What do you think?
Rate this book
Freehand: Sketching Tips and Tricks Drawn from Art
Creating stylish sketches by hand is easy and fun with this inspiring guide. Freehand breaks down basic drawing techniques into bite-sized chunks, and reveals their practical application in dazzling examples by today's coolest artists. Over 200 innovative works of art demonstrate all the fundamentals—line, tone, composition, texture, and more—and are presented alongside friendly text explaining the simple techniques used to achieve each stylish effect. The final section of the book offers aspiring artists essential reference materials to hone their drafting skills and practice what they've learned. Petite in size but comprehensive in scope, this hip handbook will teach artists of all skill levels how to find their personal drawing style and start making amazing sketches.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2013
221 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 28, 2018
To me "freehand" and "sketching" both mean creating art with your own physical hands, in a minimally planned way (maybe you think about the result before you put pen to paper, but you aren't extensively planning and making drafts on graph paper and underdrawing. Or acquiring things to paste into your image).
But I am clearly an old fogey who does not know what words mean these days.
These are more like "finished art pieces with a hip, casual feel, often completed with digital software." As far as looks go, some were interesting, some were poor, most I could take or leave.
I don't see this book as being helpful for someone who wanted to become better at sketching. The tips are either ridiculously obvious (composition makes a big difference) or weirdly specific (layer torn papers in different patterns to create depth). This was basically just a fun little book to glance through.
But I am clearly an old fogey who does not know what words mean these days.
These are more like "finished art pieces with a hip, casual feel, often completed with digital software." As far as looks go, some were interesting, some were poor, most I could take or leave.
I don't see this book as being helpful for someone who wanted to become better at sketching. The tips are either ridiculously obvious (composition makes a big difference) or weirdly specific (layer torn papers in different patterns to create depth). This was basically just a fun little book to glance through.
May 20, 2015
As a newbie watercolour painter I found this one of the most exciting books I have read so far about drawing and painting. It's a small book, but it is packed with quirky and original contemporary artworks. There is a write up given on various aspects of each picture - on the methods used, the materials used, and an analysis of what makes each picture work so well.
Most of all, this book can be used as an inspirational source book. I have marked a whole load of images that have given me ideas to experiment with in my own dabblings. It has also given me ideas that will hugely change how I work - for example...
*There were several images that combined physical materials with using Photoshop. I have for years used Photoshop with my photography - but this book suggests all sorts of amazing ways it can be used with drawings and paintings too. I found the examples given hugely inspiring.
* Collage - some wonderful examples were given. I can't wait to try some for myself.
* How to make small intricate drawings. Draw them big, scan them, then print them small. (Why did I never think of this!)
And there were loads of other suggestions too, including more traditional advice about things like stretching paper and the various mediums available. This advice was fairly cursory though. The main emphasis of the book is about really broadening your horizons and different and unusual ways of doing things.
Finally, I just loved the artworks. What a wealth of marvellous images...
Kaye Blegvad (Each cat head is drawn on different coloured paper)
Kate Pugsley "Nerves" (Collage - the teeth are added in a different type of paper.)
Caitlin Foster (Note the strobe-like, rippling effect of patterns like this)
Sara Landeta (A painting within a painting.)
As you can see from the last pic - where relevant, close ups are given of details.
When I first saw this book I was disappointed because it was rather small (18cm x 13cm). But it was like the Tardis - as I read it, it grew bigger and bigger. It was packed with so many good ideas! The book has also given me the names of several artists whose work I want to explore further. Definitely a great read for people who want to experiment with different ways of approaching their art.
Most of all, this book can be used as an inspirational source book. I have marked a whole load of images that have given me ideas to experiment with in my own dabblings. It has also given me ideas that will hugely change how I work - for example...
*There were several images that combined physical materials with using Photoshop. I have for years used Photoshop with my photography - but this book suggests all sorts of amazing ways it can be used with drawings and paintings too. I found the examples given hugely inspiring.
* Collage - some wonderful examples were given. I can't wait to try some for myself.
* How to make small intricate drawings. Draw them big, scan them, then print them small. (Why did I never think of this!)
And there were loads of other suggestions too, including more traditional advice about things like stretching paper and the various mediums available. This advice was fairly cursory though. The main emphasis of the book is about really broadening your horizons and different and unusual ways of doing things.
Finally, I just loved the artworks. What a wealth of marvellous images...
Kaye Blegvad (Each cat head is drawn on different coloured paper)
Kate Pugsley "Nerves" (Collage - the teeth are added in a different type of paper.)
Caitlin Foster (Note the strobe-like, rippling effect of patterns like this)
Sara Landeta (A painting within a painting.)
As you can see from the last pic - where relevant, close ups are given of details.
When I first saw this book I was disappointed because it was rather small (18cm x 13cm). But it was like the Tardis - as I read it, it grew bigger and bigger. It was packed with so many good ideas! The book has also given me the names of several artists whose work I want to explore further. Definitely a great read for people who want to experiment with different ways of approaching their art.
August 9, 2015
Nifty little book that got me inspired to get out my colored pencils, but while some might find the instruction helpful I can’t say it had practical use for me. I think I just can’t learn art this way, and perhaps it’s just that I didn’t put any concentrated effort in trying. What’s lovely about the book is the art; I loved a lot of it. For artists or people who want to dabble in many artistic media, I think there are some good ideas and helpful tips. I did make note of the art apps mentioned and I have started to check them out. Fun book! It’s a friendly size for carrying around, which I did. I was hoping for more pure colored pencils (only one example where that was the only technique used) and watercolors. For people who want to play with a bunch of kinds of art, especially in each art piece, this is a really good book for ideas and inspiration.
3 ½ stars
3 ½ stars
February 13, 2018
3.5 stars. This in my opinion is more a book to inspire you to maybe try a new medium or a new technique. The subtitle says "Sketching Tips and Tricks Drawn From Art". They are drawn from art, and she shows you the art on the opposite page, but I'm not sure I'd call this a book of sketching tips and tricks. It's less about drawing and more about mixed media and digital art, and ways of combining the two.
If that's what you want, then great, this book will inspire you to do that, but if you want sketching tips and tricks, try Sketch!: The Non-Artist's Guide to Inspiration, Technique, and Drawing Daily Life. That is a great book about sketching. This one, not so much.
If that's what you want, then great, this book will inspire you to do that, but if you want sketching tips and tricks, try Sketch!: The Non-Artist's Guide to Inspiration, Technique, and Drawing Daily Life. That is a great book about sketching. This one, not so much.
July 7, 2017
Good overview of a wide array of artistic tidbits, such as "Suggesting Time", "Negative Space", "Damp Ground", "Aerial Gaze", "Complementary Colors", etc. Feels more scattershot than I was expecting for some reason.
August 6, 2020
I failed to see the point of this. And I can't imagine who the intended audience is. Not to mention that the title is utterly misleading, as there's an almost total absence of "tips and tricks."
And with that, I've put as much effort into my review as it seems the author put into this collection of mostly uninspiring art and meager commentary.
And with that, I've put as much effort into my review as it seems the author put into this collection of mostly uninspiring art and meager commentary.
July 15, 2015
This is a collection of inspiring art ideas and techniques - great for when you need inspiration on how to execute your next art project.
The book is organised thus: a picture is accompanied by text explaining how the artist has done that work, the effect achieved, and how you could use this technique in your work too.
I found myself thinking what a neat idea - why didn't I think of that?! on some of the tips, as I slowly ploughed my way through this small but thick tome. I also foresee myself going back to this book time and again for inspiration, each time I feel like creating something.
The only negative points for me were:
1) The misleading title - this isn't just about sketching, nor does it include detailed sketching instructions. Rather, the book features all sorts of art media (e.g. collage, paper cutting, painting, digital art, etc) that have some element of sketching in them. Sometimes the sketching bit is very minimal.
2) There was an error with one of the featured artworks. On page 90, the text accompanying the art piece describes a completely different artwork from that shown. I was left boggled before I realised that the wrong picture must have been used. This was such a major error - why wasn't this book properly checked before going to print?
Still, gripes aside, this book is something I'd invest my money in, solely for its usefulness.
The book is organised thus: a picture is accompanied by text explaining how the artist has done that work, the effect achieved, and how you could use this technique in your work too.
I found myself thinking what a neat idea - why didn't I think of that?! on some of the tips, as I slowly ploughed my way through this small but thick tome. I also foresee myself going back to this book time and again for inspiration, each time I feel like creating something.
The only negative points for me were:
1) The misleading title - this isn't just about sketching, nor does it include detailed sketching instructions. Rather, the book features all sorts of art media (e.g. collage, paper cutting, painting, digital art, etc) that have some element of sketching in them. Sometimes the sketching bit is very minimal.
2) There was an error with one of the featured artworks. On page 90, the text accompanying the art piece describes a completely different artwork from that shown. I was left boggled before I realised that the wrong picture must have been used. This was such a major error - why wasn't this book properly checked before going to print?
Still, gripes aside, this book is something I'd invest my money in, solely for its usefulness.
May 20, 2014
I have to say this book was only okay. There were a few interesting things contained in it but for the most part it was kind of a disappointment. I got a few interesting ideas from it and there were some nice drawings. I was disappointed in the majority of this though and found it fairly remedial. I also was annoyed and the amount of digital drawings and manipulations in it. This would probably be a better book for the beginner and also someone interested in digitally manipulating their drawings in photo shop or illustrator. There were a few good tips though and it was a very easy book to read.
February 6, 2017
This is an extremely misleading title. From the title, one might expect a book about sketching. Problematically though, there's a lots of art in here that most people really wouldn't consider "sketching" including digital editing, collages, and paper cutting. On top of that most of the "tips" included with the artwork were not really helpful at all, more like just straight up commentary on the art. This is really a showcase of artists masquerading as a book that will teach you tips for sketching. And yes, some of the art was interesting (and some... not so much) but I really felt like this book had an identity crisis.
December 27, 2021
Eye candy if you like to draw or just gaze at small artworks that pack a punch. It took me a long time to finish because I had trouble turning the pages. I ended up re- reading/gazing most of it at least once.
August 27, 2018
Magnificent.
June 11, 2022
Another excellent book from Helen Birch, full of work by a multitude of artists that both inspire and teach. A book I'll be going back to again and again.
September 6, 2014
This little book might be good for the absolute beginner, or in an art classroom, but in my opinion it is mis-titled. I expected to see art drawn "freehand", but much of the art was digitally manipulated in some manner. And while the art is fun to look at, the written blurbs that accompanies each piece of art is rather rudimentary and not really informative.
January 21, 2014
Not something to buy necessarily but great for inspiration.
November 13, 2014
the writing itself was not perfect but I look forward to referencing the diverse means of drawing shown in this little gem of a book.
April 2, 2015
A bit heavy on the digital drawings- which is fine, but I was hoping for more sketching and hand drawing examples. Loved the size, the photographs, and the simple instructions and text.
Read
December 28, 2016Really neat little book packed with fresh, contemporary art inspiration. Each piece has a short analysis of composition, technique, and form.
September 25, 2020
Artists featured in this books:
Ana Montiel
http://www.anamontiel.com
Angela Dalinger
http://angeladalinger.tumblr.com
http://angela-dalinger.jimdo.com
Betsy Walton
betsy@morningcraft.com
http://www.morningcraft.com
Bovey Lee
http://boveylee.com
http://boveylee.wordpress.com
Bryce Wymer
http://brycewymer.com
http://brycewymer.blogspot.co.uk
Caitlin Foster
http://caitlinfoster.tumblr.com
Carine Brancowitz
http://www.carinebrancowitz.com
http://facebook.com/carinebrancowitz
Catherina Turk / dear pumpernickel
http://catherinaturk.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dearpumperni...
Cheeming Boey
boey@iamboey.com
http://iamboey.com
http://www.facebook.com/BoeyCheeming
http://twitter.com/iamboey
Chris Keegan
info@chriskeegan.co.uk
http://www.chriskeegan.co.uk
Craig McCann
http://www.fishink.co.uk
http://www.fishinkblog.wordpress.com
http://fishink.carbonmade.com/project...
Dain Fagerholm
http://dainfagerholm.com
Dale Wylie
dale_wylieone@hotmail.com
David Gomez Maestre
http://www.davidgomezmaestre.com/web
Diego Naguel
http://www.diedie.com.ar
Donny Nguyen
donny@donnynguyen.com
http://www.donnynguyen.com
Emanuele Kabu
tet5uo@hotmail.it
http://www.emanuelekabu.org
Emily Watkins
http://www.emily-watkins.co.uk
Fred One Litch
freddiethepainter@yahoo.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34700121...
Frida Stenmark
fridastenmark@gmail.com
http://ohmondieu.blogg.se
Hisanori Yoshida
hisanoriyoshidajp@yahoo.co.jp
http://hiruneweb.com
Hollis Brown Thornton
http://www.hollisbrownthornton.com
Isaac Tobin
http://www.isaactobin.com
Jamie Mills
http://jamiemillsillustration.blogspo...
Jamie Palmer / Pen & Gravy
penandgravy@gmail.com
Jane Pawalek
janepawalek@rocketmail.com
Jean-Charles Frémont / have a nice day
http://www.haveaniceday.me
http://works.haveaniceday.me
http://bealooser.tumblr.com
http://handgif.tumblr.com
http://motsgif.tumblr.com
http://motsgifcolors.tumblr.com
Jeffrey Decoster
http://www.jeffreydecoster.com
Jennifer Davis
http://www.jenniferdavisart.blogspot.com
http://www.jenniferdavisart.com
Julia Pott
http://www.juliapott.com
Jung Eun Park
red-colored@hotmail.com
http://www.jungeunpark.com
http://jungeun.tumblr.com
Kasia Breska
http://twitter.com/PencilBoxGirl
http://kasiabreska.yolasite.com
http://pinterest.com/pencilboxgirl/pins
Kate Pugsley
http://www.katepugsley.com
Kaye Blegvad
http://www.kayeblegvad.com
Kelly Lasserre
http://www.kellylasserre.com
Kristen Donegan
http://bkdonegan.blogspot.co.uk
Leah Goren
http://www.leahgoren.com
Liam Stevens
liam@liamstevens.com
http://www.liamstevens.com
Lisa Naylor
lisanaylorartist@hotmail.com
http://www.lisanaylorartist.co.uk
Lyvia Aylward-Davies
lyviaalexandra@me.com
http://oliverandlyvia.tumblr.com
Manuel San Payo
manuelsanpayo@me.com
Marina Molares
marinamolares@gmail.com
http://marinamolares.com
Mark Lazenby
mark@marklazenby.co.uk
info@gloryillustration.com
http://www.marklazenby.co.uk
http://www.gloryillustration.com
Nayoun Kim
nyhy0616@gmail.com
http://nykillustration.blogspot.kr
http://www.nayounkim.com
http://society6.com/NayounKim/prints
Nikki Painter
http://nikkipainter.com
Olya Leontieva
leontieva.olya@gmail.com
Pablo S. Herrero
http://lasogaalcielo.blogspot.com.es
Paolo Lim
paolo.y.lim@gmail.com
http://www.supersteady.org
Paula Mills
http://www.paulamillsillustration.com
Peter Carrington
peter.carrington@ymail.com
http://petercarrington.co.uk
@PeterCarrington
Pia Bramley
hello@piabramley.co.uk
http://www.piabramley.co.uk
http://www.piabramley.tumblr.com
Rosalind Monks
info@rosalindmonks.com
http://www.rosalindmonks.com
Sandra Dieckmann
http://www.sandradieckmann.com
http://sandradieckmann.blogspot.com
running_hang@sandradieckmann
Sara Landeta
http://www.saralandeta.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-La...
Sarah Esteje
http://abadidabou.tumblr.com
Sophie Leblanc
http://www.sophieleblanc.com
Sophie Lécuyer
mllesophielecuyer@gmail.com
http://sophielecuyer.blogspot.com
http://sophielecuyer.ultra-book.com
Stephanie Kubo
mail@stephaniekubo.com
http://www.stephaniekubo.com
Steve Wilkin
steve.wilkin@btinternet.com
http://www.stevewilkin.co.uk
Timothy Hull
http://www.fridaynotes.com
Valerie Roybal
http://valerieroybal.com
http://valerieroybal.tumblr.com
Valero Doval
http://www.valerodoval.com
Violeta Lopiz
violopiz@yahoo.es
http://www.violetalopiz.com
Wendy Marchbanks
wendy@marchbanks.co.uk
Whooli Chen
http://www.behance.net/whoolichen
Ana Montiel
http://www.anamontiel.com
Angela Dalinger
http://angeladalinger.tumblr.com
http://angela-dalinger.jimdo.com
Betsy Walton
betsy@morningcraft.com
http://www.morningcraft.com
Bovey Lee
http://boveylee.com
http://boveylee.wordpress.com
Bryce Wymer
http://brycewymer.com
http://brycewymer.blogspot.co.uk
Caitlin Foster
http://caitlinfoster.tumblr.com
Carine Brancowitz
http://www.carinebrancowitz.com
http://facebook.com/carinebrancowitz
Catherina Turk / dear pumpernickel
http://catherinaturk.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dearpumperni...
Cheeming Boey
boey@iamboey.com
http://iamboey.com
http://www.facebook.com/BoeyCheeming
http://twitter.com/iamboey
Chris Keegan
info@chriskeegan.co.uk
http://www.chriskeegan.co.uk
Craig McCann
http://www.fishink.co.uk
http://www.fishinkblog.wordpress.com
http://fishink.carbonmade.com/project...
Dain Fagerholm
http://dainfagerholm.com
Dale Wylie
dale_wylieone@hotmail.com
David Gomez Maestre
http://www.davidgomezmaestre.com/web
Diego Naguel
http://www.diedie.com.ar
Donny Nguyen
donny@donnynguyen.com
http://www.donnynguyen.com
Emanuele Kabu
tet5uo@hotmail.it
http://www.emanuelekabu.org
Emily Watkins
http://www.emily-watkins.co.uk
Fred One Litch
freddiethepainter@yahoo.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34700121...
Frida Stenmark
fridastenmark@gmail.com
http://ohmondieu.blogg.se
Hisanori Yoshida
hisanoriyoshidajp@yahoo.co.jp
http://hiruneweb.com
Hollis Brown Thornton
http://www.hollisbrownthornton.com
Isaac Tobin
http://www.isaactobin.com
Jamie Mills
http://jamiemillsillustration.blogspo...
Jamie Palmer / Pen & Gravy
penandgravy@gmail.com
Jane Pawalek
janepawalek@rocketmail.com
Jean-Charles Frémont / have a nice day
http://www.haveaniceday.me
http://works.haveaniceday.me
http://bealooser.tumblr.com
http://handgif.tumblr.com
http://motsgif.tumblr.com
http://motsgifcolors.tumblr.com
Jeffrey Decoster
http://www.jeffreydecoster.com
Jennifer Davis
http://www.jenniferdavisart.blogspot.com
http://www.jenniferdavisart.com
Julia Pott
http://www.juliapott.com
Jung Eun Park
red-colored@hotmail.com
http://www.jungeunpark.com
http://jungeun.tumblr.com
Kasia Breska
http://twitter.com/PencilBoxGirl
http://kasiabreska.yolasite.com
http://pinterest.com/pencilboxgirl/pins
Kate Pugsley
http://www.katepugsley.com
Kaye Blegvad
http://www.kayeblegvad.com
Kelly Lasserre
http://www.kellylasserre.com
Kristen Donegan
http://bkdonegan.blogspot.co.uk
Leah Goren
http://www.leahgoren.com
Liam Stevens
liam@liamstevens.com
http://www.liamstevens.com
Lisa Naylor
lisanaylorartist@hotmail.com
http://www.lisanaylorartist.co.uk
Lyvia Aylward-Davies
lyviaalexandra@me.com
http://oliverandlyvia.tumblr.com
Manuel San Payo
manuelsanpayo@me.com
Marina Molares
marinamolares@gmail.com
http://marinamolares.com
Mark Lazenby
mark@marklazenby.co.uk
info@gloryillustration.com
http://www.marklazenby.co.uk
http://www.gloryillustration.com
Nayoun Kim
nyhy0616@gmail.com
http://nykillustration.blogspot.kr
http://www.nayounkim.com
http://society6.com/NayounKim/prints
Nikki Painter
http://nikkipainter.com
Olya Leontieva
leontieva.olya@gmail.com
Pablo S. Herrero
http://lasogaalcielo.blogspot.com.es
Paolo Lim
paolo.y.lim@gmail.com
http://www.supersteady.org
Paula Mills
http://www.paulamillsillustration.com
Peter Carrington
peter.carrington@ymail.com
http://petercarrington.co.uk
@PeterCarrington
Pia Bramley
hello@piabramley.co.uk
http://www.piabramley.co.uk
http://www.piabramley.tumblr.com
Rosalind Monks
info@rosalindmonks.com
http://www.rosalindmonks.com
Sandra Dieckmann
http://www.sandradieckmann.com
http://sandradieckmann.blogspot.com
running_hang@sandradieckmann
Sara Landeta
http://www.saralandeta.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sara-La...
Sarah Esteje
http://abadidabou.tumblr.com
Sophie Leblanc
http://www.sophieleblanc.com
Sophie Lécuyer
mllesophielecuyer@gmail.com
http://sophielecuyer.blogspot.com
http://sophielecuyer.ultra-book.com
Stephanie Kubo
mail@stephaniekubo.com
http://www.stephaniekubo.com
Steve Wilkin
steve.wilkin@btinternet.com
http://www.stevewilkin.co.uk
Timothy Hull
http://www.fridaynotes.com
Valerie Roybal
http://valerieroybal.com
http://valerieroybal.tumblr.com
Valero Doval
http://www.valerodoval.com
Violeta Lopiz
violopiz@yahoo.es
http://www.violetalopiz.com
Wendy Marchbanks
wendy@marchbanks.co.uk
Whooli Chen
http://www.behance.net/whoolichen
September 16, 2021
This is an odd, quirky little book, infused with a relatively contemporary attitude towards drawing. It’s fun to look at, a bit like wandering through an unexpectedly discovered independent art gallery or coffeehouse with local art on the walls on your lunch break.
As far as tips and tricks go, I’m not really sure how helpful this book would be. As a book for beginners it glosses over fundamentals, strangely going into basic ideas like paper choice, media and color theory at the very end. In fact, the book has a very elaborately designed cross-referencing system, which is certainly interesting, but I doubt I’d ever use it for myself. While I’m intrigued to see how another artist catalogs information, this is not the way I’d do it so the system wouldn’t do me much good. I, and I think most creative people would prefer to come up with their own system.
More experienced artists might find it helpful to browse when experiencing a blockage in ideas. Some drawings definitely sparked my imagination about new ways to enhance my sketchbook. Personally, I just just love looking at drawings so it’s worth it for that alone, though I’m glad I borrowed this from the library. I can’t image I’d buy it for my personal collection.
As far as tips and tricks go, I’m not really sure how helpful this book would be. As a book for beginners it glosses over fundamentals, strangely going into basic ideas like paper choice, media and color theory at the very end. In fact, the book has a very elaborately designed cross-referencing system, which is certainly interesting, but I doubt I’d ever use it for myself. While I’m intrigued to see how another artist catalogs information, this is not the way I’d do it so the system wouldn’t do me much good. I, and I think most creative people would prefer to come up with their own system.
More experienced artists might find it helpful to browse when experiencing a blockage in ideas. Some drawings definitely sparked my imagination about new ways to enhance my sketchbook. Personally, I just just love looking at drawings so it’s worth it for that alone, though I’m glad I borrowed this from the library. I can’t image I’d buy it for my personal collection.
May 8, 2017
I love this little book. I first borrowed it from the library on my Kindle, then bought the paperback because I know I'll want to refer to it again and again.
Helen Birch takes great pleasure in describing and celebrating a wide variety of techniques and styles. For me, this book is always inviting, never intimidating. It has encouraged me to push my self-taught art further, as I play with new media and mixed media.
I liked it so much I ordered hard copies of both of Birch's other two books. Looking forward to taking my time with them!
Helen Birch takes great pleasure in describing and celebrating a wide variety of techniques and styles. For me, this book is always inviting, never intimidating. It has encouraged me to push my self-taught art further, as I play with new media and mixed media.
I liked it so much I ordered hard copies of both of Birch's other two books. Looking forward to taking my time with them!
January 3, 2023
Stumbled upon this one at the library. For such a slim little book, it's packed with wonderful examples. It follows a similar structure throughout with introductory/explanatory text in one to two paragraphs on the left hand page, while each visual example takes up a full right-hand page. Birch explains briefly the technique(s) employed, the material(s) used, why it's effective in the example, and where similar approaches or variations might be found throughout the book. Delightfully fun to view and inspiring.
December 30, 2020
I came across this book at a good time, so it was significant for me though I can't say my rating is based off of a greater knowledge of other books in this category. Each spread (and it's a little book) shows a piece of art on one side and an explanation by Helen Birch on their other, pointing out concepts and technique along with categories and cross references to other works. For someone who has no fine arts background, it was the perfect mini class for me and I loved seeing (and having explained to me) how these contemporary artists achieved their drawings/multi media works.
July 26, 2025
I only skimmed this book, because the illustrations didn’t appeal to me at all.
It’s essentially a collection of experiments with various drawing materials, but it offers no systematic theory or method. Instead, the author simply lines up one artwork after another and adds superficial commentary. Frankly, it’s of little use to anyone looking for real guidance on creative drawing.
It’s essentially a collection of experiments with various drawing materials, but it offers no systematic theory or method. Instead, the author simply lines up one artwork after another and adds superficial commentary. Frankly, it’s of little use to anyone looking for real guidance on creative drawing.
March 20, 2019
Great compendium of ideas for inspiration, techniques and general perusal of the different types/styles of art there are out there. It's also great to see what you can do with basic materials, adapting them in ways that possibly you've never considered. All round good, quick read.
March 21, 2017
3.2
Some good art, some bad art. Interesting to think about modern artists in a way other than What is this it doesn't even make any sense.
Some good art, some bad art. Interesting to think about modern artists in a way other than What is this it doesn't even make any sense.
December 15, 2017
Some really big surprises are packed into this small book about drawing. The author fills the pages with drawing ideas and examples. I have spent the last few days drawing.
February 3, 2018
Loved this one! I go back and re-read or re-skim every few months.
September 3, 2019
Great art inspiration.
September 15, 2019
Waste of money
Terrible purchase. Very misleading. I learned nothing and thought the pictures in the book weren’t any good. Don’t waste your money!
Terrible purchase. Very misleading. I learned nothing and thought the pictures in the book weren’t any good. Don’t waste your money!
September 29, 2019
This would better titled as “Collage: A new definition of drawing”. The title “Freehand” suggests a very different book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews