Drawing the Human Head

The acclaimed cartoonist hailed as the “Michelangelo of the comic strip” presents a comprehensive and authoritative guide on how to draw any type of head from every angle, age the face from infancy to old age, and much more.

In Drawing the Human Head, Burne Hogarth masterfully analyzes the basic structure, proportions, and anatomy of the human head. He carefully delineates the precise form and musculature of every facial feature; he outlines wrinkle patterns and demonstrates how to draw the head from every single angle; and he clearly explains how to age the face from birth to old age. Stressing the primary need to draw the head and body artistically, Hogarth defines head types according to structure and explains what features go with these types. To illustrate the vast diversity of head structures and proportions, he displays a sampling of heads throughout the world and offers a gallery of great heads in paintings, drawing, etches, sculptures, and other notable works of art throughout history.

Burne Hogarth’s unique teaching methods in Drawing the Human Head, part of his comprehensive Dynamic Drawing Series, are indispensable for every professional artist, art student, teacher, painter, sculptor, illustrator, cartoonist, animator, and serious amateur.

Burne Hogarth’s masterful Dynamic Drawing Series is an invaluable resource for any artist:
DRAWING DYNAMIC HANDS • DRAWING THE HUMAN HEAD • DYNAMIC ANATOMY • DYNAMIC FIGURE DRAWING • DYNAMIC LIGHT AND SHADE • DYNAMIC WRINKLES AND DRAPERY

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs