The Sight-Size Cast

You Can Learn How To Draw And Paint What You See.
Even If You Cannot Attend An Atelier.

“The Sight-Size Cast by Darren R. Rousar is a must read textbook for reference today and for future generations.”

-Allan R. Banks, Artist, student of Richard Lack and R.H. Ives Gammell

The Sight-Size Cast - cover

About the book ...

Drawing begins with seeing.

Learning how to accurately see, as well as draw and paint, is best done through Sight-Size cast drawing. Ateliers exist worldwide to help you do that. But what if you cannot afford atelier training, or there is not an atelier nearby? Or, perhaps you are already in an atelier and would like to supplement that training?

Although nothing can replace direct atelier training, The Sight-Size Cast presents, as closely as is possible, the same instruction you would receive in an atelier.

Get Your Copy of

The Sight-Size Cast

PDF eBook

Paperback

“Darren R. Rousar’s real achievement with The Sight-Size Cast is his clearly explained and beautifully illustrated step-by-step exposition of the Sight-Size process. Not only is this a wonderful reference for aspiring students, but also for anyone who would like to add to their craft a better understanding of foundational artistic seeing. From technical procedures and tools to history and philosophy, it is all here.”

-Kirk Richards is an artist, author and teacher from Amarillo, TX who learned Sight-Size during his studies with Richard Lack from 1976-80.

What is Sight-Size?

Sight-Size is simply an arrangement of the artist, subject, and artwork that allows the artist to see their subject and artwork one-to-one.

Richard F. Lack (1928-2009) working on a cast drawing. Photograph courtesy of the Lack Estate.
Richard F. Lack (1928-2009) working on a cast drawing. Photograph courtesy of the Lack Estate.

Atelier training traditionally begins with cast drawing in Sight-Size.

Why plaster casts? Because casts do not move. That static aspect is what keeps you from chasing the model, which in turn helps you to develop accurate sight.

“For centuries, students began their studies by drawing and painting from antique casts. They learned to see the outside shape and the edge of the shadow and how to model half tones and turn edges - essential skills for any realist artist. Darren R. Rousar does a remarkable job of explaining and illustrating in great detail how students today may learn these skills. I heartily endorse this book!”

-Richard Whitney, PhD.H, artist and author. Studied with Sid Willis and R. H. Ives Gammell.

R. H. Ives Gammell (1893-1981) critiquing a portrait being painted by Allan R. Banks. Photograph courtesy of Allan R. Banks.
R. H. Ives Gammell (1893-1981) critiquing a portrait being painted by Allan R. Banks.
Notice that the model and Allan’s painting are side-by-side and they are viewed from a distant vantage point.
Photograph courtesy of Allan R. Banks.

Inside The Sight-Size Cast you will learn ...

  1. What Sight-Size is
  2. All about the history of Sight-Size
  3. How to choose your materials
  4. How to arrange your cast and artwork
  5. The Guess and Check
  6. The Art of Starts
  7. How to accurately see shape relationships
  8. How to accurately see value relationships
  9. How to accurately see edge relationships
  10. What finish is and how to achieve it

And, how to apply these lessons to both cast drawing and painting.

You can look inside the book using Amazon’s ‘Read Sample’ feature here.

The Sight-Size Cast - pages 120-121
The Sight-Size Cast - pages 128-129
The Sight-Size Cast - pages 144-145
The Sight-Size Cast - pages 160-161
The Sight-Size Cast - pages 216-217
The Sight-Size Cast - pages 228-229

Get Your Copy of

The Sight-Size Cast

PDF eBook

Paperback

The Sight-Size Cast - cover

About Darren R. Rousar

Hi! My name is Darren R. Rousar. I am an artist, teacher, and the author of numerous books about Sight-Size (as well as others about Memory Drawing). I have been helping aspiring artists like you learn how to confidently draw what they see for well over 30 years.

You can learn more about me here, more about Sight-Size here, and get answers to your questions over here.

Sight-Size helps you confidently draw whatever you see because it assures accurate sight.