The Big Draw 2007 has been launched and during October over 1300 Big Draw events will take place throughout the UK.
In conjunction with the official events, Katherine Tyrrell has a new project on her blog which will run throughout October,
The Big Drawing Book Review. (Just to make it clear, this project was initiated by Katherine and is not linked to the Big Draw in a formal way.)
Now I'm a bit of a bookaholic, I absolutely love books, so I'm going to try to review one of my drawing books each week during October.
I have to start with my absolute favourite 'Drawing from Line to Life'.
This book is a complete guide to drawing realism in graphite.
It covers materials, methods, techniques and three complete demonstrations, all by professional graphite artist Mike Sibley.
It is divided into 24 chapters which start with, From Line to Life Explained and end with, Putting it all Together.
In between are chapters on techniques such as Blending and Layering, Indenting, Negetive Drawing and Erasing Techniques.
Chapters on drawing various elements such as Ellipses, Textures, Reflections, Foliage, Hair and Features.
There are also three full length demonstrations, Charlotte (little girl), Clarrie (cat) and one featuring a puppy and many other elements from earlier in the book.
This is a large book with 625 illustrations in more than 280 pages, the printing is crisp and clear and the binding means that the book will open flat if you want to refer to it whilst drawing.
I absolutely love this book, but then I am an animal artist who loves to use graphite.
The simple step by step approach yet diverse information make it equally appealing to both the beginner and more advanced artist.
The book only covers graphite and will suit artists who like total control and to produce a high degree of realism in their work, it does not cover a more painterly approach to drawing. Also many of the illustrations are of dogs, or parts of dogs because that is what Mike draws, so there is less in the way of humans.
It is also quite expensive at £35.00, but everyone I know who has bought it, has been absolutely delighted and felt that it has improved their drawing. I know it has improved mine.
Katherine has devised a rating system, I have no hesitation in awarding this book 5 pencils:-
5 pencils - go out and buy this book right now if you have the money. In your opinion, an essential book for anybody seriously interested in drawing and/or learning more about drawing.
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