How to Draw without Talent

by Danny Gregory

Want to draw but don't think you have the talent? This book is for you--no experience or formal training required! Danny Gregory, co-founder of the popular online Sketchbook Skool, shows you how to get started making art for pleasure with fun, easy lessons. Get started fast with just a pen and paper, learn to see your subject with new eyes, and enjoy the creative process.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Drawing, Creative

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 26, 2019

Reviews

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote this book and I think it’s pretty good. Let me know what you think.

[Gina House · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and inspiring book! I started this book last summer along with my very first sketchbook. I’ve always wanted to have a daily sketchbook in which I could add paintings and drawings…but I didn’t know how to draw!

Danny Gregory’s YouTube videos have motivated me more than I could have ever imagined. Through his encouraging and mellow videos, I learned about Sketchbook Skool and Koosje Koene.

Between the two of these incredible and down-to-earth artists, I now have a daily sketchbook practice that I love. Danny’s guidelines are practical and simple for anyone to tackle, even if you know nothing about drawing.

I continue to watch his videos and read his books because they just make me so happy and kick start my creativity. One day, I will save money to take a bunch of Sketchbook Skool classes. I can’t wait! Until then, I have this fantastic book full of artistic ideas to keep me going. Highly recommended!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. There are tons of little drawing exercises that are fun and aren't a major project. All the while you are developing skills and training your eyes. It's a book whose training exercises you could do over and over again. If you are looking to copy Rembrandt this is not the book for you, but if you want to have fun sketching, go for it. No kidding, "all you need is a pen, paper and this book".

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy.

The book contains a great amount of knowledge compiled from others. It is inspiring and can be referenced whenever you I want a new or fresh outlook before trying to create something new. It a great study book for people as well.

[Alyson Indrunas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I plan to buy this book so I'm not hoarding from the library. If I ever teach an art class (doubtful, but who could've predicted this life?), I will use the process advice of this author. Love the advice to draw the same thing over and over. Learned this week I am not interested in drawing buildings or people.

Loved this advice (tho I never use Facebook, sub Insta):

"Spend more time drawing than:
• Thinking about drawing
• Looking at art
• Reading art books
• Shopping for supplies
• Watching YouTube tutorials on drawing
• Watching cat videos on Facebook.
It doesn't matter what you draw.
It doesn't matter what you draw with.
All that matters is that you draw.
Draw."

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often, we compare ourselves to great artists and give up on the idea of drawing entirely. But people forget that even an Olympic gold medalist was once a baby who took countless baby steps. They didn’t get discouraged by falling or failing but embraced the process, step by step, until they became one of the best runners.

The same principle applies to drawing. It is a skill that develops over time with consistent practice. What truly matters is not comparing yourself to others but comparing yourself to who you were yesterday. Compare today’s drawing to yesterday’s, and even if you make just 0.0001% progress, it is still progress. This book beautifully conveys that message. Truly amazing!

[Toni Tassani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the title and contains a lot of inspiring drawings and advice. It contains some of the exercises also found in "Drawing from the right side of the brain" and the Urban Sketching community.

I liked the advice about using a pen and commit to your lines and your mistakes. That realism isn't real but captures who you are and where you are. That drawing takes place in the present and it is called "a drawing" not "a drawn".
Instead of a book, it is more like a course with activities.

[Queenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to say thank you to the author of this book. Danny’s drawings in the book may not be the most beautiful but they are full of personality with his unique style which is the most important thing of an artist. His teaching is inspiring, motivating, very interesting and easy to follow. There are lots of creative drawing exercises in the book. I will look for more of his books in the future to learn more about creativity.

[Fifa · Rating 3 out of 5]

For beginners & fr anyone wanting to brush their drawing skills..

I think his online course by the same name would have been more useful...nevertheless a good book for the beginners...

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a good book to start on your journey to draw. It’s easy to follows and it motivates you to draw. I honestly did majority of the exercises and it took me out of my comfort zone. I showed it to family and friends and they loved it. Highly recommended and all you need are a pen and a sketchbook.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not my favorite of the Danny Gregory books on art and drawing, but it's probably the one I'd recommend first to someone looking to start sketching. Clear, easy to follow, and the signature Gregory style, this is a really nice intro book into the topic.

[Nathalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leuk en goed boek, maar als je al meerdere boeken van Danny hebt gelezen, zul je er niet veel nieuws in vinden. Leuk voor beginners!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looked through this because I had nothing better to do. I knew all the tricks in the book, but the layout was pleasing to the eye and tricks in it were good.

[Nadine Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, inspiring little book that will get you drawing and feeling good about even if you are intimidated and anxious like me. Love all of Gregory's books and the fine folks at Sketchbook Skool.

[Kathryn Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book to encourage exploring your art talent.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Really enjoyed this book and found it inspirational. Iam just starting off on my sketching journey and found this book a Great motivator

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like all or Danny Gregory’s book, this was very accessible and easy to read with with lots of quick and practical exercises.

[Gianluigi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny is such a great teacher, he gives you the only thing you need to learn drawing, motivation.

[Neha D'souza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Art Before Breakfast

But this book, somehow, didn’t work for me.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danny Gregory has a super accessible and fun way of teaching. I love the exercises. This book is all about drawing loose and exploring different ideas.

[Jacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good reminder and refresher coarse.

[Myra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Danny Gregory. Approaches drawing and art in a fun, no pressure way. 3.5 stars

[Aimee]

It’s the font. I like the content and the art, but the font gave me visual trouble.