Art for Kids: Drawing: The Only Drawing Book You'll Ever Need to Be the Artist You've Always Wanted to Be

by Kathryn Temple

What do children hope to create when they put pencil to paper? An accurate likeness of the things they see, of course. With this imaginative, informative, and amply illustrated guide to drawing, it's amazingly easy for kids to make those art dreams come true. After a brief overview of tools and materials, the entertaining hands-on activities begin with contour drawing techniques. With the help of lots of exercises, budding artists will learn the basic elements of shapes (lines, dots, circles) and see how to combine them to make familiar forms. They'll find out how to produce the illusion of volume with shading techniques; create perspective; accurately recreate landscapes, people, animals, and nature; develop interesting compositions; and more.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Drawing, Reference, Childrens, Adult

112 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good basic overview of a wide variety of drawing concepts. I've tried a few of the exercises in my sketchbook and plan to try a few more before returning this book to the library.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes the budding art student through a step-by-step procedure to learn various art techniques.

This is a better then average art book that covers many of the foundational aspects of drawing.

However, younger kids will likely be intimidated by the complexity of some of the artist's drawings.

Notes
A good choice for older teens and adults.

Learning Curve
Low to Moderate: Lessons range from easy to challenging.

[Chloe Greenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently revisiting my bookshelf and took a good look at this book that has been one of my most prized possession for 15 years. I started taking drawing seriously when I checked this book out at the library at 11 years old. This was the first book that showed me the actual fundamentals of drawing instead of showing a confusing, step-by-step process. I checked the book out so many times that my dad bought it for me. It was so inspiring! Eventually, I went to art school, and now I'm a twice-published illustrator and have a fulfilling career in the arts. I attribute nearly all of my success to the sense of understanding and inspiration I got from this book at a very young age. If you have a child in your life who likes to draw, or if you are an adult who wants to start, I highly recommend this book and the exercises within it. And Kathryn, if you're reading this, know that you changed my life forever by creating this book!

[Devon Flaherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I decided that for art this year, we would concentrate on the art form that my kid likes best: drawing. I wanted to encourage him to draw something more than stick figure men and a constant stream of mechs shooting other mechs. While he did end up branching into jellyfish, I think this book was a little intimidating for a child. He was on board for lines and perspective, but then when he was thrust into drawing cats and dresses using shapes… it just moved too fast to instill any confidence. It’s an okay book, but there have to be better, and maybe I should have gone with drawing comics instead.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for Art for Kids by Kathryn Temple
Stephen Moses

Overall Opinion

This is an odd book to review because it is a book about drawing. I’ve recently wanted to learn how to draw so I picked this book up. As a complete beginner, I found it to be very helpful. I appreciate her insights into drawing and look forward to practicing and getting better.

My rating: 4/5 stars
(Explanation of my rating system. 1 star = I really didn’t like it. 2 stars = Meh. 3 stars = It was a good book. I liked it well enough. 4 stars = I really liked this book and would recommend reading it. 5 stars = I absolutely loved this book and you need to read it right now.)

[Audrey Sauble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did quick skim through to get ideas--the step-by-step instructions are clear and helpful, and the projects look like a lot of fun. I'd like to come back to it at some point and work through some of the projects.

[D_cezanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Temel tekniklerin basit çizimlerle öğretildiği , eğlenceli anlatımıyla sanatla ilgilenen herkes için keyifli bir kitap.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been searching for a drawing book that does a good job of teaching the principles of art, building principle upon principle and does it in a kid-friendly fashion. This book is the best one that I have found. There are some really fun art books out there, but I think this one takes the cake as far as really teaching step by step!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure why they are marketing this just to kids! I learned a lot myself! I'm seeing shapes, colors, and shadows I never paid attention to before reading this book. Interesting and well written - not intimidating at all, but also not "talking down." (author found a great balance that can be tricky in a "how-to" book.)

[Rita Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always wanted to be an artist but lacked the talent and skill, but when my daughter picked this book up from the library, Sunday afternoons became Funday with Drawing-at-the-Webbs. I not only managed to draw a passable cat; I made a beautiful cat.

I highly recommend this book.

[Rimma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the book as a research for art class for kids 8-9 years old, this is outstanding book , presenting in a simple way all art theories and concept. Excellent examples and beautiful art works, simple explanation and very good for classes for kids

[Jeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

this will be fun for my kids when they're old enough

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really basic drawing book based on really great stuff. Very easy to use, idiot-proof -- I love it.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great.

[jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating book not only for children but for adults too. a beautiful way to build confidence for the inner artist in all of us~ no matter what age you are...

[Rita Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for adults and children. Many of these exercises are above my skill level, but the step-by-step instructions make it easy to learn.

[rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was and still is one of my FAVORITE books, the pictures are beautiful and creative and i have to remember to pick this up again from the libary

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! Good companion to Art for Kids Drawing by Katherine Temple. We're always looking for good art books and we should just purchase both of these.