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The Complete Book of Drawing: Essential Skills for Every Artist
Including over 500 illustrated exercises and drawings, this title provides the aspiring draughtsman with inspiration and practical advice on how to develop the skills.
Paperback
First published November 1, 2004
About the author
Barrington Barber
186 books32 followersBarrington 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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 17, 2013
Very strong tutorial, let down by some of the facial drawings, which look very hurried - but gives me hope!
Drawings of old master paintings are amazing.
The book is excellent at giving ideas for drawing projects.
Drawings of old master paintings are amazing.
The book is excellent at giving ideas for drawing projects.
January 16, 2015
A good book for the Artist who never finished or the beginner. Any other kind and different degrees of Artistic skill will love and appreciate the detail given to the how and why some art is made into masterpieces. It can give you inspiration on making you into a Friday evening Micheal Angelo. Its full of valuable information about shading and perspectives. If you been out of your drawing pad and refreshes some of the skill you may or know you posses. Its a good addition also to your art collection keeping with the lessons you might have learned in high school or college. Get this book and let the creativity begin.
September 29, 2019
Excellent
March 21, 2020
Kniha vhodná pro začátečníky jako všeobecný návod ke kresbě, který mohu doporučit.
Jediné, co to kazí, je občas krkolomný překlad a to, že zde chybí návod, jak pracovat s barvami.
Jediné, co to kazí, je občas krkolomný překlad a to, že zde chybí návod, jak pracovat s barvami.
October 18, 2021
Good refresher but might be difficult for beginners to follow
June 17, 2022
Not bad
It was mostly seeing other artists work than seeing how to do. It was good but if you want to learn how to draw I won't recommend it.
It was mostly seeing other artists work than seeing how to do. It was good but if you want to learn how to draw I won't recommend it.
June 29, 2022
Kinda sucks and it's honking massive but I drew a cool owl from here once so
May 10, 2025
I've always wanted to learn to draw and a friend gave this to me 10 years ago! I have finally made it a nightly routine to unwind, after getting my daily reading in (beats mind-numbly watching tv!). So, sometimes I am really tired, but do the work anyway.
This is a great book to learn to draw - never drawn before... I'm about 1/7 (14.5%) through it and really enjoying drawing everything (even if it is just an illustrated sketch of the concept and not an exercise!). It has enough depth and scope to at least get a foundation in drawing.
My only criticism (so maybe 4-4.5 stars?) at this point would be on perspective pieces with layers. It doesn't always or fully suggest where to start (foreground!) or how to approach more complex things or which pencil or even how sharp. But in the end you just figure it out and play with it. (I've just been using the same H pencil the entire time, and mostly until it is really dull - even though I have others and a sharpener....)
Like any creative process/endeavor, you just have to show up and do the work. Who cares. Be fearless. Make the "mistakes" (no such thing, just lessons). Learning to draw has been such a pleasure and a joy. My spirit really thanks me.... Have fun and enjoy!
This is a great book to learn to draw - never drawn before... I'm about 1/7 (14.5%) through it and really enjoying drawing everything (even if it is just an illustrated sketch of the concept and not an exercise!). It has enough depth and scope to at least get a foundation in drawing.
My only criticism (so maybe 4-4.5 stars?) at this point would be on perspective pieces with layers. It doesn't always or fully suggest where to start (foreground!) or how to approach more complex things or which pencil or even how sharp. But in the end you just figure it out and play with it. (I've just been using the same H pencil the entire time, and mostly until it is really dull - even though I have others and a sharpener....)
Like any creative process/endeavor, you just have to show up and do the work. Who cares. Be fearless. Make the "mistakes" (no such thing, just lessons). Learning to draw has been such a pleasure and a joy. My spirit really thanks me.... Have fun and enjoy!
December 7, 2018
A realistic approach to understanding the fundamentals of drawing
This book is a good guide to any budding artist, or anyone wishing to improve their own drawing skills. A good range of techniques and related exercises are suggested. It is hard to see how anyone with an interest in drawing would not benefit from the practice of these. One of the features is the authors ability to relate to known artists and how they used certain techniques and methods to great effect. As a result not only does the reader have the opportunity to improve their drawing skills, but they will also gain a deeper appreciation of the use of these skills by great artists throughout history.
This book is a good guide to any budding artist, or anyone wishing to improve their own drawing skills. A good range of techniques and related exercises are suggested. It is hard to see how anyone with an interest in drawing would not benefit from the practice of these. One of the features is the authors ability to relate to known artists and how they used certain techniques and methods to great effect. As a result not only does the reader have the opportunity to improve their drawing skills, but they will also gain a deeper appreciation of the use of these skills by great artists throughout history.
July 7, 2016
I like his drawings especially his landscape drawings.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews