Thinking About Drawing: An Introduction to Themes and Concepts

by Simon Grennan

This accessible book explains the significance of relationships between the body and the mark, visual imitation, drawing and writing and visual storytelling, providing a simple guide to these key ideas. For millennia drawing has been conceived as an exploratory activity, mediating between the vision of the drafter and what they are drawing. Drawing reveals hidden relationships, directs attention, scrutinises the material world and provides plans for further action.

The book unpacks the key ideas that have shaped the rich, complex and foundational activity of drawing. It presents an unexpected, engaging and authoritative range of illustrated examples of drawings made by culturally and historically diverse people for different purposes, with different media, in widely different times and situations.

Educator, author and artist Simon Grennan builds together concepts to create a complete guide to ideas about drawing.

176 pages, Paperback

Published May 19, 2022

Reviews

[BiblioFate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the overall concepts, histories and theories in drawing. I am just tipping my toes into drawing, so I understood some of the concepts but found it hard to digest. I think once I really get into drawing, I will be able to better relate to the book and take in what it is teaching.
For any artist, I do think this is a must for your collection or any teacher teaching art, or someone at an intermediate level of drawing.

[beyond_blue_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful introduction to concepts relating to drawing, that doesn't just rely on Western traditions.

The writing is a bit dry and technical - I glazed over in some parts - and I would have liked more engagement with the illustrations, or quotes from artists to liven it up a bit.

Probably not one to read cover-to-cover, as I did - but useful as a reference guide to dip into.

[Anwer Qureishi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I probably was not the intended audience, book was well written and a student of art would get more value from it.