Peggy Dean's Guide to Nature Drawing and Watercolor: Learn to Sketch, Ink, and Paint Flowers, Plants, Trees, and Animals

by Peggy Dean

This fun and easy-to-use nature drawing and watercolor guide is perfect for anyone inspired by nature to draw, doodle, ink, and paint colorful flora and fauna.

Artist, author, and popular art instructor Peggy Dean presents this nature drawing guide that teaches you how to master drawing and watercolor techniques from sketching and shading to washes and blending. With Peggy's easy and energetic lessons, absolutely anyone--regardless of ability--can learn to draw the natural world. Beginning with delicate cherry blossoms, wildflowers, and lacy ferns, lessons build to composing stunning bouquets of flowers and majestic landscapes. You'll also discover how to draw animals such as colorful fish and birds in flight, as well as mammals like stoic camels and the mighty polar bear. Through the lessons on technique combined with clear, detailed instructions, you'll gain the expertise and confidence that will allow you to quickly build your skills, discover your own personal style, and achieve beautiful botanical and animal illustrations.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference, Drawing, Crafts, Art Design

224 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Dawnt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, Peggy did it again with another amazing book. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of her books, and this one is no different. The way she explains the process makes me feel like I can actually do it too. I just can't say enough about how wonderful the illustrations and explanations are - thanks Peggy for making another must have!

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peggy has done it again. I have every book she has written. This book is positively amazing. It is jam packed with information and extra little tidbits. The lessons are thorough and easy to follow. I can’t recommend this book enough. I am so glad to add it to my ever growing resources.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It is very well written. While working through it, you will feel like she's talking only to you and that she's right there with you, walking you through the steps. Looking forward to applying what I learn to my watercolor and pastel paintings.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We LOVE this book and have added it to our list of “must own a copy.” The author gives thorough, step-by-step instructions on how to build and improve your skills. It is broken down into four parts:

- Let’s Go! Learn Basic Drawing Techniques
- Let’s Get Colorful! Learn Basic Watercolor Techniques
- Study Objects Found in Nature
- Put it All Together

Not only is this book beautiful to look at (seriously, she is incredibly talented!), but it’s also so much fun to work with! Reading through it was inspiring and empowering and pushed me to open up some of my unused sketch pads. As a child I loved to draw, but fell away from it as I got older...it’s fun to get creative and be a kid again with my daughter! We enjoyed the objects (flowers, plants, animals, landscapes) the author chose to include and the little random “fun nature facts” inserted here and there, such as, “lilies of the valley assist in treating paralysis.”

Excited to get our own copy and work our way through from start to finish!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent an early copy of Peggy's new book 'Guide to Nature Drawing and Watercolor', and let me tell you, it didn't disappoint. Peggy is not only a talented artist but a wonderful and generous teacher. Whether you are a complete beginner or an established artist she walks you through the tutorials in a way that is easy to understand and gives you tools which you can then apply to any drawing or painting project outside of the book.

An additional note: This book is more than just words and pictures. Peggy has fostered such a supportive online community of artists that by working through this book and sharing your progress online you're bound to meet new, creative friends and open a door to a whole new world.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love art but I rarely get to sit down and create anymore. It has been such a long time since I actually drew anything at all. We have been spending a lot of time in our yard and I thought I'd dip back into sketching and watercoloring with a focus on nature so I just had to borrow this when I saw that my local library had purchased it. I've added it to my wishlist because I think it's a great resource overall with lots of beginner's information on how to get started, what supplies to choose from, how to shade and learn perspective, and more. There are clear and simple steps to follow for drawing different flowers, plants, birds, and animals with watercolor tips and fun facts about each to keep you entertained!

[Ren Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peggy Dean demonstrates simple watercolor techniques that get a beginner started. She focused more on more detailed botanical focus points than she does in her other botanical books. Step-by-step you find yourself drawing illustrations that only a moment before felt very intimidating. Most valuable to me, as an artist, is her technique that everything is either a c-curve or and s-curve. With this simply directive, my botanical illustrations leveled up. Now I’m seeing everything as c- and a-curves, my world is opened.

I love that she also takes you through several regions of the world, which help you think outside yourself.

Written with wit and fun facts, she’ll make your giggle as you learn to illustrate. I feel like we’d be best friends if we met in person.

[Elna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I worked my way through this book one exercise at a time. It really gave me the confidence that I can do these things, are drawing isn't (quite) as hard as I thought it was. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow with a nice variety of subjects.

My only complaint is that the last section "putting it all together" wasn't really about putting it all together, it was more about various animal studies. I was hoping for more landscape and scenery tutorials.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gonna be really honest here, I don't read these books, I just try to copy the drawings. I haven't gotten into the watercolour yet but it has some very pretty examples. I'm much more into plants than animals so I like the flowers and plants instructions, especially the "loose sketching with trees" example.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun & Helpful!

If you’ve ever wanted to explore painting with watercolor but found it intimidating, this book is for you! The author breaks it down step by step, all with and whimsical tone. You’ll love it!

[Johannah Gage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peggy Dean is the delightfully friendly happy girl next door who can do EVERYTHING but isn't smug -- she's incredibly passionate about sharing het love of art. I love her! If you enjoy her books, don't miss her classes on Skillshare.

[Lilian Oliveira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still working through the book, but I already gathered that it’s another winner from Peggy Dean.
Totally recommend!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and detailed book - like having one's personal instructor available 24/7.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated some of the exercises and examples but in the day of YouTube, I didn't find this book overly helpful.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic drawing and watercolor guide. The steps are clear and simple and seem adaptable for any skill level. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to get started on drawing nature.

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some nice tips

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simplistic but realistic sketches -a good basic art book for watercolorists and sketchers - I especially liked her method of drawing and painting maps which I will use to illustrate my travel diaries. This feature was worth the book alone !!