥

[@vartanarakelian4643]

Thanks!

[@tabaldak5184]

Now I have to watch this again because I have a terrible habit of sketching when I should be watching! 😂😂

[@wissamart]

Creative professor👍👍👍❤

[@jeffhreid]

Just got Jeff’s book. It is good. I recommend it to enhance the value of Bridgman. Please note the page references to the Bridgman book don’t match the 5th printing that is currently out. It is not hard to find the right page and Mark it in Jeff’s book.

[@alexandertseng1778]

It was super helpful

[@miscellaneous7777]

Know, see, think and draw a lot! Great remark, can’t draw something that you don’t know.

[@tonyb1984]

They will be studying J.R.W. well after he's gone. Beyond grateful for all the knowledge I've gained from him and the love and commitment he's had to give back to anyone that's willing to learn. You can hear and see the passion 100% of the time and it (should) gives you the confidence and the motivation to become your best. Just look at all of the remarkable talent that has come from studying under Mr. Watts. Had I lived on the West Coast, let alone the San Diego area, I would've done everything in my power to be a student at Watts Atelier of the Arts. I'm quite certain anyone who's taken the online courses and even watch his videos on KZbin feel the exact same way. I have Stan to thank for finding Mr. Watts, Erik and the other great instructors at W.A. to begin with 🙏🏻 You have a lifetime of support from me❤️🎨🖌️🖼️

[@samankucher5117]

This guy is awesome ❤☀️🍀

[@SergeantObstsalat]

It seems like Amazon doesn't ship the book to germany. Is there a specific reason for this and will this change? I would really like to buy it.

[@LimunArtdP]

Very good master

[@natureworldarts2644]

Good, informative

[@trotterhorsewatsonjr.6668]

Love Bridgeman and yet very difficult to comprehend

[@tanyapineda7212]

This is so extraordinary, thank you! Wow, brilliant book format. I can't wait to get this book, ordering now....is there a non-Amazon source to buy the book?

[@kikovalladolid4920]

Barnes and Noble I just ordered mine..cheers!

[@SketchedbySte]

I really want to get hold of this but I can't see anywhere about getting hold of it for people in the UK, anyone know if it's available?

[@chitamule9040]

Is using a forwarding company out of the question, I know this means you have to pay extra? I live in Namibia all the way in the south west corner of Africa so often times this is the only route I have to get those hard to get items. For example this was basically the only way I could get replacement nibs for my Wacom tablet

[@SketchedbySte]

@@chitamule9040 Thanks for letting me know, I hadn't thought of this, I am guessing they are really expensive? Do you literally just google it or are there well known companies for this? Thanks again

[@yungkillacoxry5125]

I got George Bridgmans constructive anatomy and I’m ready thru it and it is kinda hard to understand if you don’t know anything about Anatomy idk which books to get because I’m still tying to learn anatomy but I bought this book to try because I really wanna draw but is this book good for someone who doesn’t know a hole lot of anatomy.

[@tabaldak5184]

I swear I share the same passion and excitement; I literally have to stop myself from sketching at night just so I can sleep! It’s so awful sometimes I fall asleep holding a new pencil!! 😂😂🙈🙈🙈

[@adeivyssuarez2843]

Is there any news on volume two for this book series

[@hannomazzurana9809]

Make better versions than you see. I love that! 💪

[@jeffhreid]

I’ve got several of the Bridgeman books, which one is the companion to Jeff’s new book?

[@michaelangelo5217]

This book is only the arms and torso I think

[@marcelbr815]

Awesome

[@natureworldarts2644]

Very Helpful because I'm also an Artist

[@todd.mitchell]

Do you have to buy the online course to use the QR codes in the book? If not, what more is in the online course than the QR-linked videos? (I just added it to my wish list for Christmas! )

[@springthyme501]

Haven't gone through the course yet but just checked on my watts online account. Appears to be 18, 40 minute videos of Jeff doing some of the drawings in the book and breaking down his process. The QR codes are embedded in the book which do not require the course and are 3-5 minute timelapses.

[@todd.mitchell]

@@springthyme501 Thanks!

[@atassa9755]

How do you know what a splayed body actually looks like? Who and when did you splay?

[@adeivyssuarez2843]

Are there any plans for a digital copy?

[@jeffhreid]

Bonus for the Master Blaster clip!

[@ryanclemons1]

I want to get into drawing but i wanted to ask what video of this guys should i start with if i know little of drawing?

[@tenorsurfer87]

I'd go to Stan's Library page (www.proko.com/library/) and start by watching the "Drawing Basics" section. I'd then recommend going to the Portrait videos and then Figure. You practice those drawings with Stan as you go through the videos and you'll be off to a really good start.

[@Cacodoro-Biopaia]

É triste eu não saber inglês fluente, porém irei fazer um curso para entender 100% dos vídeos e "degustar" do melhor canal sobre desenho q conheço, um salve do Brasil 🇧🇷

[@koliakrasotkin6846]

Si tenés aunque sea un conocimiento rudimentario de la gramática del inglés podés aprender un montón más mirando estos videos. Los subtítulos automáticos en inglés ayudan muchísimo a entrenar el oído para reconocer las palabras; después es cuestión de traducir las que no conozcas y poco a poco vas mejorando tu vocabulario.

[@Antonioprophoto]

Hell yeah

[@rishavjana2729]

EPIC

[@ScribblyJoe]

This is PERFECT! Is there an ebook?

[@jeffhreid]

Not yet . Jeff said he would likely come out with a kindle version in the future

[@natureworldarts2644]

Nice

[@supersonico9364]

Question here… is this book about how to study Bridgeman from a painter/sculptor point of view?

[@gallinadeyeso9638]

The book is how to draw Torso only?

[@neguinlk]

The drawings look like stars

[@Germania9]

How do you apply Bridgman to female figures?

[@jeffhreid]

The muscles are basically the same. Suggest you look at the app poser for a source of pose reference then apply the technique to the pose

[@JailanSimon]

Very informative. My head drawings improved but anatomy still looks like snowmen.

[@LarcTald]

wow is there a french version of this book?

[@randomperson3434]

Notice me proko I love your work

[@yaboobayyaboobay8191]

notice him proko senpai

[@adeivyssuarez2843]

So this whole book is dedicated to bridgmans section on torsos?

[@andrewstanley]

where to find those images like at 29:50?

[@neguinlk]

Proko

[@reddish_orange]

My brain aches reading Bridgman’s writing

[@peckerdecker]

What do people think of 1981 animated *heavy metal* ? Then a year later (1982) frazetta released the film _fire and ice_ . Thank you

[@warker6186]

proko's teacher :O

[@williamegan3399]

is your term "splayed" similar to "flayed" ?

[@bono3d]

Can't be sent to Brazil? What a pity. Never had that problem with books.

[@vitruviano2012]

o jeito é esperar..... triste.

[@kamelal-tamimi8123]

I wish this book was available on Kindle, I am not in america right now so buying this book would be double the price. due to shipping.

[@MrOnepiece14]

Thanks for the video guys, it's wonderful and inspiring, but I have a problem hopefully you can help me with. How do I get over this feeling of intimidation I get when learning to draw? Watching Proko or Jeff or anyone draw is inspiring, but at the same time the amount of effort and work they did/do just fills me with a feeling of, "You'll never be able to do that, why even try?" and it's terrifying. I have this ugly notion that I need to be GOOD ENOUGH to watch their videos and study from them. In short, I don't feel good enough to deserve becoming good. How do I get over this?! Please help. Thanks.

Take this into account: If you start drawing now, the drawing youll make tomorrow will tend to be better. Always keep old drawings for checking your progress. If you never start theres a 100% chance you wont be better at it tomorrow. Always compare to yourself. And one more thing: Drawing from photoreference is not that hard, I assure you that after some months of practice youll start dominating it. What is really hard is to create images and shapes that are unique and can speak to the soul, that can take a whole life to achieve. Hope that helps.

[@MrOnepiece14]

@ It has helped me so much the past week, thank you. Drawing from photo reference on top of any other reference has always been difficult for me but with your advice I felt like giving it another shot. At the moment I'm just using it to practice perspective but I'm having more fun with it than I've had in eight years. Thank you so much for the encouraging words, and I'll try to use them to overcome my fear of learning even more, as well.

@@MrOnepiece14 Thats great to know! Hope you are making some progress.

[@SundayLunch]

Can you get it in the uk

[@SketchedbySte]

I have been trying the find out the same thing!

[@zsquigly3791]

Jeff

[@nfwaeft]

DAMN

[@areaf2219]

The way Bridgmaen exaggerates Calves makes them look very intresting

[@adrianpaul1985]

"it's hard to hand your hat only on drawing as a career" me who focused on drawing and never practiced anything else at 20: (sweating)