Step by Step - Drawing

by Jenny Rodwell

It's rare to find a series of basic instructional books that are well executed, comprehensive, and attractively priced. Each of the volumes in Hamlyn's "Step-by-Step Art School" series explores the evolution of a genre, its tools, and its methods. The series avoids the usual pitfall of so many beginners' books pretty pictures accompanied by brief, mediocre text. Instead, its carefully graded exercises are thoughtfully illustrated and packed with cogent advice for the novice. Buchan and Baker's book on still life, for example, contains a wonderful historical survey with examples ranging from Caravaggio, Manet, and van Gogh to Picasso and Warhol. Demonstrations utilize ink, pencil, watercolor, acrylics, and oils in various styles. One can experiment with realistic, abstract, and surreal treatments of a basket of fruit, an old telephone, or a collection of bottles. The quality of this series is consistent, and Hamlyn is, wisely, also reprinting earlier fine entries like Patricia Monahan's Step-by-Step Art Watercolour. Purchase as many of these as your budget allows.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Hardcover

First published November 1, 1987

Reviews

[Barbc]

10

[Becca Loo · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the better drawing books at my library