How to Draw Cool Stuff: Shading, Textures and Optical Illusions

by Catherine V. Holmes

“How to Draw Cool Basics, Shading, Texture, Pattern and Optical Illusions” is the second book in the How to Draw Cool Stuff series. Inside you will find simple illustrations that cover the necessities of drawing cool stuff. Specific exercises are provided that offer step-by-step guidelines for drawing a variety of subjects. Each lesson starts with an easy-to-draw shape that will become the basic structure of the drawing. From there, each step adds elements to that structure, allowing the artist to build on their creation and make a more detailed image. Starting with the basic forms, the artist is provided a guide to help see objects in terms of simplified shapes. Instructions for shading to add depth, contrast, character and movement to a drawing are then covered. The varieties of texture and pattern that can be included in an artwork offer another layer of interest and depth to a design. These elements are necessary to indicate the way something looks like it feels in a work (texture) or creating the repetition of shapes, lines or colors (patterns). Illustrated optical illusions involve images that are sensed and perceived to be different from what they really are, showing examples of how the mind and the eyes can play tricks on each other. All you need is a piece of paper, a pencil and an eraser and you are ready to draw cool stuff. Once the drawing is complete, it can be colored, shaded or designed in any way you like to make it original. Following these exercises is a great way to practice your craft and begin seeing things in terms of simple shapes within a complex object.

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction, Reference, Crafts

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2015

Reviews

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent companion to the How to Draw Cool Stuff: Drawing Guide For Teachers and Students. It again uses simple and easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions for drawing a wide variety of subjects but this time includes detailed information on shading and texture.

I am always a bit hesitant about shading my drawings, but now I feel equipped to attempt it. I am definitely eager to pull out my sketchbook.

This book has a bit more written instruction and description, which is helpful in learning the different types of shading and texture covered in these examples.

Again I would recommend this to everyone from beginner to advanced artist, although I do recommend starting with the Drawing Guide in order to become comfortable with breaking down objects into shapes before getting into the more complicated shading.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Library Tales Publishing for providing an e-arc for review.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful art instruction book that would make a great homeschool curriculum. There are assignments to teach you various art basics like shading, perspective, etc. There's quite a lot of content and there are lots of examples and illustrations. Recommended.

I read a digital ARC of this book for review.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an artist this books is an amazing inspiration. I have reviewed two books, How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students and How to Draw Cool Stuff: Shading, Textures and Optical Illusions. The artist has shared materials with perfect techniques for sketches. Each and every step is mentioned thoroughly. Definitely, I would like to give 5 stars to the book. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

How to Draw Cool Stuff is a series of simple tutorial lesson books for learning drawing, written by Catherine V. Holmes. Originally published in 2015, this reformat and re-release from Library Tales is 239 pages and is available in hardcover format in this edition, other formats are available in other editions. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free, (as are the companion books in the series).

This volume presents concepts and lessons in shading, texture, pattern, and realism/optical illusions. Although firmly outside the target audience (young students and their facilitators), I found quite a lot of useful information here. The book has an accessible and direct style with information presented in an easy to understand format. Most of the lessons are divided into concepts (know), information (understand), and tutorials (do). Vocabulary and ancillary information are provided in each tutorial segment under their own headings.

The concepts are very simple and the tutorial lessons include blank areas on each page for students to practice and master specific techniques. The tutorials are grouped into thematic chapters: basic elements of design, shading, texture & pattern, optical illusions, and a sort of synergistic chapter combining the rest of the tutorials into lessons for drawing "cool stuff" (t-rex, animals, self-portrait, and a bunch of others).

The book is laid out as, and would work very well as, lesson plan hand-outs for workshop, classroom, or homeschool use. This would also be a good choice for adults who spend time with young kids to improve their "draw with me" skills.

Four and a half stars. Very simple but useful for classroom and home use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Katie Link · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not entirely artistic, but this has helped me out in some areas to where I can be a little more confident in the crafts that I make with the kids. Unfortunately for me, I have been using my kindle, and not able to hide the different stages of drawings since it all appears on the same page as once. I can say though, that I have a better handle on drawing people and using shading because of this helpful book!

[shana tackett]

Very educational and inspiring!!

This was so fun to flip through and try different techniques! Such great information! A lot of really cool "fun facts." Best of all, it's beneficial to the beginner as well as the advanced artists! I also noticed that there's a few more books by this author with even more great ideas! I'm really excited to check them out! 💜💙💜

[Angela Rohde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic drawing book! I would absolutely use this in my curriculum or classroom for learning to draw for students of any age. Excellent lessons by Catherine Holmes, and step by step directions.

The thing I liked the best about this book was the, “Know, Understand, Do” pages preceding every lesson. So many step-by-step books do not explain anything about the art process or the vocabulary and terms of what the student is learning. This book goes into depth explaining vocabulary and methodology of each lesson in an easy to understand way.

I will look for more of Catherine Holmes‘s books in the future, knowing I will be getting a thorough understanding of the subject, and will be sure to recommend this to students and parents.

Thank you to NetGalley and Library Publishing‘s for providing a free copy of this book for my honest opinion.

[Vidya Tiru · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like with the other book in the series, this one brings with it tons of value to the reader: in terms of instruction, basics of drawing (here for shading and texturing more specifically), and allows readers/student artists to work on cool optical illusions!!
Lesson formats are similar but not repetitive, and the drawings are also not repetitive within this book and even if we consider the first book in the series. From flowers and fruits to portraits and line drawings, from mandalas and doodles to my favorite type of optical illusions (the MC Escher type!), this book has all this and so much more for teachers and students alike to explore..
Disclaimer: I got a digital review copy of this books from Netgalley originally and these are my honest opinions of the book. Please note that the review is based on a more recent reading of the book (library/personal copy)

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives detailed, step by step instructions for aspiring vartists while teaching basic principles of drawing. The tutorials are well organized, easy to understand and the tips and techniques are excellent. Which makes this book helpful in learning the different types of shading and texture covered in these examples. I had a lot of fun learning from this book and this is such a great drawing book that I recommend for all artists either starting or advanced!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc.

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book by this author I have had the please of reading. The tutorials are well organized and explained and the tips and techniques are excellent. I highly recommend this book to artists new to drawing and this would maje an excellent gift to young artists. I loved the sea horse and regular horse tutorials and so much more. The book is very useful fir understanding light, Shading and basic shapes. Very well written.

[John Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

less a how to and more a general theory book

My son is in junior high, grade 8, and many of the ways of practicing technique that he is currently doing are shown here too. Instead of texture on a hand, it was an image divided into six like a wheel but the exercise was to practice much of the same.
I plan to hand him a bank sketchbook and this and see what comes over the winter break.

[Robert Romberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to Draw Cool Stuff: Shading

This was actually a cool book to read. The information is detailed enough to get you going even if you have never drawn before. Simple step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow and sample drawings to show how to get there. It is a good book for young or old looking to learn more about drawing.

[Evil Secret Ninja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a much better drawing book. I enjoy learning to draw new things and I am working on improving my skills. Only thing I did not like was that there were things I just did not want to draw in the book but there always are in art books. I have to make it okay to not draw the things I don't want to draw and move on to the next lesson.

[Warren Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I enjoyed this book and found the practical exercises extremely useful. Catherine has done a fantastic job with this artistic volume. I look forward to reading the other books.

[Natasha Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book it explains,and shows step by step instructions that are easily understandable

I would recommend this book 2 anyone who loves to draws .Especially good 4 someone who likes 2 doodle but might not know some of the basic techniques. You will by the time your done

[Nettie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valuable tool for teachers!

So many great exercises for students to do to hone their skills! Great sub activities too! Will definitely check out the others in this series and buy all of them!

[Mellissa Bushby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cool! Not for advanced or experienced artists at all, but great for youngsters looking to hone a few skills or considering a future in graphics.

3.5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher, author and NetGalley for my ARC.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book i found extremely helpful for myself as I enjoy drawing and it has taught me alot of different techniques and ways to use these skills. I like how it's a step to step guide and draws upon a variety of context and subject.

[Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book i found extremely helpful for myself as I enjoy drawing and it has taught me alot of different techniques and ways to use these skills. I like how it's a step to step guide and draws upon a variety of context and subject.

[Leonardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book.

This books is very well explained how to start to draw. It explain the basic phase by phase and it's superb for people that don't know how to draw.

[Daniela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with drawing ideas for people of any age with step-by-step instructions. Great reference guide

[SkyGrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool!

Love this book! Very helpful to push your art further. Fantastic for beginners and even more advanced artists. Great help when you are stuck in a rut!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book in the series to learn step by step basic drawing and/or improve your technique.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great instructional book

Breaks down the basic information in an easy to understand format and provides examples. I highly recommend this series of books

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

It was good. It teaches the basics of the basics. I suggest a higher level if you have year 1 done.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I find Ms. Holmes' instructions easy to follow, and her advice is always useful. This book has some particularly fun content.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for the beginner and advanced alike

This is one of the best books I've ever read on learning how to draw.
This book has everything a rank beginner could want. It breaks down material from the simple shape of an object to a fully shaded rendition.
The different techniques of shading are shown quite well, without a lot of unnecessary extra explanations.
There is also many ti

[julie morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

Been looking for something since Zen coloring books came out. I now can make my own designs and ideas but make them pop. I would recommend this to everyone who has an imagination but not the know how. I was pleasantly surprised and hope she has other books out there

[Miss Jennifer Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very detailed and informative, so much so I brought a hard copy

This is an excellent tool for beginners or those wishing to refresh their skills. A clear, concise and practical guide.

[Shania Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome instructions

I just drew two objects in this book and they look amazing I would definitely recommend this book. Thanks a lot! I understand art a little better now. I wish I could post my pictures