Drawing: A Complete Guide

by Giovanni Civardi

This is an essential book for anyone learning to draw, or wishing to improve their drawing. Starting with the basics of drawing techniques, Civardi gives expert advice on drawing portraits, the clothed figure, hands and feet and scenery, finishing with a section on the importance of light and shade. Civardi's technical advice and practical tips, accompanied by his own outstanding drawings, make this an invaluable resource for any artist.

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction, Reference

440 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

Giovanni Civardi is a sculptor, ritrattista and illustrator.

In parallel with his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brera, he studied medicine and surgery.

Ciondolo for more than ten years, he worked as an illustrator for newspapers, magazines, also making book covers.

He has made numerous personal exhibitions in Italy and abroad.

Author of drawing books for amateurs and aesthetics, he has been a professor of anatomy and drawing of the human body in public schools and private establishments.

Reviews

[ika · Rating 4 out of 5]

What we have here is essentially a guide to a specific author’s style with very detailed descriptions of media used, hints and techniques, also with a bit of guidance about what to look for, what avoid, and how to organise your workshop as an artist. What I didn’t learn from this book is how to actually draw. Chapters on perspective and shadow could have been a little more thorough, but still it’s a nice read, and even better to watch. The author’s examples are magnificent, and I am quite sure I will learn a lot just from looking at his art. Still, it’s not for beginners, but more advanced artists who want to learn more about drawing from life, especially portraits.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok to read a little complex at times, I did enjoy it though 3/5 for me.

[Fátima Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

. Folheei e não resisti a comprar. O livro é bonito e prático. Comprei porque sempre gostei de desenhar, sem ter grande jeito, nem nunca ter tido formação. E já comecei, com aquilo que penso ser algum sucesso. Caras são o mais fácil. Alguns animais também. Pés e sobretudo mãos, são o mais difícil. Mas há também a perspetiva, e um sem fim de problemas que eu gostaria de ter tempo para aprender a resolver. Quando souber desenhar mãos, a minha classificação talvez aumente para cinco!

[CinnaRoc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really glad I bought this book. After being a self taught freestyle artist for 3 years as an adult I finally decided to pick up a guide. And it is so hilarious to me that I waited this long to seek help. My art is improving drastically the more I apply the things offered in this book as references. I recommend for any beginner or intermediate artist.

[Miguel Jarabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it gives a bit of information each techniques, it's still a nice overview. I learned a bit of everything from portraits to landscapes from this book alone. It's a good book for a beginner artist who wants to learn the basics of every aspect of sketching.

I might say, you can jump between pages if you are already confident about your techniques and have a decent skill of sketching.

[Atp · Rating 5 out of 5]

i like this book

[Alexis A · Rating 4 out of 5]

gave me all the terminologies and everything i need to learn

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of seven Civardi books in a series, most interesting of which is Drawing Light and Shade, which dwells on the recent Western technique of chiaroscura. Civardi is a classically-trained artist with a distinctive cross-hatching drawing technique with pencil and given to high precision and realism. Recommended for those who have already picked up a pencil to draw before, but the terminology and jargon can frighten away more introductory students of drawing.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for some more basic information about drawing things other than people. This book concentrates on portraits.

[Faseeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is very good book

[Natty]

It was not what I was expecting
I ordered it online and I thought it was going to be a how to
But it just has pictures and some explanations in it