Drawing and Painting People: A Fresh Approach

by Emily Ball

Drawing and Painting People - A Fresh Approach is about confident and defiant art. Written by a practising artist and tutor, it contains inspiring examples, thought-provoking insights and practical advice about how to become more expressive and adventurous with your work. It is a book for people who are serious about painting and want to develop work that is personal and exceptional in quality.

Genres: Art, Drawing

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took Emily's online Floribunda course and this book reminds me a lot of that, with many similar exercises, but focused not on flowers but people. It isn't a how to draw or paint beautiful people book. It is about your own mark making, and your own hand. Pushing your own boundaries, and your own skills. There is an aliveness in Emily's work that I love. What I love about the book, and why it is one of the best art books I have bought is because she stretches me to find my marks that bring my work. The exercises push me to explore and experiment. To find things I love, and some things I don't. It is a bit like taking a workshop with Emily. In fact since I took her course, I almost hear her voice as I am reading parts of the book. You can dip in and out. It encourages risk taking, and I love it. It connects with me as an artist and pushes me not to stay safe.

[Rebecca Lowes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book, some of her drawings are really beautiful, some not so beautiful but I still love her loose, free style. There are a lot of good tips and activities to try which have inspired me and helped me to draw in new ways, this is what I needed as I have trouble with drawing people accurately...I wanted to find new ways to represent them in my own expressive style. I like this book because she doesn't force you to be a certain way, I think she wants people to be fresh like her but still individual in their own ways.

[Lorrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the cover. The author gives an art class in a book, though I am not sure I am better at drawing or painting people. It does not really cover how to do an eye, or a nose, etc. What you will get from this book are many exercises to help loosen up before doing some faces or people. Also, if you already do faces and people, this would give other approaches. (which really is what "a fresh approach" means I think??)

[Andy Getch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of thought provoking exercises and suggestions for painting with a non-representational approach. I enjoyed the examples, quotes and philosophy for experimental creativity.

[Carolyn Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Picked this up shortly after finishing an (unrelated) online course on Expressive Portrait Painting. Emily articulates much of what I believe about contemporary art & art making. (The painting IS the idea, Breakthroughs often happen when the work is disappointing, Good isn’t necessarily good enough, Make your own marks) Some of the exercises will be fun & worthwhile exploration.
My biggest disappointment is in the images chosen to illustrate her chapters. I’m not a fan of pretty, stylized or realistic portraits, but neither am I inspired by stilted, juvenile styles. (Many of Emily’s works were inspiring, as well as a few by Gail Elson)