Compendium of drawing techniques: 200 tips, techniques and trade secrets

by Donna Krizek

Explore the versatility of drawing both as an art in itself and as a foundation for building other media. This book covers all kinds of pencils, pens, and techniques, drawing line work, shading and textual effects, and how to build your observation and composition skills - whether you are working from life or drawing from your imagination.

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

Reviews

[Gem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book full of tips on sketching and painting. Feels like an art class in a book. Plenty of things I found fascinating and never would have thought of.

[Parka · Rating 5 out of 5]

(More pictures on my blog)

Drawing and Sketching Secrets is a collection of wide ranging drawing tips and techniques compiled by Reader's Digest. There are four chapters covering the tools, the techniques, working on different subjects, drawing for submissions and displaying your work.

The inspiration are from the pointers, drawings and demonstrations. The tips cover basics such as the always helpful contour drawing, understanding values, composition, etc. But they are too short to get a full appreciation of how powerful those drawing fundamentals can be. In that sense, this is more of a companion book to a more dedicated drawing book.

The beautiful examples are created from a variety of medium and they will tempt you to try them. Many great artists have their work featured. Some are amazing, such as the photo-realistic looking harbour piece drawn with colour pencil by Graham Brace, or the meticulously hatched and crossed hatched ink drawings by Melissa Tubbs and Edmond Oliveros. It's inspiring to see what artists can do with just simple tools.

It's a good drawing book to get if you want to explore different styles.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the memory of an art college education growing slightly hazy, I've recently been browsing art related books in an attempt to get myself drawing again. I found this book in the library and I think it will help me achieve this.

The book is split into 200 tips and techniques, starting from the very basics through to more advanced techniques. The book can be flicked through to either give inspiration or to remind you about a certain technique. Or it can be read from cover to cover if you are a beginner.

I really like the fact this is a thin, easily accessible book. The text is useful without being too descriptive and overbearing. This is exactly what i'm looking for, I'd rather spend my time practicing, than trawling through a wordy tome. (I know in the past I have been guilty of the latter.)

I'm going to buy a copy for my book shelf, so I can reference it when I feel in need of inspiration.

[Martha Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my very favorite beginning drawing books. Why? Because it is full of gorgeous color photographs illustrating the step-by-step process of how to do different drawing or painting techniques! I will definitively buy this book and keep it in my reference library or on my coffee table!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very useful book for the hobbyist and anyone interested in branching out from the tried and true or needing a fresh kick in the creative pants.

[Justin Case]

Øllet