Just Draw It

by Sam Piyasena

This title is suitable for anyone, from self-styled artistic no-hopers to aspiring artists who want to get new ideas and skills. It is organized as a series of exercises, all of which will provide you with essential practice for your brain, eye, and hand. The result is a powerful drawing course that does not feel like a course.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Drawing, Reference, Crafts, Inspirational, Creative

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Sarah Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, honestly the inside of this book could get a full 4-5 stars from me if it wasn't for the title. The title/cover includes "dynamic drawing course for anyone with a pencil and paper" so I thought this would be a how to learn to draw type of book. Nope. It has a lot of great inspiration for those who already draw/sketch and are stuck for ideas or need to grow outside of their regular sketchbox. This book will not teach you how to draw, so many of the activities I could not do because I do not yet sketch or draw. I will use other books to learn more and then come back to this book when I have some ideas and skills to help give me inspiration to try different things.

[Deb Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't say this is a book for anyone - certainly not 'self-styled no-hopers'. You have to have some basic idea of how to draw, of materials and techniques, but where it does excel is as a source of inspiration.

The book is divided into chapters which cover line and mark making, tone, composition, observation and so on. Each chapter contains exercises and, most usefully, examples and further reading/looking at artists who have captured that skill.

I find it a beautiful thing to leaf through as well as a source of inspiration.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been searching for a book like this for a while. It has lots of interesting tasks and artistic exercises that challenge and develop your skills and perception, many of the exercises I remember from my college days.

Most of the tasks are drawing related though there are a few mixed media exercises.

I think I will buy a copy to put on my shelf for those times where I'm short on inspiration.

[Zaila Castillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an art student I find this useful for my everyday practice there a lot of exercise to improve my talent in drawing and I never get any artist block.
I recommended this book to all art student out there.

[Michael Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book for what it is — not a book of instruction, but a book of inspiration. Draw large, draw tiny, draw from above, draw from below. Get a new perspective, do it different, and keep up your enthusiasm. An idea that’s worth a lot, and you may want to at least skim the material in it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't want to give this back to the library! Super fun.

[Korie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed looking through this book. I may buy it and try a few of the projects.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of inspiring exercises for experienced artists.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful instructional guides! Colourful, informative, inspiring and achievable for anyone.

[Con Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awsum
for artists and anyone interested in unblocking their creativity

[Beth Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful book of ideas for practicing drawing, as long as you have some idea of how to draw in the first place.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of interesting ideas to get you through a creative block.