Anyone Can Draw: Create Sensational Artworks in Easy Steps

by Barrington Barber

In this enjoyable drawing guide, Barrington Barber takes as his starting point the belief that anyone—whatever their experience—can learn to draw well. Beginning with the basics of mark-making, he shows how line, tone, proportion, and careful observation can be combined to create convincing, realistic drawings. Designed with absolute novices in mind, as well as those who would love to revive their skills, this book will enable all users to take pleasure in the activity of drawing. Sections include Marks and Materials, Line Drawing, Tonal Drawing, Observation in Drawing, Proportions and Perspective, Composition, and Useful Practices and Projects.

Genres: Art, Drawing

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Barrington Barber originally worked in advertising and television as designer and art director. Then taught at Ealing Art School. Then practiced as a freelance designer, illustrator, painter at Augustine Studios. He was Head of Art at St James’s Independent Schools. Author and illustrator of Fundamentals of Drawing and about 20 other books for Arcturus Publishing. Now paints, draws and writes about art.

Reviews

[Carlee Pawa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mum brought all these collections of art books because I'm talented at doing art work.

[Jane Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a classic for those who want to draw the human body, plus a few animals as well. It was first published in 1939 and reissued in 1947. I picked it up sometime in the 1950's. I recently got it out and found some of my old practice sheets folded in the back.

The authors go piece-by-piece through the human body blocking out hands, feet, heads, etc. with simple forms then expanding into completed forms. These are static studies but show extreme motion as well. The authors illustrate the body's of males as well as females, something often neglected in other books. No matter 1939 or 2009 the human body under the vintage clothing in some of the illustrations does not change as they show in transparency.

The final section of the book is examples of the body in works of art. The authors do much of the illustration using broad pastel strokes which can be of-setting for some but makes for very vulumptuous figures.

[Genetai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interessant boek wat heel mooi weergeeft hoe je moet basis kennis al zeer interessante tekeningen kunt maken. De voorbeelden zijn helder en de "kneepjes" die de auteur laat zien zijn simpel en logisch.

Nu enkel zelf nog eens beginnen met tekenen. Dit boek geeft mij in ieder geval wel de wil om toch maar weer eens te beginnen en te oefenen. Vooral ook omdat de nadruk erg ligt op schetsen en de grove vormen goed krijgen in plaats van details uitwerken. Als ik zo zou kunnen tekenen als zijn schetsen dan zou ik al erg blij zijn.

Het boek bestaat wel een boel uit voorbeelden en niet zozeer uit omschrijvende tekst. Persoonlijk vond ik dit echter een positief iets en ik heb nooit het gevoel gehad dat er extra tekst nodig was om iets te verhelderen. Leuk voor beginners maar als naslagwerk voor technieken zijn er vast wel betere boeken beschikbaar.

[Kiwi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this book because I was interested in art, and I wanted to learn how to draw. In this book, Barrington Barber explains how to draw, and also has drawings in there to help you. This book really helped me learn to draw better. Now I actually know how to draw okay.