Ed Emberley's Big Purple Drawing Book

Ed Emberley Drawing Books

by Ed Emberley

Using just 8 shapes and objects, Ed Emberley shows would-be artists how to draw a variety of animals, people, insects, and more, and everything is PURPLE! This hefty 96-page book is packed with fun things that kids-and not a few adults-really want to draw. Easy and fun, the book provides hours of art-full fun.

Genres: Art, Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Crafts

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1981

About the author

American artist and illustrator, best known for children's picture books.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very helpful if you can use it as a reference.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ed Emberley starts where most elementary-aged kids are at (stick figures) and brings drawing to the next immediate level of complexity. No shading, still just two-dimensional, but able to capture more of the world. Children tend to be very methodical and formulaic in their drawing--what they haven't seen others draw before, they tend to lack the imagination and talent to figure out (on their own) the technique for rendering it in a recognizable form. What most need is an engaging mentor that will help them simplify the complexity down to something they can comprehend and replicate. Children naturally enjoy creating their own worlds and stories through art, and this author-illustrator increases their repertoire, bringing more joy to their fingertips. While a natural artist who wants to make things look realistic may feel stifled by the approach, it will teach him/her to use basic shapes to create forms, to have an eye for detail, and to use boldness in graphic art to create impact and communicate clearly one's ideas. I would strongly recommend each of his color-themed titles (orange, purple, green, etc., as well as his finger/thumbprint books and his "make a world" book. All will bring smiles and inspiration to young artists ages 5-12.

[Magik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these books growing up. I would get them from the library and go through them drawing all my favorites things. I think it's what helped give me a healthy love of cartoons and comics. It gave me confidence in drawing with it's easy instructions and fun cartoony looks.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite challenge from here has always been the pirate ship. To stretch out old muscles, I think I will do The Creature later this month.

[AnnieM · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this one enough to also buy it.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our oldest began bringing home lots of drawing books from her school library a few years ago, and now our youngest is starting to do the same. Both of our girls enjoy learning how to draw different creatures from drawing books like this, and the results are rather impressive. Both can draw much better than I can! Our youngest borrowed this book today from her elementary school library and she drew a couple of adorable purple poodles as soon as she got home from school.

We've really enjoyed Ed Emberley's Monster books like Go Away, Big Green Monster!, so we were excited to find some books about drawing by this author.

It's a good book that shows a step-by-step method to drawing different critters. It has a purple theme, but most if the designs can be drawn in any color. It uses basic shapes and simple additive layers of detail to make different characters and expressions.

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impressive how he can break down into simple steps the ability to draw something as complex as a big freighter ship or a pirate ship.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Ed G · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's purple and you can draw stuff.