Ryder's book is a delight to leaf through, looking at the excellent life drawings in red earth, done with the same accuracy and passion as the masters of the past.He gives a very clear account of how to tackle the drawing in phases, until it is finished.I would have rated the book a solid 5, were it not that in my opinion Ryder spends too little time giving advice on how to measure proportions, which are the basis of a successful life drawing or portrait. He is undoubtedly a masterful draftsman, but the less experienced artist reading his book would expect to be led step by step on such an important aspect of drawing from life.