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The Natural Way to Draw
Great for the beginner and the expert, this book offers readers exercises to improve their work.
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
February 1st 1990
by Mariner Books
(first published 1941)
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I normally do not review art books, as there are others who do better than that beside me, but in this book, Nicolaides is the exact archetype of the nonsensical art educator: Teaching you to draw without any basis of actual observation.
To give you a good idea, Nicolaides asks you to do three main types of exercises, which become harder with time, they are: Gesture, Blind Contour, And his "Mass exercises"; Problem is: First of all, Gesture drawing is intended for artists to use to relieve the st...more
To give you a good idea, Nicolaides asks you to do three main types of exercises, which become harder with time, they are: Gesture, Blind Contour, And his "Mass exercises"; Problem is: First of all, Gesture drawing is intended for artists to use to relieve the st...more
In light of recent reviews, I feel compelled to advocate it. I've taught university life drawing for over 16 years. If you follow the exercises and do as many as required, your drawings WILL improve immensely. While I agree it is in complete opposition to hard edged, refined type drawings--it is so only as a means. When you skip Nicolaides' experiential cohesive gestures, mass drawings and cross contours and straight through to exacting control, your drawings will remain stiff, disconnected and...more
The written parts of this books are long-winded and only marginally useful. The example images are poorly reproduced and fail to illuminate the textual content. This book's biggest selling point is the pedantic "working plans", which basically consist of "Monday: do gestures for eight hours; Tuesday: do gestures for eight hours; Wednesday: draw cubes for eight hours..." (you get the idea.)
One can achieve the same effect (or better) and save some money by just committing solidly to drawing for a...more
One can achieve the same effect (or better) and save some money by just committing solidly to drawing for a...more
There are a dizzying number of methods for drawing practice in this book, which make the author seem awsome and his book very influencial.
However, I wonder whether so many methods are really so "natural", and moreover, whether they are really necessary to learn drawing. Some students may want to perfect in, say, proportion, form modeling, or edge, etc., each of which usually takes a long time; by busily shifting from methods to methods, however, they may not have enough time and concentration f...more
However, I wonder whether so many methods are really so "natural", and moreover, whether they are really necessary to learn drawing. Some students may want to perfect in, say, proportion, form modeling, or edge, etc., each of which usually takes a long time; by busily shifting from methods to methods, however, they may not have enough time and concentration f...more
This is the best book on drawing that I own or have read. It teaches one to see. The blind contour drawing method was surprisingly helpful. If you check out one drawing book this year, this should be the one.
The instruction is beautifully written and the student drawings included are helpful and inspiring. People complain about the time suggestions ranging from 2 minutes to 8 hours. But really, do you think you are going to be the best you can be without spending the time?
The instruction is beautifully written and the student drawings included are helpful and inspiring. People complain about the time suggestions ranging from 2 minutes to 8 hours. But really, do you think you are going to be the best you can be without spending the time?
I have had this book for years. I really is the best book you could use to learn to draw life. Despite being out of life drawing classes, I continue to turn to this book. It's a great resource to reference, it's not a sit-down read.
This book details how to go about thinking, understanding the world as an artist. Along with useful exercises, there is a wondrous amount of good advice, I see this book as a necessary stepping stone in the road of expression.
Vai cat poate sa imi placa, dintre tot ce am citit si vazut abordarea asta mi se pare cea mai potrivita pentru mine
Sep 16, 2012
Sarah
is currently reading it
One of the greatest artists i know.. has recommended this book.. and i feel excited to start reading and practicing :)
Over-rated and misused by many educated.
This is for me the best book of drawing.
Jul 26, 2012
Mirian
marked it as to-read
Recommended by Lyn Lasneski and James M. Clarke
Fabulous instruction to extend drawing abilities
I'm teaching myself to draw using this book.
Brilliant, but not for beginners.
Jul 17, 2012
Lerié
added it
Brilliant! An on-going process...
Apr 19, 2012
Jamey
added it
drawing books are useless
One of the best!
a must for artist
I have bought this book twice. I can't remember where or why I first bought it but the second time was when I was teaching art. It is unlike any other book about drawing. When I let myself go and follow the instructions it's just plain fun and the result is great art.
Nov 30, 2007
Erika
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Figure Drawing Students
Shelves:
art
Nice pictues of how other artists have approached the human form. The author also includes many drawing excercises along with examples of student drawings.
I learned how to see ... to really see. This book helped in all sorts of ways to do quality surgery with excellent results.
Great exercises for skill building or just practice. A book I ought to reread more often.
Simply the bible for life drawing.
R
R
Some day I hope to return.
May 06, 2013
Yoosoo
is currently reading it
Great book!!
May 19, 2013
المسلم الصغير
marked it as to-read
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“The first function of an art student is to observe, to study nature.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
Mar 01, 2013 02:14am
hand co-ordination and is very diffic...more
Apr 03, 2013 09:51am