Keys to Drawing Kindle Edition

This book is one of my favorite drawing instruction books (used it as a life drawing instructor and have given it as a gift several times over the years). The book that was shipped to me (is a new book - North Light 30th Anniversary Classic Edition) has moiré patterns throughout--presenting as distracting checkerboard patterns on all areas of solid grey. This is most noticeable (and distracting) on the larger images. This sort of flaw is unforgivable in an art book since how can someone "match the tones" if the tones of the picture are marred by an ugly printing artifact? It was meant as a Christmas present but now I don't know what to do since a second shipped book may look just like the first since I don't know how extensive this printing error is (might be true for the entire printing of the 30th Edition.) I'd prefer not to give a used edition as a gift but might drop back to a prior printing in the hopes of obtaining a well set-up and cleanly printed copy.This book is a terrific book for intermediate or advanced beginner artists who want to up their skills (improve mark control and 'seeing' ability) so my down-rating is only for the quality of the printing. The content is top-rate (4-5 stars) and Bert Dodson deserves a better presentation for his excellent content.

This book should be in every artist’s library, however my issue is not with the book. This is the third time in my life that I’m purchasing a copy (my first is long lost, and my second was given to a friend). The book’s contents is absolutely indispensable. Every artist should own it.My issue is with the binding. It’s weird to me that an art book would have such poorly spaced margins on the inside. Most of the text and images end up running all the way to the binding. Even when laid flat, you have to shove the book flat to either read or see the details.I highly recommend this book, but maybe not this particular edition. I’m pretty disappointed. I’m hoping I just received a poorly bound copy.

I bought this for my son who is a beginning artist. I am an artist myself but teaching your kids can be tricky. I thought a few books would help him. The reviews were great so I thought it would be good. When it came I couldn’t believe this book. It’s mostly written and the examples look like scribbles or doodles. I tried reading it and I just couldn’t get through it. As most artist are notoriously easily distracted, trying to read this book was hell.I didn’t find anything that would help my son.

Completely in love with this book! So much so, that after borrowing from the library I had to get a copy for myself!The book is over 200 pages with 8 different sections on topics such as: the drawing process, artist handwriting, proportions, illusions of lighting, depth and texture, pattern and design, and finally drawing and imagination.I was looking for a book to assist me with drawing and sketching because I am trying to improve my watercoloring so, I was going back to the basics. I started on other selections (Drawing From The Right Side of the Brain for example) and found them either too bulky in text or technique.I've made it through 3 sections and already I feel as if my skills in sketching and drawing from what I see have improved tremendously! Like a lot of books on drawing it does focus at first on getting past the jump into the flow as an artist through several exercises that then become habit.What was really nice for me were the various "projects" in each section. Basically you are given an assignment after reading through some technique / self - analyzation based writings with specific instructions including materials, times, and the focus for the project. At the end of every section there is also a self-critique where you evaluate your progress on all the projects through a series of questions and a wrap-up page with the "keys" to that chapter.I can't wait to draw more and improve my skills with this text and I'd recommend it to anyone, no matter the skill level or medium because of the elements it teaches.

It's an easy to understand book. It does help you train yourself to think more artistically. I would know as I'm mostly an analytical thinker so it's been kind of hard for me to stop using symbols and breaking things down to basic shapes. This fits for a more traditional sense of drawing but you can transfer these same skills for digital.But with anything you have to practice. Practicing everyday will yield you the best results and don't doubt yourself. You're going to mess up and that's fine! Drawing tends to be forgiving when making mistakes compared to other fields so I'm rather thankful for that.

The book was very informative, I'm an advance amateur artist but I took away some good tidbits of information. I bought it because it was on sale via the Kindle version. It was fun to read during my lunch break but it would be better for novice artists to get the softbound version so they can practice as they progress through the book. Some of the things I liked was the use of your pencil as a sighting/measuring tool and using an egg with lines indicating facial feature locations as a reference for drawing head angles. A more novice artist will get even more out of this book than an advanced artist.

Before I got this book, I was embarrassed to draw a stick figure. I followed the lessons and was amazed at the life like drawings I can do now. Seriously, this will help anyone who wants to learn to draw. I'm not a natural artist, but after this I started taking painting classes. I won't make money with my skill level, but people are always surprised when they see the drawings I have done of my children and animals. I am very happy I bought this book. It really helped me. Not an overnight process, but an enjoyable one with rewards if you follow thru.

I have been drawing for some years and wanted to buy a book for someone starting to draw from scratch. I found Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain a great help when I started out but it is quite wordy. This is the other book that appears in all the ‘Best Drawing tutor’ lists so I got a copy for both of us so I could work alongside them. I have read it cover to cover and think it is brilliant. It is informative, practical, encouraging, inspiring and accessible. The chapter on composition alone was worth the price of the book to me (I already own a couple of books in this subject) as it is so lucid. A steal at the price.

If you could buy only one learn to draw book, buy this one! It will revolutionise how you draw. Having always loved art, I went through 3/4 of my life believing I was crap and that I couldn't draw. This will give you the confidence to realise that like anything, drawing is a skill that needs practising and (b) you shouldn't care what anyone else thinks. And most importantly, anyone can draw, given the right instruction and given confidence. I like how in part of the book, you see student examples of a hand and realise when you have a go, you are up there with them in creating a nice first ever and achievable drawing of your own hand. I really love the idea of learning to draw the outline of things and leaving the mistakes in as part of the process of capturing what you want to draw. Money well spent!

This is a great book very informative and helpful. It's set out in a clear straight forward way, there are step by step series of exercises to do but you can also dip in and out.I have Bert Dodson's other book Drawing from the Imagination which is also excellent. I have enjoyed learning from these books - its like having your own great Master to teach you anytime that you want to learn more. I often incorporate ideas learnt from these books when I am teaching drawing to other artists and they find them very helpful.

I've always envied people who can draw well. I don't necessarily want to draw fantastically, but have wanted to be able to sketch a little better than my three year old. So I bought myself a small tin of pencils and this book (on Kindle).And, it has worked. I'm really quite pleasantly surprised. Instant results. Within a few days of starting, I drew a cork screw. And, it looks like a cork screw! Shading, highlights etc. A couple of weeks later I've drawn pictures of my son, that people could actually recognise it as a drawing of him.The book is pleasantly, conversationally written, and will discuss the the theory quite simply and then ask you to undertake an exercise with instructions. You start of drawing your feet, then hands, 1 minute sketches, then bottles, objects and people. After looking at different styles of sketching employed by different artists, it encourages you to find your own style.It works by outlining the 'keys' to drawing. Little golden snippets, that you build upon as you progress. How to hold the pencil. Draw the outline. Draw enclosed shapes. Measure with pencil. Sight lines etc etc. It's all about how you look at and study things really.Quite simply. If you want to learn to draw, or improve your drawing. This is a great book, and I can fully understand why it's so popular.

I started drawing last year as a challenge to myself of learning a new skill and finding a new hobby.I had been following videos online but didn't feel like they gave me a structured way of learning.This book is brilliant so far. It brings the enjoyment back as the excercises are short and the example drawings don't make you feel inadequate in your own ability. It teaches you some really important techniques from the beginning. One of the critical points early on in the book is that you need to look at the subject you are drawing more than your paper. Also, it teaches you to stop erasing mistakes, but restate instead.You can see yourself improving with this book and it drives you to continue. You feel like the author really wants you to succeed and revel in the magic of drawing. Love the author's note at the back too.