Sketching: Planning and Drawing

by Valerie Wiffen

No one draws perfect pictures immediately - you have to go through a process of trial and error. But the more you know about tools and techniques, the better your work will ultimately be. Improve your abilities, skill by skill, with these inviting drawing exercises. Each one teaches a specific area of expertise, while leaving enough room to exercise creativity and make the drawing your own. - Learn in detail the difference between various types of papers, pens and monotone and coloured media - so you'll be wise enough not to use a wet technique on a lightweight paper! - Evaluate the pros and cons of different viewpoints and formats. - Use perspective intelligently and imaginatively. - Capture movement with rapid line drawing. - Work on a fascinating mix of projects, from portraits to still lifes. Each one includes a materials list, as well as hints, corrections, and guidance each step of the way.

Genres: Art

128 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1998

Reviews

[Lloyd Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a nicely put-together book on drawing and sketching. Though she strays more into the finished drawing stage than most of the sketching books that I've read. The sub-title is "Planning and Drawing" and I think Valerie does this really well. For example, she has a section on "landscapes: pencil" and works though the development of the whole drawing from introducing a thumbnail sketch, to introducing the main features ...developing the composition....introducing contrast tones then shade/light features and adding marks (preventing the drawing from becoming too lifeless). She does the same sort of thing for other subject/media combinations such as still life with pen and ink. I must admit that I rather like her approach and attention to detail. I think I'll keep this book for inspiration and reference....at least for a while. I give it five stars.

[LadyS · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was not what i expected and henceforth I am disappointed. I thought the author will provide a guide for recognizing shapes and teaching the reader how to create a drawing from those shapes