Creative Drawing: Symbols and Sacred Geometry: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing and Painting Inspired Motifs - Explore Compass Drawing, Colored ... Inks, and More

by Ana Victoria Calderón

Learn simple step-by-step techniques for drawing and embellishing the exciting, inspiring, and beautiful motifs of sacred geometry.

In Creative Drawing: Symbols and Sacred Geometry, artist, instructor, and author Ana Victoria Calderon takes you on an inner voyage of creative discovery.


Learn how sacred geometry has been practiced and celebrated by cultures all over the world and influenced artists throughout history, including Leonardo da Vinci

Start with the essentials—compass drawing with graphite pencils on paper—then explore the featured mediums for embellishing, including colored pencils, watercolor, inks, and other easy-to-use mediums
Take a step-by-step look at fundamental drawing techniques for a variety of universal motifs, starting with the simple circle and building to more complex motifs, including the Yin Yang symbol, the Tree of Life, the Torus, and the Vortex
Learn to paint a variety of stunning effects and find great project ideas for creating amazing images

The study and creation of sacred geometry inspires the imagination and provokes reflection. So grab your pencils and take a beautiful creative journey with drawing!

Perfect for creative beginners, the books in the Art for Modern Makers series take a fun, practical approach to learning about and working with paints and other art mediums to create beautiful DIY projects and crafts.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2022

About the author

Ana Victoria Calderon is a Mexican/American watercolor artist and teacher with a bachelors degree in Information Design and continued studies in Fine Arts. Her licensed artwork can be seen in retail outlets throughout the United States and Europe on a wide variety of products, and she also sells prints of her artwork on Etsy. Ana teaches in-person workshops and hosts creative retreats in Tulum, Mexico, European summer destinations with Travellur, as well as more than 40,000 students on Skillshare, where she is a Top Teacher. See more of Ana's work on Instagram (@anavictoriana), YouTube (Ana Victoria Calderon), and Facebook (Ana Victoria Calderon Illustration). She lives in Mexico City, Mexico.

Fun facts:

Ana grew up in tropical Cancun, surrounded by nature and wildlife.

The artist lives with her fiancé and 3 cats in the trendy neighborhood "Roma" in Mexico City.

Considers herself to be a Beatles super fan.

Passion for cooking delicious organic food.

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good guide to drawing sacred geometry if that's what you're looking to do. It turns out that I'm not as attracted to this type of art because it is so precise -- think careful work done with rulers and protractors. That's on me, though. It's well illustrated and detailed, with all you need to know to start this art style.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know about anything else but this book sparked back my love for shapes (which was last felt during the 90s!). And I am reconnected to my younger self who used to love crayons, colours and hated math but loved geometry. I know not related. But I love this book!

As with the Quarto Publishing Group series of such guidebooks, I am impressed with this one as well.

All the basic requirements are shown and explained well.

I wish I had a library full of this series! So worth it.

Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry, for the advance review copy.

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great and colorful book. The cover, itself, is so attractive that you cannot resist requesting for it. I have been trying to learn something different, and, as an artist the book is like a gift for me. The artist has given full detailed instructions with all the materials list, which naturally helps a beginner. I have even tried some of the designs of Sacred Geometry. I would, definitely, give the book 5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.

Read more on https://www.instagram.com/p/CfmJVJdLOvb/

[Vanya Prodanova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Книжката е много мъничка и се чете бързо, но тъй като става дума за sacred geometry упражненията и демонстрациите са всичко друго, но не и бързи за научаване. :)

Авторката минава през някои основни методи за създаване на дизайни, използвайки sacred geometry. Няма много снимки на отделните стъпки, което прави много трудно следването на упражненията и визирайки, че последните няколко примера са си адски сложни дизайни, не прави книгата много добра за начинаещи. Чертала съм куп цветя на живота и до ден днешен все успявам да се объркам, какво остава за по-сложните дизайни от цветето на живота. :)

Авторката почва с това, че се опитва да предостави лесни за следване инструкции да навлезеш в света на дизайните, използвайки sacred geometry, и първите няколко демонстрации са лесни, но от там нататък е кошмар. Красива книжка и интересна. Определено провокира интересът ти да задълбаеш повече в света на sacret geometry. Много красиви мандали може да сътвориш, използвайки sacred geometry като база. Струва си мъките да се научиш да ги създаваш. :)

Авторката има курс в Skillshare, който е на база тази книга. Предполагам, че комбинация от курса и книгата, би направило много по-лесно и приятно преживяване ученето на тези сложни методи, но не мога да бъда напълно сигурна, тъй като не съм фен на Skillshare и нямам акаунт там, но е опция, за който иска.

[Angeline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this book was interesting. I am honestly not sure what I think of it. I thought that it was going to be more of a zentangle book but it ended up being more precise to its name. Creative Drawing: Symbols and Sacred Geometry is written by Ana Victoria Calderon and it is a drawing book that teaches how to make complex symbols.
This book was not bad but it just wasn’t for me. I was looking for a more relaxed zentangle kind of book, not one that I needed a ruler for. However if you like these types of books then this is great. It has a wonderful introduction explaining the meaning behind this book and easy to follow instructions. I really like the pictures sprinkled in between also, which really helps with the process. The books start off easier and gradually get more complex as you advance in abilities
Overall this was a good book especially if you are looking to learn more about shapes and sacred geometry. Creative Drawing: Symbols and Sacred Geometry is a beginner friendly drawing book.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

[Andrea Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creative Drawing: Symbols and Sacred Geometry 


This book just wasn't bad per se, it just wasn't the book for me. When I get creative, I look to relax. Needing a ruler, compass or protractor doesn't scream, relaxing for me. As an artist, drawing straight lines and perfect circles is challenging in general. But having 6 or more circles on a page and free handing them is panic-inducing. There's step-by-step directions with pictures to follow, and I'm still overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information found in this book. 


Overall, if you're interested in Symbols and Sacred Geometry, I'd recommend trying these techniques digitally where it's easy to produce shapes perfectly. Otherwise, this isn't a beginner-friendly drawing book. This book does start easily and gets more complicated quickly. 


Thank you, NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group, for providing me with a digital ARC for an honest review. 

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am looking forward to attempting to create some of these designs. The instructions are easy to understand and the photos definitely help.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great combination of explaining the symbols and tutorials on how to easily draw them.
The history and meaning of each beautiful designs really left me wanting to delve deeper into each one, it's a wonderful starter for such an interesting form of art that has such an immersive history.

[Blair]

03.12.2022 - I just started with this book and while I'm still super excited about it, there are errors. I'm on my third attempt at the Trinity Knot because one of her pictures is wrong and one of her instructions isn't clear. I'm concerned this is going to be more frustrating than relaxing at this point.

[Courtney R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Creative Drawing: Symbols and Sacred Geometry" by Ana Victoria Calderón is an absolute gem, seamlessly blending the realms of artistry and spirituality. Calderón's expertise and passion for the subject shine through, offering readers a transformative journey into the world of symbols and sacred geometry. This book is a treasure trove for both aspiring artists and those on a quest for deeper spiritual connections.

One of the book's extraordinary strengths is Calderón's ability to demystify complex concepts and make them accessible to beginners. Her step-by-step approach ensures that even those with limited artistic experience can confidently embark on this creative voyage. Through clear instructions and beautifully illustrated examples, she guides readers in creating intricate and meaningful motifs that resonate on a profound level.

The inclusion of sacred geometry adds a profound layer of depth to the book. Calderón beautifully illustrates how these ancient and universal patterns can be incorporated into artwork to convey deeper meanings and connections to the cosmos. Her explanations of the symbolism behind each motif invite readers to contemplate their own spiritual journey and expand their understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.

The book's structure is thoughtful and well-organized, allowing for a seamless progression from fundamental concepts to more intricate designs. Calderón's writing is both engaging and encouraging, creating a supportive atmosphere that fosters creativity and self-expression. "Creative Drawing: Symbols and Sacred Geometry" is more than a guide—it's an invitation to embark on a transformative artistic and spiritual exploration. Ana Victoria Calderón's expertise and passion for the subject make this book an invaluable companion on the path to creative and spiritual enlightenment.

I was provided an advanced copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, you are taken by the hand and gently lead down a beginner’s road of learning how to draw your own sacred geometry. It is packed with information. The book is laid out in an easy to follow format and contains clear images and step by step instructions, so if you have never drawn any kind of sacred geometry before, you will feel confident to get started after reading this book.

There is guidance on blending with coloured pencils and suggestions for how to make your artwork your own and take it to the next level, as well as instruction for creating mosaics, collages and much more. There is so much in this book, and Ana Victoria Calderon is a very talented artist in her own right so it is wonderful to be able to learn from her via this book.

I recommend this comprehensive book if you are at all interested in art because this is a little extra something to add to your artistic skillset. Just be prepared to get a lot of use from your compass, and to start dreaming in circles, because making sacred geometry is a little bit addictive!

With thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing Group for providing an advance review copy. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-copy of this book, for review.

I downloaded the book and was immediately captivated by the images. After a quick skim of the introduction I grabbed a compass from the back of a drawer and started drawing. The instructions are very clear and well illustrated. I loved the whole process and the fact that drawing the shapes requires so much precision, and yet once they are drawn there are so many opportunities to continue creating, It is as if the logical mind is kept occupied by the compass and ruler, giving the creative mind the opportunity to sneak in with all the ideas! I have aphantasia and find starting art projects to be very difficult as I can't plan or visualise an outcome and I think this type of work will be very beneficial.

Although I am reviewing an e-copy as an ARC, due to the limitations of reading this kind of book on a screen I very quickly ordered a physical copy from a bookseller. This is going to keep me occupied for a long time.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for an interesting, creative, math-meets-art drawing book~

This was an interesting art book that goes through various art tools and methods that center around the usage of geometry. Some tools include protractors and rulers, and various types of blending methods are covered. There are tutorials within to draw many various shapes and designs of symmetry. Many sections also covered the torus, background of aspects of geometry with explanations of symbolism, and types of complex shapes.

By using this book as a sort of tutorial and guide, one can create unique and geometric works of art. Definitely an interesting and creative take that includes mathematics within.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry, Quarry Books for the digital ARC~

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sparked my interest as I have been drawing mandalas for the last year. This book had very detailed directions and very easy to follow along. I created my first drawing within a half hour! If anything I wished this book went more into suggestion on how to color the symbols and geometry. However, I feel like I could figure that out on my own. I would highly suggest this for anyone who wants to learn more about drawing shapes and symmetry.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the digital advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many times I have sat and doodled all types of shapes with pleasing effect, this book show a link to symbols and geometry that go back a long time. They can be created by the use of a protractor, a compass and all those other rulers and such which we used at school, but in a fun and colorful way. With the addition a little bit of philosophical meaning associated with geometric shapes, drawing can become very much fun and interesting
Love this book.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and Quarto Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed learning how to draw all the different shapes and symbols and inserting geometry into my art. The instructions are detailed and easy to follow and it was fun to show my daughter how "math" can be used to create fun art designs. Another must have for my collection!

[Samantha Hehr · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational guide for artists and enthusiasts of the arcane and natural. Contains clever tips and secrets any artist would love to discover. Get your protractors out, because its simpler than it looks!

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creative Drawing: Symbols and Sacred Geometry is a beautifully done, inspiring book that helps artists see the possibilities in repetitive patterns and colors. There are suggestions for exploration and direction for those who need it. I highly recommend it.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, really easy illustrations that can be created even if you can’t draw – perfect for me!

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.