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The Field Guide to Drawing and Sketching Animals
Artist Tim Pond's lively and engaging book fuses science with art, providing the reader with the skills, techniques and knowledge they need to create sketches of animals filled with life and movement.
There are some very good books written on life drawing, yet when it comes to drawing wildlife, illustrators and artists often revert to working solely from photographs, which can leave the artwork looking lifeless and flat. In this inspirational book, artist Tim Pond shows you how to observe and draw animals in zoos, farms, wildlife parks and aquariums, teaching you some fascinating facts about the animals along the way and ultimately bringing you closer to nature.
One of the challenges with sketching wildlife is that animals are constantly moving, however having some basic understanding of the biology of an animal, such as knowing that a duck has a cheek or that a cheetah can't retract its claws, can influence how you might sketch them, and results in a lively drawing that captures the form, movement and ultimately the spirit of the animal in question. Combining scientific knowledge with expert practical guidance is key to creating successful drawings of animals, and Tim's ability to convey this in a way that is both accessible and engaging makes this a unique and inspiring guide suitable for artists of all levels.
Tim's book takes you on a journey of discovery that will enable you to develop the skills, techniques and knowledge you need to sketch a broad range of wildlife, encompassing mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and insects. It includes quick, gestural sketches as well as linear and tonal studies, in a variety of media - pencil, pen and ink, and watercolour. There are numerous studies comprising how to represent the different patterns of animals' coats, how to capture the plumage of an exotic bird in watercolour, and how to sketch a hippo's hooves, as well as guidance on tools, materials and basic techniques. The result is a treasure chest of fascinating facts, studies, sketches and annotated drawings that will not fail to ignite your enthusiasm for drawing animals from life.
There are some very good books written on life drawing, yet when it comes to drawing wildlife, illustrators and artists often revert to working solely from photographs, which can leave the artwork looking lifeless and flat. In this inspirational book, artist Tim Pond shows you how to observe and draw animals in zoos, farms, wildlife parks and aquariums, teaching you some fascinating facts about the animals along the way and ultimately bringing you closer to nature.
One of the challenges with sketching wildlife is that animals are constantly moving, however having some basic understanding of the biology of an animal, such as knowing that a duck has a cheek or that a cheetah can't retract its claws, can influence how you might sketch them, and results in a lively drawing that captures the form, movement and ultimately the spirit of the animal in question. Combining scientific knowledge with expert practical guidance is key to creating successful drawings of animals, and Tim's ability to convey this in a way that is both accessible and engaging makes this a unique and inspiring guide suitable for artists of all levels.
Tim's book takes you on a journey of discovery that will enable you to develop the skills, techniques and knowledge you need to sketch a broad range of wildlife, encompassing mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and insects. It includes quick, gestural sketches as well as linear and tonal studies, in a variety of media - pencil, pen and ink, and watercolour. There are numerous studies comprising how to represent the different patterns of animals' coats, how to capture the plumage of an exotic bird in watercolour, and how to sketch a hippo's hooves, as well as guidance on tools, materials and basic techniques. The result is a treasure chest of fascinating facts, studies, sketches and annotated drawings that will not fail to ignite your enthusiasm for drawing animals from life.
- GenresArtAnimalsNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
Published February 5, 2019
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71 people want to read
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November 26, 2019The Field Guide to Drawing & Sketching Animals by Tim Pond is not the classic book for learning how to draw animals. Is not the "buy these pencils, sketchbooks and stuff to draw as I do" book. Neither is the "follow these steps to draw this animal exactly as I do".
Tim Pond´s book is a tribute to nature. Is a detailed travel across the animal kingdom, exquisitely illustrated by the author, to marvel us (as he certainly did to write the book) with the "Art Forms in Nature", portrayed as lively and detailed sketches. Pond carefully selected several representatives all across the animal kingdom (from sponges to birds, butterflies, cnidarians, mammals, and arthropods, among others), and shows them with sketches, detailed drawings, hints, general step by step aids, and a lot of functional anatomy. Across the pages, you not only understand how to draw animals. You understand how they "work". How they move, how they live, and how they don't. Not only animals are covered in the book, but different environments (and what kind of animals live there).
Tools for drawing are not the main focus. He makes several recommendations, depending on what he is portraying. But at the end, the books tries to encourage the reader to take a sketchbook, some pencils and watercolors, find some animals to sketch, and start drawing, knowing that what he is drawing is a living thing. As if Pond were saying "ok, now you understand the characteristics of the animal. You know how he moves. I explained you in detail the anatomy, and I gave you hints about how to sketch it, how to paint it, what media you can use, and I even told you how he behaves. Now come on, sit down here with me, and let's sketch it together".
So, if you want to learn how to draw and sketch animals understanding its anatomy and biological features, this is your book.
If you only want to learn how to draw and sketch animals, this is also your book.
In fact, if you want to learn about the animals that inhabit your world (or better, the animals that live in the place where we live), or you like animal art, I also recommend this book.
Seriously, I can't think someone who I wouldn't recommend this book.
Tim Pond´s book is a tribute to nature. Is a detailed travel across the animal kingdom, exquisitely illustrated by the author, to marvel us (as he certainly did to write the book) with the "Art Forms in Nature", portrayed as lively and detailed sketches. Pond carefully selected several representatives all across the animal kingdom (from sponges to birds, butterflies, cnidarians, mammals, and arthropods, among others), and shows them with sketches, detailed drawings, hints, general step by step aids, and a lot of functional anatomy. Across the pages, you not only understand how to draw animals. You understand how they "work". How they move, how they live, and how they don't. Not only animals are covered in the book, but different environments (and what kind of animals live there).
Tools for drawing are not the main focus. He makes several recommendations, depending on what he is portraying. But at the end, the books tries to encourage the reader to take a sketchbook, some pencils and watercolors, find some animals to sketch, and start drawing, knowing that what he is drawing is a living thing. As if Pond were saying "ok, now you understand the characteristics of the animal. You know how he moves. I explained you in detail the anatomy, and I gave you hints about how to sketch it, how to paint it, what media you can use, and I even told you how he behaves. Now come on, sit down here with me, and let's sketch it together".
So, if you want to learn how to draw and sketch animals understanding its anatomy and biological features, this is your book.
If you only want to learn how to draw and sketch animals, this is also your book.
In fact, if you want to learn about the animals that inhabit your world (or better, the animals that live in the place where we live), or you like animal art, I also recommend this book.
Seriously, I can't think someone who I wouldn't recommend this book.
April 28, 2021
It is a good book reference for how to look upon the animals. But, honestly I expected there will be more instruction based approaches in the book. All in all really good reference and full of animals details I wasn’t aware at all. 😁
February 25, 2025
I can tell this book is full of fascinating, useful info. But the font is SO SMALL! Where's the LARGE PRINT version??
December 18, 2019
This is a great drawing book. I think John Muir Laws book on Nature Journaling is MUCH better. Laws doe snot get into evolution as does, Pond. laws just teaches you how to draw.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews