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Foundations of Drawing: A Practical Guide to Art History, Tools, Techniques, and Styles
From a leading art instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, a complete survey of drawing as an art form covering its history, materials, and key techniques, alongside step-by-step demonstrations. Foundations of Drawing is a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the history, aesthetics, methods, and materials of the drawing medium. Throughout, clearly defined demonstrations provide easy access to the practice of drawing as well as the history and development of core drawing techniques. Richly illustrated, the book contains reproductions of the finest master drawings from the fifteenth century to the present. Unlike other drawing instruction books that focus on step-by-step lessons exclusively, Foundations of Drawing provides readers with the context and background to help understand just why these materials and methods are so vital for successful drawing.
- GenresArtNonfictionDrawing
224 pages, Paperback
Published June 13, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 19, 2017
~3.5
I picked up Foundations of Drawing because I've always enjoyed casual doodling and am always interested in opportunites to improve my techniques. Foundations is a gorgeous book, with carefully chosen illustrations at least every other page. However, don't go into the book looking to learn basic drawing skills or improve your techniques. At its core, I think this is more of an art history/ art appreciation book. Only the last twenty pages or so, which are very high-level "walkthroughs" of still lives, portraits, figure studies, etc, were much in the direction of artistic instruction. The majority of the book delves deeply into the history of different materials and techniques as well as discussing various artistic schools and styles. While I didn't really learn anything to improve my art, I did learn a lot, from new artistic terms such as sfumato to the effects of different papers and brush materials. If you're interested in the history and logistics of art, or if you want a coffee table book full of gorgeous and thoughtfully-chosen artwork, then Foundations of Drawing may be worth a look.
~~I received an advanced reader copy of this ebook from the publisher, Ten Speed Press, in exchange for my honest review.~~
Cross-posted on BookLikes.
I picked up Foundations of Drawing because I've always enjoyed casual doodling and am always interested in opportunites to improve my techniques. Foundations is a gorgeous book, with carefully chosen illustrations at least every other page. However, don't go into the book looking to learn basic drawing skills or improve your techniques. At its core, I think this is more of an art history/ art appreciation book. Only the last twenty pages or so, which are very high-level "walkthroughs" of still lives, portraits, figure studies, etc, were much in the direction of artistic instruction. The majority of the book delves deeply into the history of different materials and techniques as well as discussing various artistic schools and styles. While I didn't really learn anything to improve my art, I did learn a lot, from new artistic terms such as sfumato to the effects of different papers and brush materials. If you're interested in the history and logistics of art, or if you want a coffee table book full of gorgeous and thoughtfully-chosen artwork, then Foundations of Drawing may be worth a look.
~~I received an advanced reader copy of this ebook from the publisher, Ten Speed Press, in exchange for my honest review.~~
Cross-posted on BookLikes.
June 24, 2017
"Foundations of Drawing" is an art book about the history, tools, materials, and techniques of drawing. I wish I had this book when I started learning how to draw. My original art instructor and many art books assumed that I already understood what various drawing terms meant or what mediums best worked with what paper. This book is cheap considering it'll save you money by explaining what supplies you really needed for what you want to do.
The book started off with a brief history of drawing, which looked at the various periods to see what styles dominated or changes took place. The author then described the various drawing tools and materials, including how to best use them and what papers or brushes work best with which mediums. This was so helpful and explained why I've felt frustrated at times. He also explained the advantages and disadvantages of the various mediums. He included watercolor and other paints when used in a "drawing" style.
He then covered a wide variety of drawing skills, like how to hold drawing tools; use grids; blend; erase; use line, shape, and hatching; create light and shade, and more. He clearly explained the various terms and how to do the skill. There were illustrations either showing a finished work that used a technique or demonstrating how to do it. A lot of the drawings were of nudes or figures, though he did describe the steps to take to compose and draw still life, interiors and architecture, as well as portraits and figures.
I expect to regularly consult this book until I settle down to a favored medium and style. I'd highly recommend this as a reference book for students and self-taught individuals who are serious about learning to draw. Don't expect a lot of step-by-step drawing projects but rather the basics of how to draw well that you can apply to any project.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
The book started off with a brief history of drawing, which looked at the various periods to see what styles dominated or changes took place. The author then described the various drawing tools and materials, including how to best use them and what papers or brushes work best with which mediums. This was so helpful and explained why I've felt frustrated at times. He also explained the advantages and disadvantages of the various mediums. He included watercolor and other paints when used in a "drawing" style.
He then covered a wide variety of drawing skills, like how to hold drawing tools; use grids; blend; erase; use line, shape, and hatching; create light and shade, and more. He clearly explained the various terms and how to do the skill. There were illustrations either showing a finished work that used a technique or demonstrating how to do it. A lot of the drawings were of nudes or figures, though he did describe the steps to take to compose and draw still life, interiors and architecture, as well as portraits and figures.
I expect to regularly consult this book until I settle down to a favored medium and style. I'd highly recommend this as a reference book for students and self-taught individuals who are serious about learning to draw. Don't expect a lot of step-by-step drawing projects but rather the basics of how to draw well that you can apply to any project.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
June 8, 2017
So as folks may or may not know, I consider myself primarily a painter by profession, and a reader by nature. So when a lovely pile of art books popped up in my reviewers queue, I felt obligated to take a look see.
The first thing to know, is that one should not attempt to read art books in EPub format. Normally I have the love, but these heavily illustrated books need to be either PDF or better still, hard-copy. To be fair, books like these are meant to be references and textbooks, so expecting them to be in paper format isn't unreasonable, and is probably still the easiest way to use them as intended.
"Foundations of Drawing" is a clear attempt at being a comprehensive text/reference book, and in that it works, including sections on composition and anatomy. This is however the type of text that will be more suited to classroom use than as a resource for self-learning. The the text is dense and wordy, but again, this is not unusual for a textbook aimed at mature users.
However, as a self-study course, this text many be too dry, the explanations too esoteric, particularly to younger users intent on diving into the creative pool with all speed. The language is formal, almost stilted, and information is delivered in chunks a little bigger than I find comfortable.
Overall, this really is a comprehensive text, but it needs the backup of an instructor and peer discussion to really get the most out of it.
The first thing to know, is that one should not attempt to read art books in EPub format. Normally I have the love, but these heavily illustrated books need to be either PDF or better still, hard-copy. To be fair, books like these are meant to be references and textbooks, so expecting them to be in paper format isn't unreasonable, and is probably still the easiest way to use them as intended.
"Foundations of Drawing" is a clear attempt at being a comprehensive text/reference book, and in that it works, including sections on composition and anatomy. This is however the type of text that will be more suited to classroom use than as a resource for self-learning. The the text is dense and wordy, but again, this is not unusual for a textbook aimed at mature users.
However, as a self-study course, this text many be too dry, the explanations too esoteric, particularly to younger users intent on diving into the creative pool with all speed. The language is formal, almost stilted, and information is delivered in chunks a little bigger than I find comfortable.
Overall, this really is a comprehensive text, but it needs the backup of an instructor and peer discussion to really get the most out of it.
August 12, 2017
After trying my last drawing book I thought I would pick up another and hopefully hit the jack pot again. Unfortunately for me this book fell a little short. There were some good things in this book that I found wonderful, but overall I was disappointed.
Here are the things I enjoyed. This book reads like a text book and the art history section was by far my favorite, but it seemed pretty short. There were some carefully chosen illustrations in this book that were helpful as well. Those were the parts I really enjoyed.
What I found lacking in this book was detailed descriptions about tools, and techniques. It did briefly cover those things in very short paragraphs that frankly were not geared toward someone seeking to learn the foundations of drawing. This seemed too advanced and unfortunately to brief. I am sure in a college course with a professor adding to the material it could be helpful, but as someone reading it on their own I did not get what I had hoped out of the book.
https://aseasonofbooks.wordpress.com/...
Here are the things I enjoyed. This book reads like a text book and the art history section was by far my favorite, but it seemed pretty short. There were some carefully chosen illustrations in this book that were helpful as well. Those were the parts I really enjoyed.
What I found lacking in this book was detailed descriptions about tools, and techniques. It did briefly cover those things in very short paragraphs that frankly were not geared toward someone seeking to learn the foundations of drawing. This seemed too advanced and unfortunately to brief. I am sure in a college course with a professor adding to the material it could be helpful, but as someone reading it on their own I did not get what I had hoped out of the book.
https://aseasonofbooks.wordpress.com/...
June 13, 2017
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Typically when I choose a drawing book I am looking for tips on how to improve my drawing and practice ideas. However I was pleasantly surprised by the historical information this book provided. I learned a lot of interesting facts I was not aware of. The book contained wide variety of full color reproductions of art work.
The book does go into detail on the technical aspect of drawing. Explaining different techniques and proving tips. However, I would have liked more step by step illustrations to practice on your own. I am a beginner so I was only able to complete two lessons.
There is a lot of knowledge to be gained from reading this book. The artwork displayed is very enjoyable. The detailed description of drawing tools is helpful for the beginner. But the technical drawing instructions are geared more towards the experienced artist.
Typically when I choose a drawing book I am looking for tips on how to improve my drawing and practice ideas. However I was pleasantly surprised by the historical information this book provided. I learned a lot of interesting facts I was not aware of. The book contained wide variety of full color reproductions of art work.
The book does go into detail on the technical aspect of drawing. Explaining different techniques and proving tips. However, I would have liked more step by step illustrations to practice on your own. I am a beginner so I was only able to complete two lessons.
There is a lot of knowledge to be gained from reading this book. The artwork displayed is very enjoyable. The detailed description of drawing tools is helpful for the beginner. But the technical drawing instructions are geared more towards the experienced artist.
March 7, 2017
I can't draw but I really enjoy this book, I learn a lot of new information about art history, tools, composition, and techniques. Al Gury's explanations are clear and easy to understand. I never read of Al Gury's books, but I found this book quite useful and detail. I will definitely check his other books because I learned so much from his book!
Thank you Netgalley for this book.
Thank you Netgalley for this book.
May 31, 2020
Excellent overview of the history of drawing and tools. Great for reference and inspiration. But it's not a beginner's how-to guide.
February 1, 2017
Fantastic and intresting book! Instead of the common how to draw books, this book goes deeper and was like taking a intro to drawing class where you really learn all the foundation skills and knowledge to take drawing seriously... though this is much more through than the intro to drawing classes I have taken. It covers: History, eras and styles; Materials and mediums-history of, types, uses; Elements of drawing and essential drawing skills, holding, measuring/sizing, methods, types of line, space, perspective, shading, value, texture, planes, position and drawing from photographs, and Content- asthetics, classicism, realism, abstract, architectural, portraits, human forms, and animals. It is really so very intresting to read if you have any interest in drawing or art at all. Could be used as a textbook but also is just informative for your average person as well. Enjoy!
December 24, 2017
Foundations of drawing is exactly what you'll expect from it, introduces the reader to drawing while offering a systematic view of this big theme. After the reassuring words that anyone can learn to draw, it runs through the history of drawing from prehistory to our time, then passes to the description of the materials, the furniture of the studio, the presentation and storage issues, the techniques and elements of drawing. Follows the description of the esthetics of the various styles and finally offers elementary tutorials for drawing the various subjects, from still life to figure and portrait drawing. If you are serious about drawing you'll need much more but this volume is very comprehensive and complete starting point. The book is richly illustrated with classic and contemporary drawings in various styles and techniques, including the author own work. Highly recommended for beginner artists.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews