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Lee Hammond's Big Book of Drawing
Master the Essentials of Realistic Drawings
With Lee Hammond's Big Book of Drawing , your art will spring to life! From laughing children and frolicking tigers to fruit so vivid it makes your mouth water, you'll discover how to realistically draw your favorite subjects and how to draw them well! Learn
• Use easy-to-master graphing and shaping techniques to better portray your subject
• Replicate the effects of light through blending and shading
• Accurately render the personalities of people and animals
• Realistically draw flowers and natural elements by applying hard or soft edges
• Achieve a range of effects by using different brands of colored and graphite pencils
Whether you're a beginner or a professional, with Lee Hammond's instruction you'll find the arsenal of tools you need to create stunning, real-life drawings that will captivate your audience.
With Lee Hammond's Big Book of Drawing , your art will spring to life! From laughing children and frolicking tigers to fruit so vivid it makes your mouth water, you'll discover how to realistically draw your favorite subjects and how to draw them well! Learn
• Use easy-to-master graphing and shaping techniques to better portray your subject
• Replicate the effects of light through blending and shading
• Accurately render the personalities of people and animals
• Realistically draw flowers and natural elements by applying hard or soft edges
• Achieve a range of effects by using different brands of colored and graphite pencils
Whether you're a beginner or a professional, with Lee Hammond's instruction you'll find the arsenal of tools you need to create stunning, real-life drawings that will captivate your audience.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2004
14 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Lee Hammond
51 books33 followersLee Hammond is known as “The Queen of Art”, by her publisher, North Light Books! She is a prolific writer and artist, in a variety of themes. With more than 40 years’ experience, she is the true pro when it comes to art instruction, illustration, and forensic art.
POLLY “LEE” HAMMOND
Lee Hammond is an author, illustrator and art instructor from the Kansas City area, who now resides in Naples, Florida. Her career spans more than 35 years. She is now the Artist in Residence for the Rookery Bay Research Reserve in Naples, Florida, where she teaches art in a variety of mediums and subject matter. She is also the official artist for the Friends of the Florida Panther organization, and the Naples Zoo.
Lee Hammond’s passion is teaching, and has owned and operated private teaching studios her entire career. Within her studios she has taught fine art to literally thousands of aspiring artists.
Lee is also a prolific writer who has had more than 35 books on art instruction published by North Light Books in Cincinnati. She has been their best selling author for more than 20 years and releases new books for them on a regular basis Her books feature step-by-step instructions for drawing and painting, utilizing her own proven, self taught techniques.
Lee is also a forensic illustrator and sketch artist for the Police. She started a career in law enforcement in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1978, where she was trained as a forensic artist, and certified with Smith and Wesson. She continues to aid various law enforcement agencies by drawing composites of suspects, as well as reconstruction drawings for identifying John Doe cases. She is also an expert age progression artist. Her drawings have been integral in solving many cases.
She moved to Kansas City in 1981 to work for the Kansas City metro Police Departments and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. She then married. Raising a family forced her into a self imposed retirement from law enforcement in 1983, finding it too difficult to be on call with small children. She then concentrated on teaching and writing, creating a very successful career with a strong following of loyal students and readers. She wrote books on illustration, specifically portraiture, and continued to hone her skills and expertise in facial anatomy.
The murder of a young woman in Leawood, Kansas in 2002 prompted her return to law enforcement, and she volunteered her services to help with the case. When the case was not immediately solved, the TV show “America’s Most Wanted” was also called in to gather national attention. They created a show based on the unsolved murder, and asked for leads. Because of the professionalism of her work, the producers of “America’s Most Wanted” hired her to work on their show, to help them with future cases. The case that brought them to Kansas was ultimately solved due to her drawing.
She worked for “America’s Most Wanted” on many cases, and is also on other true crime shows. She continues to offer her services to Police Departments in SW Florida.
Other career highlights for Lee include working as an illustrator for NASCAR®, creating drawings and paintings of the race car drivers. Those prints were sold all over the country, and on QVC.
Her prints are not limited to the sports market however. Lee also creates beautiful drawings and paintings of many different subjects, including animals, scenery, and floral. Fine art prints of these pieces of artwork are sold nationwide.
Lee’s newest endeavor is branching out into other genres in the publishing world. She is releasing a motivational book titled REACH!, in 2016, through Balboa Press, a division of Hay House Publishing. She will be offering motivational speeches and lectures upon its release, as well as REACH related artwork, illustrations and note cards.
Lee is also working on a novel titled “Remembering Anthony”, which addresses teenage suicide and bullying. Based on a childhood friend who took his own life more than 40
POLLY “LEE” HAMMOND
Lee Hammond is an author, illustrator and art instructor from the Kansas City area, who now resides in Naples, Florida. Her career spans more than 35 years. She is now the Artist in Residence for the Rookery Bay Research Reserve in Naples, Florida, where she teaches art in a variety of mediums and subject matter. She is also the official artist for the Friends of the Florida Panther organization, and the Naples Zoo.
Lee Hammond’s passion is teaching, and has owned and operated private teaching studios her entire career. Within her studios she has taught fine art to literally thousands of aspiring artists.
Lee is also a prolific writer who has had more than 35 books on art instruction published by North Light Books in Cincinnati. She has been their best selling author for more than 20 years and releases new books for them on a regular basis Her books feature step-by-step instructions for drawing and painting, utilizing her own proven, self taught techniques.
Lee is also a forensic illustrator and sketch artist for the Police. She started a career in law enforcement in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1978, where she was trained as a forensic artist, and certified with Smith and Wesson. She continues to aid various law enforcement agencies by drawing composites of suspects, as well as reconstruction drawings for identifying John Doe cases. She is also an expert age progression artist. Her drawings have been integral in solving many cases.
She moved to Kansas City in 1981 to work for the Kansas City metro Police Departments and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. She then married. Raising a family forced her into a self imposed retirement from law enforcement in 1983, finding it too difficult to be on call with small children. She then concentrated on teaching and writing, creating a very successful career with a strong following of loyal students and readers. She wrote books on illustration, specifically portraiture, and continued to hone her skills and expertise in facial anatomy.
The murder of a young woman in Leawood, Kansas in 2002 prompted her return to law enforcement, and she volunteered her services to help with the case. When the case was not immediately solved, the TV show “America’s Most Wanted” was also called in to gather national attention. They created a show based on the unsolved murder, and asked for leads. Because of the professionalism of her work, the producers of “America’s Most Wanted” hired her to work on their show, to help them with future cases. The case that brought them to Kansas was ultimately solved due to her drawing.
She worked for “America’s Most Wanted” on many cases, and is also on other true crime shows. She continues to offer her services to Police Departments in SW Florida.
Other career highlights for Lee include working as an illustrator for NASCAR®, creating drawings and paintings of the race car drivers. Those prints were sold all over the country, and on QVC.
Her prints are not limited to the sports market however. Lee also creates beautiful drawings and paintings of many different subjects, including animals, scenery, and floral. Fine art prints of these pieces of artwork are sold nationwide.
Lee’s newest endeavor is branching out into other genres in the publishing world. She is releasing a motivational book titled REACH!, in 2016, through Balboa Press, a division of Hay House Publishing. She will be offering motivational speeches and lectures upon its release, as well as REACH related artwork, illustrations and note cards.
Lee is also working on a novel titled “Remembering Anthony”, which addresses teenage suicide and bullying. Based on a childhood friend who took his own life more than 40
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 31, 2026
This book is suitable for beginners to intermediate levels with some understanding of basic fundamentals. Look elsewhere for any lesson in perspective, color theory, etc. This book IS good for other reasons:
Demonstrations are mostly reliant on grid technique, so this is a good lesson in adhering to photo references. If you’re reading to improve in a drawing class, an area like reproductions, or 2D commissions, this is useful.
Portraits focus on reference rather than understanding of anatomy, but drills in some understanding of values and texture above all else. This is great for beginners and texture is sometimes overlooked by instructors.
In the botanical section we see more selective choice of composition based on photo references, but also a great explanation of art materials and papers used for those willing to experiment. If you read this for the portraits, pay attention to the use of color and shadows in the botanicals.
I also liked that color codes were included as well as material lists which makes it easier to follow along using prismacolor or translate into another medium entirely.
Demonstrations are mostly reliant on grid technique, so this is a good lesson in adhering to photo references. If you’re reading to improve in a drawing class, an area like reproductions, or 2D commissions, this is useful.
Portraits focus on reference rather than understanding of anatomy, but drills in some understanding of values and texture above all else. This is great for beginners and texture is sometimes overlooked by instructors.
In the botanical section we see more selective choice of composition based on photo references, but also a great explanation of art materials and papers used for those willing to experiment. If you read this for the portraits, pay attention to the use of color and shadows in the botanicals.
I also liked that color codes were included as well as material lists which makes it easier to follow along using prismacolor or translate into another medium entirely.
January 25, 2018
Lee Hammond's All New Big Book of Drawing is a step-by-step tutorial to mastering realistic drawing techniques.
WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Artists of intermediate and advanced skills will pick up many tips from this book. Though the sub-title of this book says it is for beginners, I think most beginners might struggle simply because the book does not cover some basics, e.g perspective.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Because the author is self-taught, there is a simplicity and directness to his tutorials. He makes drawing concepts simple and easy to follow.
..........Read more on: http://www.ysstephen.com/2018/01/revi...
Many thanks to F+W Media for review copy.
WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Artists of intermediate and advanced skills will pick up many tips from this book. Though the sub-title of this book says it is for beginners, I think most beginners might struggle simply because the book does not cover some basics, e.g perspective.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Because the author is self-taught, there is a simplicity and directness to his tutorials. He makes drawing concepts simple and easy to follow.
..........Read more on: http://www.ysstephen.com/2018/01/revi...
Many thanks to F+W Media for review copy.
February 9, 2021
A rather superficial glossing over without ever going into any real depth, she seems to be an art author more interested in how many books she can write rather than spending time giving the depth of information that would be of any real help. In all her books, she also keeps her readers imprisoned in using grids to draw, apart from her book on drawing horses which is her best as far as I'm concerned, a author with a real interest in her readers would encourage them to move on to a freer form of drawing and throw away the crutches of grids.
June 20, 2019
There is a lot of good information in this book. At times you are given step by step instructions. At times you will see her finished beautiful drawing with very little instruction. This would make a good reference book for a beginning artist. However, the beginning artist might need more than just this book in their library.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
I received this galley from NetGalley.
November 18, 2012
In my opinion, Lee Hammond could teach a little more technique in her books, before moving on to the more difficult elements. It is very hard to explain well enough through writing; it is much easier to have an actual lesson with Hammond or see videos of her drawing. So, I understand how she feels.
This book has basically everything from drawing ears to flower petals, to full portraits, to cat's noses. The step-by-step sketches are very helpful, and precise. One of the best sections in this book are the clothes. Accessories and clothing can be difficult to draw, especially getting that 3-D form and texture. But Lee Hammond makes it look simple!
I also like how Hammond gives tips on how to properly do toning and shading. Using a tortillion (which Hammond suggests to use) makes it easier to blend, and create amazing shading-- now I don't have to worry as much about that!
Even though it may be considered cheating, tortillions are very useful tools. In school, our art teacher says that eventually, we'll have to learn to use our pencils to blend well enough. But if you just don't have the time or experience, then a tortillion would be a good addition to your art supplies!
Anyone who wants to draw well should buy this book, and learn to draw REALISTICALLY! In no time, you'll be sketching portraits in a few minutes...
This book has basically everything from drawing ears to flower petals, to full portraits, to cat's noses. The step-by-step sketches are very helpful, and precise. One of the best sections in this book are the clothes. Accessories and clothing can be difficult to draw, especially getting that 3-D form and texture. But Lee Hammond makes it look simple!
I also like how Hammond gives tips on how to properly do toning and shading. Using a tortillion (which Hammond suggests to use) makes it easier to blend, and create amazing shading-- now I don't have to worry as much about that!
Even though it may be considered cheating, tortillions are very useful tools. In school, our art teacher says that eventually, we'll have to learn to use our pencils to blend well enough. But if you just don't have the time or experience, then a tortillion would be a good addition to your art supplies!
Anyone who wants to draw well should buy this book, and learn to draw REALISTICALLY! In no time, you'll be sketching portraits in a few minutes...
March 21, 2011
This book was assigned for my drawing class. It's a very good book if you're wanting to draw things from observation (sketch or draw things that you see), or if you want to learn/work on shading and blending. If you're wanting to learn skills to draw things from your head, you may want to read another book, in addition to this one or in replacement of it. It doesn't teach things like 2-point perspective, or more than basic anatomy. There are a lot of good tips and tricks that can be gained from it for drawing people and animals, and some of the advice for facial feature placement is very useful. It taught me how to draw eyebrows decently, something I could never get the knack of before (hey, drawing a good eyebrow is hard!)
It's not a very difficult or advanced book so I would recommend it to someone beginning at drawing.
It's not a very difficult or advanced book so I would recommend it to someone beginning at drawing.
March 17, 2019
I received my digital copy from North Light Books.
Lee Hammond is an extremely talented artist. She breaks down different areas of drawing techniques (perception, texture, etc.) so that a beginner/intermediate drawer can understand what to do and become better. I hope to practice the techniques suggested by Hammond and become better.
Lee Hammond is an extremely talented artist. She breaks down different areas of drawing techniques (perception, texture, etc.) so that a beginner/intermediate drawer can understand what to do and become better. I hope to practice the techniques suggested by Hammond and become better.
March 3, 2012
A brilliant book, but I think it needs to stay more on the topic of pencil drawing before rushing on to colour.
October 8, 2013
This is the book that taught me how to draw.
May 27, 2012
Great study guide for images.
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October 24, 2018 Do you love drawing do you want to be great at drawing well I got their right book for you. This book is a Lee Hammond's Big Book of Drawing by Lee Hammond with is a non-fiction information book that is all about learning how to sketching at any level.
The Big Book of Drawing by Lee Hammond is a book that teaches you step by step. It states from the basic of shading, 3d shading and increase to full facial, facial hair and body. It a picture demonstrating how to sketch it step by step with pictures and describes at the bottom.
In total the book was really lovely especially when you love to sketch and it bring out the creativity in you even if you know how to sketch.
The Big Book of Drawing by Lee Hammond is a book that teaches you step by step. It states from the basic of shading, 3d shading and increase to full facial, facial hair and body. It a picture demonstrating how to sketch it step by step with pictures and describes at the bottom.
In total the book was really lovely especially when you love to sketch and it bring out the creativity in you even if you know how to sketch.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews