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How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons and Events
How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons and Events is a step-by-step drawing guide that illustrates popular celebrations, holidays and events for your drawing pleasure. From the Chinese New Year to April Fools' Day, Father's Day to Halloween, Christmas and New Year's Eve - this book covers over 100 fun days, holidays, seasons and events, and offers simple lessons that will teach you how to draw like a pro and get you in the spirit of whichever season it may be! The third book in the How To Draw Cool Stuff series, this exciting new title will teach you how to create simple illustrations using basic shapes and a drawing technique that simplifies the process of drawing, all while helping you construct height, width and depth in your work. It will guide you through the creative thought process and provide plenty of ideas to get you started. The lessons in this book will also teach you how to think like an artist and remind you that you are only limited by your imagination!
425 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2016
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147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 6, 2019
So much great stuff in here!
This book on drawing cool stuff of holidays, seasons and events is packed full of step by step instructions, tips, and ideas I wouldn't have thought of! Great book and I got it on a free day!
This book on drawing cool stuff of holidays, seasons and events is packed full of step by step instructions, tips, and ideas I wouldn't have thought of! Great book and I got it on a free day!
September 19, 2017
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5 of 5
"How to Draw..." books typically don't impress me, but this is now the second book of this sort from Catherine V. Holmes that has excited me for what it is doing.
Holmes breaks down a drawing so that it starts with very obvious, basic shapes and then she adds bits and pieces so that the basic shape begins to look like the intended object and she finishes it with shading. Sometimes the leap from basic drawing to finished, shaded drawing seems like a pretty large jump, but I haven't yet read Holmes' book about shading which might help the beginning artist make that leap.
Holmes offers some very important tips in her foreword, including: draw lightly so that you can erase, and to step away from it for a while if it is going the way you want and are getting frustrated with it.
This particular book, as the subtitle suggests, focuses on Holidays and special events. Holmes goes through it month by month, hitting all the major holidays and giving a sample or two of simple drawings to help identify the holiday.
I really appreciate how simple Holmes makes this look, and yet her finished drawings look pretty spectacular. Mine don't look quite the same, when I try these drawings, but that's okay. She's even says in her foreword that the reader's drawings shouldn't look exactly like her.
In addition to the drawings and the step-by-step process, Holmes gives the reader a list of "Special Days" for each month so that the reader/artist can try making some different holiday/special day drawings. Reading these lists is almost worth the price of the book alone. Who knew (besides Ms. Holmes) that, for instance, in July we have a "Compliment Your Mirror Day" and a "Cheer Up the Lonely Day" and "Embrace Your Geekness Day" and many, many others?
Looking for a good book? How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons and Events is a great, "how to draw" book by Catherine V. Holmes that lays it out in simple terms, offers a great looking finished drawing, and prompts the reader with many fun holidays and special event days throughout the year.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
"How to Draw..." books typically don't impress me, but this is now the second book of this sort from Catherine V. Holmes that has excited me for what it is doing.
Holmes breaks down a drawing so that it starts with very obvious, basic shapes and then she adds bits and pieces so that the basic shape begins to look like the intended object and she finishes it with shading. Sometimes the leap from basic drawing to finished, shaded drawing seems like a pretty large jump, but I haven't yet read Holmes' book about shading which might help the beginning artist make that leap.
Holmes offers some very important tips in her foreword, including: draw lightly so that you can erase, and to step away from it for a while if it is going the way you want and are getting frustrated with it.
This particular book, as the subtitle suggests, focuses on Holidays and special events. Holmes goes through it month by month, hitting all the major holidays and giving a sample or two of simple drawings to help identify the holiday.
I really appreciate how simple Holmes makes this look, and yet her finished drawings look pretty spectacular. Mine don't look quite the same, when I try these drawings, but that's okay. She's even says in her foreword that the reader's drawings shouldn't look exactly like her.
In addition to the drawings and the step-by-step process, Holmes gives the reader a list of "Special Days" for each month so that the reader/artist can try making some different holiday/special day drawings. Reading these lists is almost worth the price of the book alone. Who knew (besides Ms. Holmes) that, for instance, in July we have a "Compliment Your Mirror Day" and a "Cheer Up the Lonely Day" and "Embrace Your Geekness Day" and many, many others?
Looking for a good book? How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons and Events is a great, "how to draw" book by Catherine V. Holmes that lays it out in simple terms, offers a great looking finished drawing, and prompts the reader with many fun holidays and special event days throughout the year.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2020
Great stuff
Easy steps. Good to follow along. Have many new picture ideas. Can't wait to get more practice in tomorrow. Also have to read other books in series.
Easy steps. Good to follow along. Have many new picture ideas. Can't wait to get more practice in tomorrow. Also have to read other books in series.
June 13, 2016
“How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons and Events” by Catherine Holmes is part of the ‘How to Draw Cool Stuff’ series and is aptly named. There are step-by-step instructions guiding one from starting with a series of circles, ovals, and lines to transform into a wide variety of pictures that are appropriate for holidays and observances throughout the year. Arranged according to the calendar year, the drawings start with a couple of versions of the baby New Year and continue to provide ideas for drawing representations of holidays including Valentine’s and Easter, as well as celebrations such as weddings and birthdays. Instructions for embellishing the basic picture or combining a group of drawings are also given.
I think everyone has an inclination to doodle or draw, but many are like me and feel that a lot of talent is required. This book is such fun and shows one how to distill a drawing down to basic elements. I love that the author stresses that the goal is not to exactly duplicate the sample drawings but to give them an individual twist (thereby encouraging those of us who are very clumsy at executing the transformation from crooked circles and ovals with disproportionate lines and angles). It is remarkable to see how to start with simple lines and gradually create an overall picture with depth. There are a couple of other titles that cover other aspects of drawing, including the shading that gives a 3-D effect to one’s drawings but this very hefty book includes such a plethora of designs to attempt that I daresay it will keep one preoccupied for many, many days. Naturally, I didn’t have time to try out everything (nor could I find my drawing pencils, lol) but my imagination is definitely stimulated and I look forward to trying my hand at a wide variety of drawings. I suspect it would be a little easier to have a print book in front of one but this still is a fantastic resource that will appeal to folks of any age who can hold a pencil (and eraser) and let imagination soar.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
I think everyone has an inclination to doodle or draw, but many are like me and feel that a lot of talent is required. This book is such fun and shows one how to distill a drawing down to basic elements. I love that the author stresses that the goal is not to exactly duplicate the sample drawings but to give them an individual twist (thereby encouraging those of us who are very clumsy at executing the transformation from crooked circles and ovals with disproportionate lines and angles). It is remarkable to see how to start with simple lines and gradually create an overall picture with depth. There are a couple of other titles that cover other aspects of drawing, including the shading that gives a 3-D effect to one’s drawings but this very hefty book includes such a plethora of designs to attempt that I daresay it will keep one preoccupied for many, many days. Naturally, I didn’t have time to try out everything (nor could I find my drawing pencils, lol) but my imagination is definitely stimulated and I look forward to trying my hand at a wide variety of drawings. I suspect it would be a little easier to have a print book in front of one but this still is a fantastic resource that will appeal to folks of any age who can hold a pencil (and eraser) and let imagination soar.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
January 24, 2019
Get Your Creative Juices Flowing!
Wow! The author/artist/teacher Catherine V. Holmes has done it again! In this 3rd "How to Draw Cool Stuff" book, we are treated to more drawing how-to wisdom that is based around Holidays, Seasons and Events. In addition many of the multi-cultural holidays that are celebrated in America (but note this book is an excellent drawing resource no matter where you live...unless you live in a part of the world that does not draw), there are drawings of things inspired by weddings, birthdays, graduation, babyhood...just use the LOOK INSIDE feature to view the Table of Contents...there are over 140 items with drawing instructions. So if you just wanted a few ideas for drawing your own holiday/event cards or crafts..or want to use the book to teach yourself or your kids to draw...it is a veritable treasure. Some of my favorites are the lobster and crab, the scooped and soft-serve ice cream cones, old-fashioned carousel horse, fireworks, Day of the Dead and Halloween spooky-type things...my list could go on forever. In addition, the author provides helpful tips for both beginning and more advanced artists. Like suggesting you draw a larger image than you need, then shrink it on a copier, which results in a more detailed and "professional" looking drawing. One thing that may be of concern (or NOT) if you are buying the Kindle ebook version is that while the text size can be changed, the art is not zoomable. This is not a concern for me personally, as I can easily read the fixed picture/text images on a 7-inch tablet. And it can be viewed at a larger size, obviously, on a laptop or PC screen. But if you prefer larger-sized images, remember the How to Draw Cool Stuff books can be purchased in a large paperback version, so there is your solution. I am glad to have both the ebook and printed book options available. If you HOMESCHOOL, this is a fantastic resource for your kids, with over 140 drawing ideas. If someone I knew said "Gee, I'd like to have a good intro drawing book"..I'd probably start them off with the original "How to Draw Cool Stuff" with the BLUE COVER. But if you are into designing your own cards and holiday-themed crafts...this book will definitely INSPIRE and INSTRUCT you to new levels. In short, I love this series and I love this book. Ok, back to drawing I go...
Wow! The author/artist/teacher Catherine V. Holmes has done it again! In this 3rd "How to Draw Cool Stuff" book, we are treated to more drawing how-to wisdom that is based around Holidays, Seasons and Events. In addition many of the multi-cultural holidays that are celebrated in America (but note this book is an excellent drawing resource no matter where you live...unless you live in a part of the world that does not draw), there are drawings of things inspired by weddings, birthdays, graduation, babyhood...just use the LOOK INSIDE feature to view the Table of Contents...there are over 140 items with drawing instructions. So if you just wanted a few ideas for drawing your own holiday/event cards or crafts..or want to use the book to teach yourself or your kids to draw...it is a veritable treasure. Some of my favorites are the lobster and crab, the scooped and soft-serve ice cream cones, old-fashioned carousel horse, fireworks, Day of the Dead and Halloween spooky-type things...my list could go on forever. In addition, the author provides helpful tips for both beginning and more advanced artists. Like suggesting you draw a larger image than you need, then shrink it on a copier, which results in a more detailed and "professional" looking drawing. One thing that may be of concern (or NOT) if you are buying the Kindle ebook version is that while the text size can be changed, the art is not zoomable. This is not a concern for me personally, as I can easily read the fixed picture/text images on a 7-inch tablet. And it can be viewed at a larger size, obviously, on a laptop or PC screen. But if you prefer larger-sized images, remember the How to Draw Cool Stuff books can be purchased in a large paperback version, so there is your solution. I am glad to have both the ebook and printed book options available. If you HOMESCHOOL, this is a fantastic resource for your kids, with over 140 drawing ideas. If someone I knew said "Gee, I'd like to have a good intro drawing book"..I'd probably start them off with the original "How to Draw Cool Stuff" with the BLUE COVER. But if you are into designing your own cards and holiday-themed crafts...this book will definitely INSPIRE and INSTRUCT you to new levels. In short, I love this series and I love this book. Ok, back to drawing I go...
March 23, 2017
This Book is great for anyone who thinks they can't draw because if it could help me draw faces and animals that you can even recognize what they are as apposed to a 2nd grade art project look so even those of us who think we can't draw should check this one out.
I have always loved to try to draw and create diffrent types of art but have always been held back by the fact that I can't draw I took every type of art class I could in high school but unfortunately I just don't have the skill. I have discovered a renewed love of creating with Mixed Media and what I love about it is that I don't have to draw I can use stencils and stamps but as I advance in it I once again wanted to be able to draw somethings even if they are't perfect. This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
I have always loved to try to draw and create diffrent types of art but have always been held back by the fact that I can't draw I took every type of art class I could in high school but unfortunately I just don't have the skill. I have discovered a renewed love of creating with Mixed Media and what I love about it is that I don't have to draw I can use stencils and stamps but as I advance in it I once again wanted to be able to draw somethings even if they are't perfect. This review was originally posted on Books In Brogan
September 28, 2017
I love how the author breaks the drawing all the way down to basic shapes and goes step by step through creating each one. This helps build confidence. I always find that my creativity wants to come out around the holidays, so I especially enjoyed that the book is set up chronologically so I could look through each section based on the time of year. I also found that being reminded that it is perfectly fine if my drawing doesn't look just like her drawing made me want to keep practicing rather than being discouraged. I am looking forward to picking up a physical copy so I can refer back to it throughout the year.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2023
amazing and good tips!
Simple tips for drawling and even has each holiday!! This is totally worth getting. 5 out of 5 recommend it has the easy tips and even my daughter can do it with me ! !
Simple tips for drawling and even has each holiday!! This is totally worth getting. 5 out of 5 recommend it has the easy tips and even my daughter can do it with me ! !
January 5, 2019
Very cool drawing book. A bit difficult for young children but full of great techniques.
April 14, 2020
Great book
Very easy to understand and very educational. Definitely helped my drawing skills. A must for any learner. Very Good value.
Very easy to understand and very educational. Definitely helped my drawing skills. A must for any learner. Very Good value.
October 26, 2020
Some cool stuff
Would have liked it better if the kindle controls worked, once I started the book I couldn’t get out. Very frustrating
Would have liked it better if the kindle controls worked, once I started the book I couldn’t get out. Very frustrating
November 23, 2021
Loved this book!
Gave me and kiddo quiet drawing time after work. Shading is becoming easier. She is using many techniques in this book. Thank you 😊.
Gave me and kiddo quiet drawing time after work. Shading is becoming easier. She is using many techniques in this book. Thank you 😊.
August 29, 2023
garbage
There is500 Pages of Crap That Keeps repeating over and over Agian very boarding and is stupid Baby cray nothing cool
There is500 Pages of Crap That Keeps repeating over and over Agian very boarding and is stupid Baby cray nothing cool
November 12, 2023
Some really excellent drawing ideas for Events, Seasons and Holidays with step by step guidelines.
March 15, 2017
How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons and Events by Catherine Holmes gives step-by-step instructions guiding one from starting with a series of circles, ovals, and lines to transform into a wide variety of pictures that are appropriate for holidays and observances throughout the year. Arranged according to the calendar year, the drawings start with a couple of versions of the baby New Year and continue to provide ideas for drawing representations of holidays including Valentine’s and Easter, as well as celebrations such as weddings and birthdays. Instructions for embellishing the basic picture or combining a group of drawings are also given.
I received the advanced reader's copy from Library Tales Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received the advanced reader's copy from Library Tales Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2017
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons and Events is a step-by-step drawing guide that illustrates popular celebrations, holidays and events for your drawing pleasure. From the Chinese New Year to April Fools' Day, Father's Day to Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve - this book covers over 100 fun days, holidays, seasons and events, and offers simple lessons that will teach you how to draw like a pro and get you in the spirit of whichever season it may be!
The third book in the How To Draw Cool Stuff series, this exciting new title will teach you how to create simple illustrations using basic shapes and a drawing technique that simplifies the process of drawing, all while helping you construct height, width and depth in your work. It will guide you through the creative thought process and provide plenty of ideas to get you started. The lessons in this book will also teach you how to think like an artist and remind you that you are only limited by your imagination!
REVIEW by
Moon Shine Art Spot
How to draw cool stuff is a great how to book for anyone behinning to draw. I love the variety of projects and the easy to follow, step by step illustrations. This book would be great for children or adults that want to begin drawing. I have always loved drawing books like this, and even people who do crafts could use this book for ideas about simple projects or artwork to put on holiday projects.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in drawing realistically recognizable sketches, A great step by step start. I received this book free of charge in order to provide an honest review.
How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons and Events is a step-by-step drawing guide that illustrates popular celebrations, holidays and events for your drawing pleasure. From the Chinese New Year to April Fools' Day, Father's Day to Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve - this book covers over 100 fun days, holidays, seasons and events, and offers simple lessons that will teach you how to draw like a pro and get you in the spirit of whichever season it may be!
The third book in the How To Draw Cool Stuff series, this exciting new title will teach you how to create simple illustrations using basic shapes and a drawing technique that simplifies the process of drawing, all while helping you construct height, width and depth in your work. It will guide you through the creative thought process and provide plenty of ideas to get you started. The lessons in this book will also teach you how to think like an artist and remind you that you are only limited by your imagination!
REVIEW by
Moon Shine Art Spot
How to draw cool stuff is a great how to book for anyone behinning to draw. I love the variety of projects and the easy to follow, step by step illustrations. This book would be great for children or adults that want to begin drawing. I have always loved drawing books like this, and even people who do crafts could use this book for ideas about simple projects or artwork to put on holiday projects.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in drawing realistically recognizable sketches, A great step by step start. I received this book free of charge in order to provide an honest review.
February 16, 2018
Outstanding
If you have ever wanted to draw and did not think you could, think again! This book and others by this author will have you drawing in no time. You must practice just like learning cursive! It's a great feeling to see a completed drawing and have that sense of accomplishment.
If you have ever wanted to draw and did not think you could, think again! This book and others by this author will have you drawing in no time. You must practice just like learning cursive! It's a great feeling to see a completed drawing and have that sense of accomplishment.
March 14, 2017
If you are an amateur artist, a classroom teacher or even a stay at home mom, you will find this book to be a pleasurable book to use for a reference. I found it very well laid out and the instructions were clear and supported by illustrations. This book will not be one just put on the shelf to gather dust but will be one you will turn to again and again.
February 24, 2017
I have honestly not read a more beautifully designed, themed and simple drawing book before now!
I have an array of drawing books and none of them are at all like this one. In this book, set up in months of the year and themed with each month's major events such as; Easter with drawing rainy puddles, rabbits and daffodils.
I have also never managed to draw a convincing rose that didn't end up looking like layered semicircles, but with this books detailed illustrations and instructions, I managed it!
If you can't draw, can do a little but want more confidence or a complete novice, this book is sure to fire you up and make you proud of yourself and your talent as you will grow confident in tackling the most tricky of designs as have I!
I hope you pursue purchasing this book and giving it a whole hearted go, thank you to the publisher for allowing me a copy to review for you all!
I have an array of drawing books and none of them are at all like this one. In this book, set up in months of the year and themed with each month's major events such as; Easter with drawing rainy puddles, rabbits and daffodils.
I have also never managed to draw a convincing rose that didn't end up looking like layered semicircles, but with this books detailed illustrations and instructions, I managed it!
If you can't draw, can do a little but want more confidence or a complete novice, this book is sure to fire you up and make you proud of yourself and your talent as you will grow confident in tackling the most tricky of designs as have I!
I hope you pursue purchasing this book and giving it a whole hearted go, thank you to the publisher for allowing me a copy to review for you all!
April 3, 2025
How to Draw Cool Stuff: Holidays, Seasons, and Events
No need to give a “plot” for this one. It’s all in the title. What you see is what you get from that. This book attracted my attention because I’ve been wanting to get back into art for some time now. There just never seem to be enough hours in the day and the little two days you get for a weekend aren’t nearly enough when you have a crazy job that you despise. I majored in art in college but as we all know sometimes some things slip over the years. I skimmed through this pretty quickly. I skipped over the art terms, because they’re pretty basic for someone whose studied it. This is actually a better book to probably -own- than have a limited time use e-book version on a PC or tablet because some of the things to draw are actually (as the title says) cool. And you’d probably want a version of the book that you can have as a reference and use *as* you draw sitting by you. This is definitely a book I’d buy.
They did a good job covering the holidays but I was a little bit disappointed (tho really not that surprised) that the range didn’t include Wiccan days. Other than of course -Samhain- or as everyone knows it Halloween. We do have others. I think one other was mentioned – (one of the Equinoxes). Other than the things to draw themselves one of the best parts of the book I think for me was it gave all these special days to celebrate month by month. Some of the days were the most outlandish things you’d ever heard of. Like COME on! Who made *that* day up?
And I wondered to myself were these days really real. For example: Penguin Awareness Day (ok so that one not so unrealistic), but Run up the Flagpole and See If Anyone Salutes Day, Humiliation Day, Festival of Sleep Day, Play God Day, Peculiar People Day, (fit right in with that one), National Nothing Day, Fun at Work Day (snorts yeeeeeah that one will never happen unless they give us a off day), National Inane Answering Message Day are just a few. And those are just in January. It’s worth it to read this for all the crazy days it list. They even have a Appreciate Your Dragon Day-which I’m sure mine will just LOVE-.But I think this would be a good book for a beginner that wanted to get into art because it has the step by step illustrations and all the terminology. And I think it would also be good for someone that’s a more advanced artist that hasn’t done it in a while just to brush up on their skills. There’s a good variety of things to practice.
Rating: 7
No need to give a “plot” for this one. It’s all in the title. What you see is what you get from that. This book attracted my attention because I’ve been wanting to get back into art for some time now. There just never seem to be enough hours in the day and the little two days you get for a weekend aren’t nearly enough when you have a crazy job that you despise. I majored in art in college but as we all know sometimes some things slip over the years. I skimmed through this pretty quickly. I skipped over the art terms, because they’re pretty basic for someone whose studied it. This is actually a better book to probably -own- than have a limited time use e-book version on a PC or tablet because some of the things to draw are actually (as the title says) cool. And you’d probably want a version of the book that you can have as a reference and use *as* you draw sitting by you. This is definitely a book I’d buy.
They did a good job covering the holidays but I was a little bit disappointed (tho really not that surprised) that the range didn’t include Wiccan days. Other than of course -Samhain- or as everyone knows it Halloween. We do have others. I think one other was mentioned – (one of the Equinoxes). Other than the things to draw themselves one of the best parts of the book I think for me was it gave all these special days to celebrate month by month. Some of the days were the most outlandish things you’d ever heard of. Like COME on! Who made *that* day up?
And I wondered to myself were these days really real. For example: Penguin Awareness Day (ok so that one not so unrealistic), but Run up the Flagpole and See If Anyone Salutes Day, Humiliation Day, Festival of Sleep Day, Play God Day, Peculiar People Day, (fit right in with that one), National Nothing Day, Fun at Work Day (snorts yeeeeeah that one will never happen unless they give us a off day), National Inane Answering Message Day are just a few. And those are just in January. It’s worth it to read this for all the crazy days it list. They even have a Appreciate Your Dragon Day-which I’m sure mine will just LOVE-.But I think this would be a good book for a beginner that wanted to get into art because it has the step by step illustrations and all the terminology. And I think it would also be good for someone that’s a more advanced artist that hasn’t done it in a while just to brush up on their skills. There’s a good variety of things to practice.
Rating: 7
June 14, 2016
How to Draw Cool Stuff Review
Normally, I don’t do reviews because often I don’t read the genre and believe my opinion won’t be helpful. I do like to draw and would like to be better at it, so How to Draw Cool Stuff sounded like a fun read.
Author Catherine V. Holmes starts with an excellent preface that explains why we need art. She organizes the books by months of the years and significant holidays in each month. It isn’t a picture book with pages of sketches. It is more of a hands on guide book that takes you through each illustration.
I like the aspect that she builds on what you already know. It is written at a level that both children and adults can easily read and use the book. The real test was sitting down and trying to draw following the instructions. The results were amazingly good considering all I could find was a sticky note and an ink pen.
This is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to draw. It also lends itself to school, home school, children’s groups, even a day spent with the grandparents. As the person who used to shelf the drawing books in the library, this book is so much better than what’s currently out there.
I was given this book for a free and unbiased review.
Normally, I don’t do reviews because often I don’t read the genre and believe my opinion won’t be helpful. I do like to draw and would like to be better at it, so How to Draw Cool Stuff sounded like a fun read.
Author Catherine V. Holmes starts with an excellent preface that explains why we need art. She organizes the books by months of the years and significant holidays in each month. It isn’t a picture book with pages of sketches. It is more of a hands on guide book that takes you through each illustration.
I like the aspect that she builds on what you already know. It is written at a level that both children and adults can easily read and use the book. The real test was sitting down and trying to draw following the instructions. The results were amazingly good considering all I could find was a sticky note and an ink pen.
This is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to draw. It also lends itself to school, home school, children’s groups, even a day spent with the grandparents. As the person who used to shelf the drawing books in the library, this book is so much better than what’s currently out there.
I was given this book for a free and unbiased review.
June 14, 2016
This is a brilliant guide, for ages, to help you with your drawing skills. It is based round holidays, and has a good variety of images.
I like that each section has a step by step image, with details below it. This is helpful for those who are visual leaners and those who aren't, which means anyone can benefit from this book! I was impressed by the layout and amount of detail that was put into each section. I liked that it was split into Know, Understand and Do, which helps learners know what skills they are using and learning.
I was also won over by the fact that it had a section of vocabulary and an area that discussed what the holiday was and why it was important to those who celebrate it. This added a little extra learning, without youngsters realising they were doing it, and in a way that they are likely to remember, as they place the image they drew with the words and description, when recalling.
Overall, I think it is fantastic. It is enjoyable for all ages and something that young readers and artists will enjoy.
** I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
I like that each section has a step by step image, with details below it. This is helpful for those who are visual leaners and those who aren't, which means anyone can benefit from this book! I was impressed by the layout and amount of detail that was put into each section. I liked that it was split into Know, Understand and Do, which helps learners know what skills they are using and learning.
I was also won over by the fact that it had a section of vocabulary and an area that discussed what the holiday was and why it was important to those who celebrate it. This added a little extra learning, without youngsters realising they were doing it, and in a way that they are likely to remember, as they place the image they drew with the words and description, when recalling.
Overall, I think it is fantastic. It is enjoyable for all ages and something that young readers and artists will enjoy.
** I received this book for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
December 28, 2017
While I have no delusions that I will ever be a sought after artist, I enjoy dabbling in all media of art. I love this series of books! They are written in the voice of a very supportive, encouraging and patient teacher.
From the opening discussion of why art is important to the entertaining and whimsical images I can only dream about attempting to recreate (in my own way,) this is a gentle instructional book that gives hope that artistic skills can be nurtured in anyone. While I may be more likely to sit back and enjoy a hot beverage in January than draw a cup or cake, I am willing to give the puzzle piece images a try. And with some success on the easier shapes, I could be persuaded to follow the instructions of "draw lightly" and make my drawings unique. I will be working on drawing zodiac symbols and 3D numerals while I build my confidence.
A wonderful assortment of "special holidays" is included for each month.
From the opening discussion of why art is important to the entertaining and whimsical images I can only dream about attempting to recreate (in my own way,) this is a gentle instructional book that gives hope that artistic skills can be nurtured in anyone. While I may be more likely to sit back and enjoy a hot beverage in January than draw a cup or cake, I am willing to give the puzzle piece images a try. And with some success on the easier shapes, I could be persuaded to follow the instructions of "draw lightly" and make my drawings unique. I will be working on drawing zodiac symbols and 3D numerals while I build my confidence.
A wonderful assortment of "special holidays" is included for each month.
April 24, 2017
Amazing book for anyone and everyone who wishes to draw. Not just draw actually, but draw perfectly. The book teaches you draw step by step and very easily.
I'm sure if one keeps practicing, they'll be a pro at it.
The book covers illustrations inspired/ based on many Holidays, events and seasons.
Kudos to the author for coming up with such a good book.
I'm sure if one keeps practicing, they'll be a pro at it.
The book covers illustrations inspired/ based on many Holidays, events and seasons.
Kudos to the author for coming up with such a good book.
January 3, 2018
What an outstanding book. Broken down into monthly sections, it takes you through the year in pictures. This would be a great Christmas present for a budding artist to start art journalling.
May 1, 2019
Great how to draw book for all times of the year. Broken down month by month, you build on what you have learned. Obviously, some things will be easier than others to draw, but it's a good all around guide.
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May 7, 2019A very systematic way to improve any level of drawing skills. Thoughtfully presented and organized.
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