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Draw Like an Artist: 100 Realistic Animals: Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing **A Sourcebook for Aspiring Artists and Designers
Featuring 600+ sketches depicting a vast array of beautiful animal forms, detailed faces, and more, Draw Like an 100 Realistic Animals is a must-have visual reference book for student artists, scientific illustrators, urban sketchers, and anyone seeking to improve their realistic drawing skills.
This contemporary, step-by-step guidebook demonstrates fundamental art concepts like proportion, anatomy, and spatial relationships as you learn to draw a full range of creatures , all shown from a variety of perspectives. Each set of illustrations takes you from beginning sketch lines to a finished drawing.
Author Melissa Washburn is a skilled illustrator whose clear and elegant drawing style will make this a go-to sourcebook for years to come.
Draw Like an 100 Realistic Animals is the third book in the Draw Like an Artist series following Faces and Figures and Flowers and Plants .
The books in the Draw Like an Artist series are richly visual references for learning how to draw classic subjects realistically through hundreds of step-by-step images created by expert artists and illustrators.
This contemporary, step-by-step guidebook demonstrates fundamental art concepts like proportion, anatomy, and spatial relationships as you learn to draw a full range of creatures , all shown from a variety of perspectives. Each set of illustrations takes you from beginning sketch lines to a finished drawing.
Author Melissa Washburn is a skilled illustrator whose clear and elegant drawing style will make this a go-to sourcebook for years to come.
Draw Like an 100 Realistic Animals is the third book in the Draw Like an Artist series following Faces and Figures and Flowers and Plants .
The books in the Draw Like an Artist series are richly visual references for learning how to draw classic subjects realistically through hundreds of step-by-step images created by expert artists and illustrators.
112 pages, Paperback
Published December 17, 2019
191 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Washburn
6 books15 followersMelissa Washburn is an illustrator and graphic designer living just outside Chicago in the Midwest US. She grew up in upstate New York, in the foothills of the Adirondacks, but has lived in the Midwest since 1996. Her fascination with things that run, fly, and grow has led to editorial commissions for publications such as Charlotte Home and Garden, Spirituality & Health magazine, and Smithsonian Magazine. She continues to exhibit her work throughout Northwest Indiana as well as illustrate and design for advertising, editorial, surface pattern, and package design. Her background includes a bachelor of fine arts in painting and printmaking from Binghamton University, a master's degree in arts administration from Indiana University, coursework at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and experience as Art Director at advertising firm Group 7even. She was a 2012–2013 recipient of an Individual Artist Program grant from the Indiana Arts Commission. You can see more of her work at www.melissawashburn.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 17, 2019
Draw Like an Artist: 100 Realistic Animals
by Melissa Washburn
Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing
A Sourcebook for Aspiring Artists and Designers
Wondering how to draw domestic and/or wild animals and make sure someone knows what you have drawn? This book might be the one for you.
What I picked up:
* Watch real animals at home, outside and in places like zoos.
* Minimal detail is to give the idea of fur, feathers and such
* Get down the basic shapes and distances from say head to body and then refine and add in connecting lines to bring it all together
* A new to me idea was to draw the parts of animals that are NOT seen (back legs) because that way you will know where the part is and it is more likely to be in proportion
* That hard pencils should be used for sketching as they are lighter and easier to erase and then a soft pencil is to be used later to finished
* That I should be sketching more than I do now.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I like to have it in my library? I think so
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
by Melissa Washburn
Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing
A Sourcebook for Aspiring Artists and Designers
Wondering how to draw domestic and/or wild animals and make sure someone knows what you have drawn? This book might be the one for you.
What I picked up:
* Watch real animals at home, outside and in places like zoos.
* Minimal detail is to give the idea of fur, feathers and such
* Get down the basic shapes and distances from say head to body and then refine and add in connecting lines to bring it all together
* A new to me idea was to draw the parts of animals that are NOT seen (back legs) because that way you will know where the part is and it is more likely to be in proportion
* That hard pencils should be used for sketching as they are lighter and easier to erase and then a soft pencil is to be used later to finished
* That I should be sketching more than I do now.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I like to have it in my library? I think so
Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
December 27, 2019
Draw Like An Artist: 100 Realistic Animals by Melissa Washburn leaves me with mixed feelings... on the one hand, when I attempt to draw from it, I feel like I'm missing some important component -- the one that makes the drawing actually look like a real animal. I believe that comes from practicing from life, over and over, actually drawing real life animals.
On the other hand, I like this book much more than many others of the oval and circle type -- and I feel like my results actually look like more like a real animal and not just a cartoon figure.
On the other hand, I like this book much more than many others of the oval and circle type -- and I feel like my results actually look like more like a real animal and not just a cartoon figure.
November 3, 2019
This book was sent to me to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
What a fantastic book to start off learning about art and drawing.
This book gives amazing graphic pictures in step by step visual instructions that are easy and simple to follow on each pafe for each animal.
I loved the pictures in this book and have really got in the mood to have a go at these animals as I've read through the book
What a fantastic book to start off learning about art and drawing.
This book gives amazing graphic pictures in step by step visual instructions that are easy and simple to follow on each pafe for each animal.
I loved the pictures in this book and have really got in the mood to have a go at these animals as I've read through the book
December 24, 2019
I have really enjoyed the Draw Like an Artist series. This book is no exception. With just a few supplies, the author shows you how to take simple shapes and turn them into more complex drawings of common animals. There is not a lot of text, but if you are a more visual learner, you should be able to catch on quickly.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC!
December 7, 2019
I received a copy of Draw Like an Artist through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Draw Like An Artist: 100 Realistic Animals: Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing may be a mouthful of a title, but I can assure you that it delivers on the one major promise that it makes. This is a guide that will show you how to draw hundreds of different animals.
The artwork inside Draw Like An Artist is simple, but in this case, that’s a good thing. There’s less distraction going on. And if we’re being honest, the simple line art is significantly less intimidating for those just starting out.
I cannot stress this enough; Draw Like An Artist has hundreds of drawings for reference material within its pages. We’re talking about a huge variety of animals, from birds to horses, and everything in between.
This is a book that is both perfect as an instructional guide, and as a reference book. It’s one you’re going to want on your shelves, if you think there’s any chance you’ll be drawing lots of animals in your future.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Draw Like An Artist: 100 Realistic Animals: Step-by-Step Realistic Line Drawing may be a mouthful of a title, but I can assure you that it delivers on the one major promise that it makes. This is a guide that will show you how to draw hundreds of different animals.
The artwork inside Draw Like An Artist is simple, but in this case, that’s a good thing. There’s less distraction going on. And if we’re being honest, the simple line art is significantly less intimidating for those just starting out.
I cannot stress this enough; Draw Like An Artist has hundreds of drawings for reference material within its pages. We’re talking about a huge variety of animals, from birds to horses, and everything in between.
This is a book that is both perfect as an instructional guide, and as a reference book. It’s one you’re going to want on your shelves, if you think there’s any chance you’ll be drawing lots of animals in your future.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
November 21, 2019
This is an art instruction book on using graphite pencil to draw realistic line drawings of animals. After the brief introduction to her method, the author provided step-by-step drawings for 85 animals with one animal demonstrated per page. She then had 15 pages of close-up details for dogs, cats, and horses (heads, paws, fur, and such). There's no text in the demonstrations, just 6-8 easy-to-follow steps leading from basic shapes to help block in angles and positions to adding details and cleaning up the guidelines.
The author demonstrated how to draw a wide variety of animal types so you can apply the lessons from one animal to similar animals. She covered common animals like dogs, cats, and other pets, farm animals, wild land animals, marine animals, and birds. Overall, I'd recommend this book to beginning artists who want to improve or learn how to do realistic line drawings of animals.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
The author demonstrated how to draw a wide variety of animal types so you can apply the lessons from one animal to similar animals. She covered common animals like dogs, cats, and other pets, farm animals, wild land animals, marine animals, and birds. Overall, I'd recommend this book to beginning artists who want to improve or learn how to do realistic line drawings of animals.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
November 21, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. I received this in exchange for my honest review.
This "book" has 4 pages of tips and then a hundred pages of showing you how to boost up a line drawing with a little bit of shading... with NO words. I wouldn't say this has any direction in detailing to animal faces or being realistic at all. I will agree that it is helpful with form, anatomy and spatial relationships but I wouldn't recommend this book to any one becoming an author who would be interested in expanding their knowledge on these topics. As a self learned artist, there are a lot of books that do these lessons in a much better way.
Apparently, this author has a whole series like this with flowers and humans. I am not motivated to recommend any of her books in this series.
This "book" has 4 pages of tips and then a hundred pages of showing you how to boost up a line drawing with a little bit of shading... with NO words. I wouldn't say this has any direction in detailing to animal faces or being realistic at all. I will agree that it is helpful with form, anatomy and spatial relationships but I wouldn't recommend this book to any one becoming an author who would be interested in expanding their knowledge on these topics. As a self learned artist, there are a lot of books that do these lessons in a much better way.
Apparently, this author has a whole series like this with flowers and humans. I am not motivated to recommend any of her books in this series.
November 13, 2019
I got this book from NetGalley and the publishers (thank you, kindly) in exchange for an honest review.
It is good. I assume it is not designed for complete beginners (although it could absolutely be used as one!) but it is wonderful. The species covered vary a lot from domesticated to wild, birds, fish, and mammals.
I love the detail put into the step-by-step schematics of what to do, although I wish it contained more "details" as to how to add details. Personally, I could improve with this, so think. I love the motion shown in the final pieces of art and the presence of simplified anatomy lessons. This is brilliant and deserves a place in libraries and book stores, if not in art classes.
October 31, 2019
This book is excellent and very well presented. The drawings are not too complex but still detailed enough for more advanced artists. Excellent reference and I will be looking for more from this author. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
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February 26, 2025
Helpful drawing diagrams for beginner artists
These illustrations take you from forming the basic shape to flashing out the animal's fur, hair and feathers, then feet, paws or claws, then body decorations and shading. A pleasure to try these exercises. Helpful for children and adults. I streamed this ebook their Kindle Unlimited on my Amazon HD 11 Fire tablet.
These illustrations take you from forming the basic shape to flashing out the animal's fur, hair and feathers, then feet, paws or claws, then body decorations and shading. A pleasure to try these exercises. Helpful for children and adults. I streamed this ebook their Kindle Unlimited on my Amazon HD 11 Fire tablet.
November 11, 2019
As someone who feels as if I’m not as talented in the drawing ability, this book is an awesome and fun way to learn some new skills. Plus, it’s really fun to learn how to draw animals. It’s also a great resource for teaching kids.
February 10, 2022
A resource worth remembering or having on the shelf.
July 5, 2023
Great reference!
Nice assortment of animals and some nice pages on specific details at the end too! I will be adding this to my art classroom library.
Nice assortment of animals and some nice pages on specific details at the end too! I will be adding this to my art classroom library.
December 1, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Draw Like an Artist: 100 Realistic Animals is a step-by-step tutorial guide for artists in the Draw Like An Artist series. Due out 17th Dec 2019 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback format.
These books all follow the same format. A very short introduction (10% of the content) gives some basic tips and very (very) brief overview of recommended materials. The following chapters contain short step-by step progress illustrations for line drawing 100 animals by category: household animals, domestic animals, wild animals, birds, reptiles/amphibians/cephalopod (octopus), and a final chapter with specific studies which incorporate perspective and specific parts such as fur.
These are very simple single page 5-8 step illustrations. The finished drawings are not part of a composition, and there is no written direction involved. All of them are simple enough to not really require directions. None of them are beyond the ability of keen amateur level. Correspondingly, there is little here which will challenge advanced artists.
This would make a superlative choice for young artists or adult learners, especially bundled with drawing supplies. There are several other companion volumes available also (flowers, faces, and some others probably).
Four stars (given the limitations).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Draw Like an Artist: 100 Realistic Animals is a step-by-step tutorial guide for artists in the Draw Like An Artist series. Due out 17th Dec 2019 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 112 pages and will be available in paperback format.
These books all follow the same format. A very short introduction (10% of the content) gives some basic tips and very (very) brief overview of recommended materials. The following chapters contain short step-by step progress illustrations for line drawing 100 animals by category: household animals, domestic animals, wild animals, birds, reptiles/amphibians/cephalopod (octopus), and a final chapter with specific studies which incorporate perspective and specific parts such as fur.
These are very simple single page 5-8 step illustrations. The finished drawings are not part of a composition, and there is no written direction involved. All of them are simple enough to not really require directions. None of them are beyond the ability of keen amateur level. Correspondingly, there is little here which will challenge advanced artists.
This would make a superlative choice for young artists or adult learners, especially bundled with drawing supplies. There are several other companion volumes available also (flowers, faces, and some others probably).
Four stars (given the limitations).
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews