While most plastic surgeons emphasize the artistry involved in performing plastic surgery, very few have had any serious training as an artist (as Dr. Baxter has.) Dr. Baxter continues to polish his skills as an artist by drawing the live model. The human figure is one of the most difficult subjects, because anyone can easily detect a misproportion or small error, even if they can't identify exactly what it is; the drawing just won't look right, just like the results of an operation which may be technically correct but somehow not as good as they could be. The skills honed by drawing the
human figure and face carry over directly to the fine art of plastic surgery.
This composite of sketches is what are called "gesture" drawings, short poses (2-5 minutes) usually as a warm up before longer poses.