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How to Draw Cool Stuff: The 5 Minute Workbook
Five minutes may not seem like a lot of time to allow yourself to work on a drawing, as artists have been known to take days, months, and even years to complete a single work of art. However, as this book will prove, you can draw some really cool stuff in just under five minutes.
By limiting their time, artists will start to see only the most essential parts of a subject while communicating action, movement, and expression into one timed drawing. How to Draw Cool Stuff - The 5 Minute Workbook is jam-packed with step-by-step lessons for drawing cool objects quickly – in 5-minutes or less!
Author, artist, and instructor Catherine V. Holmes will start by teaching you how to quickly interpret basic information onto paper using simple but meaningful lines made with purpose. Start by observing, then draw the main shapes within your object. Next, you’ll find simple lines and smaller shapes that build on the original ones, blocking in areas with lines and curves to represent the major details of your subject. The final steps should be filling your subject in with tone and refining shadows and highlights. Drawing under a time limit is a wonderful exercise that will help you learn how to draw more instinctively and gain a better understanding of form. The final outcome is not meant to be a polished drawing, but rather an all-around practice exercise that will improve your game and help you draw really some cool stuff with ease.
The fifth book in the How To Draw Cool Stuff series, this exciting new title will teach you how to create simple illustrations using basic shapes and a drawing technique that simplifies the process of drawing, all while helping you construct height, width, and depth in your work. It will guide you through the creative thought process and provide plenty of ideas to get you started.
By limiting their time, artists will start to see only the most essential parts of a subject while communicating action, movement, and expression into one timed drawing. How to Draw Cool Stuff - The 5 Minute Workbook is jam-packed with step-by-step lessons for drawing cool objects quickly – in 5-minutes or less!
Author, artist, and instructor Catherine V. Holmes will start by teaching you how to quickly interpret basic information onto paper using simple but meaningful lines made with purpose. Start by observing, then draw the main shapes within your object. Next, you’ll find simple lines and smaller shapes that build on the original ones, blocking in areas with lines and curves to represent the major details of your subject. The final steps should be filling your subject in with tone and refining shadows and highlights. Drawing under a time limit is a wonderful exercise that will help you learn how to draw more instinctively and gain a better understanding of form. The final outcome is not meant to be a polished drawing, but rather an all-around practice exercise that will improve your game and help you draw really some cool stuff with ease.
The fifth book in the How To Draw Cool Stuff series, this exciting new title will teach you how to create simple illustrations using basic shapes and a drawing technique that simplifies the process of drawing, all while helping you construct height, width, and depth in your work. It will guide you through the creative thought process and provide plenty of ideas to get you started.
143 pages, Hardcover
Published October 10, 2021
513 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 22, 2021
5 Minute Workbook
Wow, what neat little book. Each object is given several steps to complete. Each starts with a simple shape that anyone can make. The progress goes in simple steps that ends in a completed object! I would say that you should do the whole book several times. Its great training not to be passed over.
Wow, what neat little book. Each object is given several steps to complete. Each starts with a simple shape that anyone can make. The progress goes in simple steps that ends in a completed object! I would say that you should do the whole book several times. Its great training not to be passed over.
December 4, 2020
Awesome!
I really like this book! I’ve always been creative and crafty, but when it came to drawing I was limited to letters. Thanks to this book, I have a much better understanding of how to draw objects, shade, how to use the tools that come in the pack with drawing pencils, and look forward to it! Thanks for the help!!
I really like this book! I’ve always been creative and crafty, but when it came to drawing I was limited to letters. Thanks to this book, I have a much better understanding of how to draw objects, shade, how to use the tools that come in the pack with drawing pencils, and look forward to it! Thanks for the help!!
April 25, 2021
Great book to get you back in the saddle of drawing or get you started
Basic, clear, simple instructions make this book a must have if you are out of practice or just starting out. Helps to understand how to use shapes and lines for portions as well as define values and create depth.
Basic, clear, simple instructions make this book a must have if you are out of practice or just starting out. Helps to understand how to use shapes and lines for portions as well as define values and create depth.
June 9, 2021
Couldn't stop drawing
I usually don't read these type of books because they seem to be geared toward kids or have items I have no interest in drawing. This book is the exception. I learned so much, had several aha moments, and was drawing every spare moment I had.. Was each drawing perfect? No, but there was noticeable improvement. Strongly recommend for beginners.
I usually don't read these type of books because they seem to be geared toward kids or have items I have no interest in drawing. This book is the exception. I learned so much, had several aha moments, and was drawing every spare moment I had.. Was each drawing perfect? No, but there was noticeable improvement. Strongly recommend for beginners.
August 2, 2020
Fantastic!
I'm a bit fan of Catherine Holmes' art books. They're so useful I use them to help me make birthday cards and in lots of lessons (I teach primary/elementary/junior school). So I was.delighted.to find this one, and for free! Some lovely pictures in it, and wonderful messages about thinking like an artist.
I'm a bit fan of Catherine Holmes' art books. They're so useful I use them to help me make birthday cards and in lots of lessons (I teach primary/elementary/junior school). So I was.delighted.to find this one, and for free! Some lovely pictures in it, and wonderful messages about thinking like an artist.
February 25, 2021
This was a good how to draw book with decent pictures and good steps. My pictures did not turn out the best at least some of them. I think it is my pencils and paper that I have been using they do not blend well. It was fun the biggest problem I had was that I did not want to draw most of the pictures I just thought they were boring but not above my art skill level.
June 21, 2021
Over the past few months, I've made it through this excellent workbook by using it as a drawing warm-up most mornings. The "5 minute" is pretty will accurate for the time you need to invest, so ding 2 or 3 at a time is really convenient. It has also helped to get me into the habit of see shapes vice 2D lines.
March 27, 2022
A really great book, that lets you draw every day. The exercises only take
5 minutes to do. This helps you the artist to keep your daily sketch journal
Up to date to improve your drawing ability. What’s really great is the drawing exercises are fun and not boing. Easy to follow too, I recommend this art
book for any one interested in drawing or sketching.
Debra H.
5 minutes to do. This helps you the artist to keep your daily sketch journal
Up to date to improve your drawing ability. What’s really great is the drawing exercises are fun and not boing. Easy to follow too, I recommend this art
book for any one interested in drawing or sketching.
Debra H.
March 24, 2022
Easy to follow
I enjoyed flipping through the book at first. It allowed me to feel like I was able to start drawing instantly and I did. I would not recommend this for someone under 12 yes old.
I enjoyed flipping through the book at first. It allowed me to feel like I was able to start drawing instantly and I did. I would not recommend this for someone under 12 yes old.
October 9, 2023
Fun fun fun
This is a fun way to hone your skills at sketching. Like it says in the title 5 minutes so you can practice in short increments. I love it and will be playing with this for some time to come. It's a good one.
This is a fun way to hone your skills at sketching. Like it says in the title 5 minutes so you can practice in short increments. I love it and will be playing with this for some time to come. It's a good one.
September 1, 2025
Talented artist just not my thing.
The book was just very remedial. Not something I would recommend to anyone with a good foundation of skills or looking to advance their skills past a high school level art class.
The book was just very remedial. Not something I would recommend to anyone with a good foundation of skills or looking to advance their skills past a high school level art class.
August 30, 2020
Great
Great step by step! I’m hoping to use one of these each week with my students in Sp. Ed to help them develop their drawing and understanding of tone
Great step by step! I’m hoping to use one of these each week with my students in Sp. Ed to help them develop their drawing and understanding of tone
October 13, 2020
Great book to practice basic skills
My son enjoyed following the simple drawing steps and his skills got better as he turned the pages. Thank you
My son enjoyed following the simple drawing steps and his skills got better as he turned the pages. Thank you
November 17, 2020
This is Cool!
The work presented is so “do-able”. You can improve your skills while doodling. I love it. I’m going to collect the rest of the series.
The work presented is so “do-able”. You can improve your skills while doodling. I love it. I’m going to collect the rest of the series.
February 7, 2021
Great Book
Good choice for any level artist with easy to follow instruction and step by step visual examples to help with the idea of the completed project.
Good choice for any level artist with easy to follow instruction and step by step visual examples to help with the idea of the completed project.
March 29, 2021
Loved it
Easy to follow, great for any novice in this medium. Build your confidence up and just keep practicing.
Happy drawings.
Easy to follow, great for any novice in this medium. Build your confidence up and just keep practicing.
Happy drawings.
May 15, 2021
Love it!
I like how you can fallow so easily, even is easy for kids too. It help me to draw better.
I like how you can fallow so easily, even is easy for kids too. It help me to draw better.
August 8, 2021
Great book to have
Great book, and easy to follow helps to build visual library.
I recommend this book and other books from Catherine Holmes.
Good work.
Great book, and easy to follow helps to build visual library.
I recommend this book and other books from Catherine Holmes.
Good work.
August 23, 2021
Good for beginners
Nice boom for beginners. It covers the basics to start drawing. I would recommend it but only if you are starting.
Nice boom for beginners. It covers the basics to start drawing. I would recommend it but only if you are starting.
September 15, 2021
Very useful
Great book for drawing practice, useful for anyone who can read. Clear instructions, step by step, explanations of why shading here and how to lighten there.
Great book for drawing practice, useful for anyone who can read. Clear instructions, step by step, explanations of why shading here and how to lighten there.
January 8, 2022
The KINDLE edition can not be used. All the drawings are not clear.
I hope only, that the printed edition is better.
I hope only, that the printed edition is better.
April 24, 2022
nice and quick instructions
November 30, 2022
This is a great book for beginner artists. Simple instructions with great results!
April 28, 2023
useful for a few tips and some basic review
Not really going to deep dive on this book but I don’t regret browsing through it for tips and a few things to try.
Not really going to deep dive on this book but I don’t regret browsing through it for tips and a few things to try.
August 3, 2023
Great book
Such a helpful book. Very easy to understand. I would recommend it to beginners, and people wanted a fun way to practice drawing.
Such a helpful book. Very easy to understand. I would recommend it to beginners, and people wanted a fun way to practice drawing.
June 22, 2025
Enjoy
Awesome exercises. I enjoyed drawing them! The instructions were simple and easy to follow. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Awesome exercises. I enjoyed drawing them! The instructions were simple and easy to follow. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
December 15, 2023
A fun and enjoyable book with step by step illustrations to help you improve your art techniques. Lots of varying projects which you can build upon.
April 18, 2023
Fun book to learn simple drawing
Really liked how it went step by step and was easy to follow along. Along with pictures the text was easy to understand
Really liked how it went step by step and was easy to follow along. Along with pictures the text was easy to understand
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews