Expressive Drawing: A Practical Guide to Freeing the Artist Within

by Steven Aimone

The many people who long to draw—but feel too intimidated to try—will rejoice at the wonderful first entry in this brand-new creative series. Written by arts educator Steven Aimone, it’s packed with solid, friendly, hands-on instruction, as well as inspiring images, and backed by the trusted AARP name. Aimone teaches an accessible style called expressive drawing that emphasizes line and mark, rather than rendering a specific object, which for many people, can create barriers to self-expression. Exercises start off simple and quick, encouraging readers to work on instinct and feeling, while the later ones focus on detail and refinement. The book features hundreds of images of work by well-known artists from Debuffet to Jim Dine—and each chapter includes a profile of someone who came to drawing late in life and achieved recognition.

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction, Reference

216 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Michael Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a motivational guide than an instructional manual, this book describes general themes in drawing — e.g., repetition, rhythm, shape and texture — and provides a lot of illustrations by professional artists. I enjoyed it only slightly less than the Experimental Drawing book.

[Parka · Rating 3 out of 5]

(More pictures at parkablogs.com)

The multiple 5-star reviews on Amazon lead me to get this book. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I expected.

The book teaches expressive drawing as compared to representational drawing. Whether or not you'll like this book will depend on which drawing style you like.

Representational drawing aims to create a likeness to what's seen. Expressive drawing, at they teach in this book, aims to link the artwork to your ideas and emotions.

The guided lessons cover the art basics such as line, shapes, balance and others. There aren't any lessons on rendering shadows (representational art) or composition (e.g. golden arc/rectangle or guiding the eye).

Many lessons are give ideas on loosening up and playing around with art, with respect to the particular subject taught. However, the emphasis is on enjoying the drawing process, rather than worrying about the end product. Maybe because of that, many examples fall into the category which I'm not particularly fond of -- abstract art. I feel that it's difficult to appreciate these artwork unless you're the one who create them.

You can preview more pages on Google Books - I wish I had - before deciding if it's your type of book.

[Casey Sommers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh... It was not totally what I expected. Felt a bit dated in its content.

[SewUnicornish · Rating 2 out of 5]

Now that my brain feels like mush, I'll try to write this review.

I feel like this is going to be the hardest review I've ever written. While I did not find the book to be totally bad, it just wasn't for me. I only gleaned two or three points out of the whole book that I plan on using in my own art practice. The idea of 'flux' interested me the most.

I did not do any of the workshops since it was completely focused on abstract art. And to really do them you need a studio. Other than the workshops the book teaches you how to read or interpret abstracts. This is where it got bad. Over and over it told me what I was looking at. It told me what a triangle is and what it means. It told me what a pattern is and how you make one. I was like, didn't I learn this in kindergarten? It explained what a vertical, horizontal and diagonal line is. And what they mean in relation to art. There were a few representational pieces in the book but they break it down into the shapes and lines as if you are still looking at an abstract. By now you can probably tell I'm not that into abstract art.

And I think this book made me like abstract even less. I think if you've never drawn in your life, and you're really scared and art blocked...this may give you the encouragement you need. At the end it tells you how to continue your journey in art. And it pretty much tells you you have to go get classes and go to school to be an artist. Whoa okay so big controversy there....no comment.

This was a hard read mostly because it's just explaining shapes ,lines, up and down, left and right.
There was some parts about composition which were helpful but they don't even call it composition. They use weird words for just about everything. I think to be artsy sounding. I just think the book needs a different title. I didn't learn much about expressing myself in art. But I leaned what a triangle is.

[DavePidgeon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful and fabulous book to help you understand and develop your drawing. It is as philosophical as it is practical, and, although the coaching and the examples favour the abstract and gestural and instinctive processes of drawing, the book would benefit representational painters to.Aimone is a fantastic tutor!

[Georganne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for the absolute beginner, and would be most effective used in conjunction with a class that teaches this kind of drawing/painting. I think it would be hard for a beginning painter to use this book alone. It could be useful to get used to painting (brush handling, using paint, working big, etc.) in a personal manner of self expression or as therapy. It will not teach you to draw, nor will it teach you to paint in a representational way. An experienced artist could use the exercises in this book as a warm up. Interesting, and could be fun, but not really for me as I'm about as representational as it gets.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that every artist should have on their shelves, especially those interested in breaking free and loosening up. The book is chocked full of useful exercises that will open up your mind to new possibilities. It focuses on abstract but is helpful for anyone who is wanting to shake things up. Step by step, it will guide you into several fun exercises. It's a "workshop in a book!" Enjoy.

[UrbanWildflower · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I am going to go back to again and again.

[Rita Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun exercises but they is very little emphasis on technique.