I have liked to draw since I was a child, and if I do say so myself, I was good at it. However, there was cretin things that needed to help with. So when I seen this book in my book-clubs catalog, I had to get it. I have always liked the “DUMMIES” books, everyone that I have read has taught me a lot.
Brenda Hoddinott is the author and artist for this book. She is a self-educated Visual Artist, Forensic Artist, and Illustrator. She also was an educator for eight-teen years. She has done a great job putting this book together.
This book is a must for beginning artist, because it focuses on the basics. In addition, there are plenty of challenges for the more-experienced artist wanting to hone their skills. It covers drawing many different subjects from characters, and people to landscape and pets. It has almost 300 hundred illustrations; every one of them is specific to the skill being discussed. This book is designed to motivate and enhance your creativity, one of the pictures in here are bound to inspire you.
Some people may think that you need to have a natural “talent” for drawing, to be an artist with a pencil. This is untrue. Anyone can draw. Drawing for DUMMIES will show the techniques to create what ever you what.
It is fun to poke through; the tear out Cheat Sheet at the front of the book is very helpful. It has a Graphite Value guide on one side and the other is a guide for drawing eyes, drawing eyes is covered else where in this book. I was interested in the “Drawing People” sections.
On page 27, it shows you how to make a portfolio out of matt board and packing or duct tape. You can substitute the materials for whatever you want and personalize it, having a portfolio is great for storing and transporting your art.
Moreover, this is a fun project, a great way to get excited about drawing. I went a little over board with mine but at least I know its mine.
Part two is all about exercising the basic skills and hopefully help you better understand the brains perspective on artistic perceptions, by explaining how the left and right side of your brain work together to create pictures.
Along with how to identify exciting drawing subjects from familiar places, and turn them into art The chapters on three-dimensional drawing and textures are great. Showing you how lighting and shadowing makes value, which is a skill you need to draw realistic pictures.
Part Three explains composition and how to plan your drawings. Chapter eleven covers quick and efficient sketching, and tips on saving images in your mind to finish a drawing later. Chapters four-teen through Six-teen is focused on plants, animals and landscapes. And, drawing from pictures.
Part four (my favorite) drawing people, it shows you the different proportioning between babies, children, and adults heads. Also, their features such as lips/ eyes/ nose/and ears. Chapter twenty is all about fun faces and crazy hairstyles.
The last of the chapters are filled will tips, projects and more advice.
Whether you are a beginner or more experienced and want to advance, you will want to flip through this book.
Happy Drawing!
