Drawing with Your Artist's Brain: Learn to Draw What You See, Not What You Think You See

by Carl Purcell

SEE like an artist, and draw like a pro! If you think you can't draw, it's all in your head. Every time you pick up a pencil, a battle rages between the two sides of your Your analytical brain, which wants to generalize and take shortcuts; and your visual brain, which sees it like it is. This innovative guide helps the "good guy" always win! Following the success of his first book, Painting with Your Artist's Brain (North Light Books), Carl Purcell shows that the secret to creating true-to-life renderings—and overcoming the most common drawing problems—is silencing your bossy logical nature and letting your artistic side do what it does best. Thirteen interactive exercises and 10 step-by-step demonstrations lead you on an in-depth exploration of essential drawing You'll take the same observation-based approach whether you're drawing a pear, a portrait or a landscape. No subject will be beyond your reach, and you'll be amazed at your sudden mastery of drawing!

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2007

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most helpful book on drawing, in particular on the mental processes that form the basis of good drawing and help avoid pitfalls, that I have ever read in my life as an artist. The first two chapters of this book not only form the basis of the rest of the book’s logic, but they feel like the key to so many other books I’ve read in the past that all explain similar methods and practices without focusing on the rationale behind them and what to look out for in your mind, and why the major issues that all artists encounter are completely natural, nothing to beat yourself up over, and easily avoidable if you know what you are looking for and how to focus mentally on the task at hand. I can not recommend it enough...

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good points here. I could see this being great as a reference to flip back to. It really does make you think more about what it is or why you're putting certain lines on your paper. The examples and comparisons are extremely polarized but it does make the point clear. And I think most artists can imagine where they fit on the imaginary scale. It doesn't matter how skilled you think you are, your perception can always be off and it helps to understand why.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you have been drawing all your life it never hurts to review the basics. There is always something to learn. I love the way this book breaks down the process of drawing and teaches you how to look at everything around you.

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful