Dare to Sketch: A Guide to Drawing on the Go by Felix Scheinberger

Tags

art, drawing, how to, inspiration

I have come to art late in life and am filled with self doubt. Can I paint? Can I draw? This wonderfully illustrated book has helped me immensely to have the confidence to just have a go.

The author gives great advice from what equipment you need to how to go about being sneaky so people don’t know they’re being sketched. He offers advice on composition, being unafraid of mistakes, using colour, collage and putting yourself into what you draw.

This isn’t a book to take you step-by-step through each mark you make on the paper. Rather, I found it a permission slip to draw what I see, what I feel about what I see, and to experience the joy of creativity and maintaining a visual diary of my life.

I loved this book and I’ll definitely read more by this author.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

 

Modern Watercolor by Kristen Van Leuven

Tags

art, how to, non-fiction, painting

As I’ve mentioned before, I came late to art and I am trying my best to improve my skills in various media, especially watercolours. I was pleased to learn about Ms. Van Leuven’s modern take on watercolour painting and was keen to give it a go. I wasn’t disappointed.

His book isn’t for you if you have watercolour painting experience, but for a complete novice like me, it was just the ticket. The author takes us from the very basics of what materials to use, colour mixing and papers, right through to how to paint florals, landscapes and some animals, all with a modern, fresh look.

If you are a watercolour newbie, I can heartily recommend this bright, cheerful and instructive book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Anytime, Anywhere Art: Watercolour by Barbara Roth

Tags

art, drawing, how to, non-fiction, painting

I’m fairly new to art and am always in the lookout for new books to help me hone my skills. Roth’ book was very inviting and I was pleased to work my way through.

First, the good points.

There is loads of advice on the materials and equipment one needs to get out and work outside.

Ms. Roth explains clearly how she approaches her art. She takes us through several paintings from initial sketch to how she mixed her colours and where to apply them. But oh my, those colours…

The garish choice of unnatural looking colours made me wince. This is probably down to personal taste, but the Eiffel Tower isn’t pink, and I found Ms Ruth’s style more illustrative rather than painterly.

However, this is a fun book with much good advice in it and well worth a look.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

About Sketching by Jasper Salwey

Tags

art, drawing, how to

About Sketching: The Art and Practice of Capturing The Moment by Jasper Salwey was originally published in 1930 and is republished now by Dover Publications. Salwey was a very talented artist and considered an expert in his day.

There are many illustrations in the book. Sadly, these are all in black and white, so when he discusses using red chalk and pastels, there is no discernible difference in the illustration. In some, the blocks of blacks and greys are so solid that it renders the illustration meaningless.

Then comes the text itself. Salwey really knows his stuff, there is no denying that. But, the voice is so very dated; dense and difficult to read. For me, it took the joy out of learning. Modern books have a much friendlier, lighter tone that I prefer, that makes me believe I can have a decent stab at what the writer is describing.

While I am sure this is a worthwhile book, I’m afraid it’s too dated and dense for me.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for an honest review.

 

 

The Fantasy Artroom by Aaron Pocock

Tags

art, drawing, non-fiction

I’ve started crafting and painting and drawing a lot more than I used to as a form of depression therapy. It works for me. I requested this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review and I have to say that this is the first ‘how to draw’ book I have ever looked at, so I have nothing to compare it to. Having said that, The Fantasy Artroom isn’t quite what I was hoping for.

While the author does include a few detailed how-to pages, the book seems to be geared towards promoting his own, admittedly good, work and moves on to a level of detail that’s way beyond what I could attain without a great deal of hard work, if at all.

If you are looking for a book to further your art education, possibly moving to fantasy art after having some previous experience, this might just be the book for you. If, like me, you are a complete beginner, I think there may be better books out there.

In any road, below are a selection of pages from the book and my sad attempts to replicate them.