Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks: A Beginner's Workbook for All Ages

by Kritzelpixel

Master drawing basics in just five weeks with this workbook for beginners of all ages!

The bestselling author of Manga Learning to Draw with Fun and Learn to Day-by-Day , Isabel B. Zimmerman (aka KritzelPixel), brings you a fun, beginner-friendly program to quickly grasp core drawing techniques. Each week, you’ll develop a new skill, incorporating principles such as light, depth, and perspective into your evolving work. Whether you dream of being able to draw animals, humans, manga, or creating a comic book of your own, this workbook provides a template for how to gain confidence and see improvement right away.
With Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks , you’
No matter your age or stage—whether you’re a beginner or returning after a long time—Isabel B. Zimmermann offers tools to watch your skill set soar!

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

96 pages, Paperback

Published July 18, 2023

Reviews

[Bethea Scovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve always wanted to learn how to draw something with dimensions. Everything I create is very “flat”. This instructional guide is fantastic! It breaks drawing down into the basics. First, there is a focus on fine motor skills with practice drawing lines, arcs, and circles. Then, there is a focus on shapes and how to look for shapes in the subject matter being drawn. There is a section all about perspective and how to accomplish creating dimensions. Additional lessons are on drawing people (proportion, center of gravity, capturing movement), and shading.

Each chapter has written instructions along with areas in the book to complete the exercises. Tools needed for each exercise are explained and things are kept simple. At the end of the book are sites for additional resources and contact information for the author.

This is the best drawing resource I have found. Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC of #LearntoDrawin5Weeks by #KRITZELPIXEL in exchange for honest feedback. I will be purchasing this book so that I have it as a reference and workbook. - 5 stars

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've seen a lot of books that teach drawing. This one is the easiest and you get the most out of it. Each chapter introduces expanding theory so that by the end of the book you can practice your new knowledge on your drawings.
I really liked the interactivity in the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for a free digital review copy. This is my honest review.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks netgalley for the Arc.

The book looks really interesting and the sketches/exercise looks promising. There are a few format issues which will be corrected I think. Otherwise, I believe I will improve my drawing skills following this book.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks is a very well written and attractively formatted tutorial guide by KritzelPixel. Originally released in German in 2020, this English language translation from Penguin Random House on their Zeitgeist imprint is 96 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats. It makes finding info much easier later.

This is a useful book full of prompts and exercises for improving drawing techniques set up in a workbook type format. The writing is encouraging and reassuring. It's set up in chapters week-by-week, with exercises which aim to improve: fine motor skills, dimension, shapes, shadows, and craft. The author illustrates with simple lessons throughout which most readers will be able to easily recreate in their own sketchbooks.

Four and a half stars. The illustrations are simple and in black & white / greyscale throughout. Recommended for school or public library collections, activity/maker's group studios, home artists, as well as a potential resource for more formal classroom instruction.

The translation work is entirely seamless and it doesn't read as though it had been translated. The text is in 1st person and is direct and easy to understand. The instruction reminds me of the one-on-one tutelage you receive from a well run workshop class.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Jennyfer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks is a comprehensive guide to teach even those struggling with stick figures the basics of drawing. Broken down into a section per week, the book has the reader focussing on:
* Fine Motor Skills
* Dimensions
* Shapes
* Shadows
and finally, Crafting it all together

I will add a caveat here that I had some formatting issues with my arc, so I wasn't able to review all of the text as well as I would have liked. However I was still able to read a good amount of it, and the illustrations and exercises were quite clear.

The book goes riiight back to basics, including how to hold a pen and how to move when drawing for maximum efficiency and clarity of lines. There are some detailed pieces of theory on each topic, followed by practical exercises to do for the week. Towards the end of week 2 and into week 3 we start to look at figures and how to break down what you see into shapes you can draw, exploring 3d shapes and faces, which seems like a big leap until look further at the exercises.

The end goal is to be able to draw people, and the last section is all about balance and movement and scale and perspective and finding your own style. This book is primarily about the *technique* of drawing so while there is a section on aesthetics and composition, there is more focus on figures and individual elements rather than the bigger picture.

A useful resource for drawing and illustration theory and techniques, with some good practice exercises in there, too.

~Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

[Janette Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Drawing is supposed to be fun! You don't need to be talented; anyone can learn to draw, and we each progress at our own pace."

This book contains the following five weeks of drawing lessons;

Week 1 - Fine Motor Skills
Week 2 - Dimension
Week 3 - Shapes
Week 4 - Shadows
Week 5 - Craft

This book does a good job of explaining and illustrating the basic skills needed for drawing. The book provides a list of drawing materials in chapter one. Chapter one is my favorite part of this book because it consists of warm-up exercises that anyone can enjoy.

Chapters Two through Five include more advanced techniques that will be a challenge to beginners. I think a person with limited drawing experience would need to be extremely motivated and determined to finish all the lessons in five weeks.

I agree with the author that anyone can learn to draw. I think a person who is committed to learning the skills in this book will be successful if they are willing to practice, practice and practice some more.

The author provides links to access video tutorials. These videos should be very valuable in mastering the skills.

MY RATING: 4 Stars Out Of 5

Thank you to NetGalley for an excellent reading experience.

[Fae k · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks is a great textbook for young and old artists who want to learn drawing basics quickly. This beautiful and beginner-friendly book by Isabel B. Zimmermann, commonly known as KritzelPixel, teaches basic drawing skills.

Each week in the book covers a new ability. KritzelPixel teaches light, depth, and perspective in simple steps. Visual examples and the author's own tales boost learning and make it a fun read.

QR codes allow access to author-created explanation videos, making this book unique. These videos help readers see and comprehend the drawing classes.

Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks' workbook approach is commendable. Readers practise and grow with enjoyable daily activities and easy suggestions. The book inspires young artists to write from the start.

This guide gives you the technical ability to draw animals, humans, manga, or even your own comic book. It welcomes beginners and reentrants.

Finally, KRITZELPIXEL's Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks is a great resource for drawing beginners. Isabel B. Zimmermann's skill and interesting instruction make this workbook helpful. This book is a must-have for artists who want to improve.

[PinkPanthress · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗜 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸.

In this non-fiction Art Book the Author promises to teach us how to draw in 5 Weeks
It is divided into 5 parts, one Chapter for each Week.
•Fine Motor Skills
•Shapes
•Dimension
•Shadows
•Craft

The Author doesn't know me and my life-long Quest on how to learn to draw even the easiest Stick Figure.
The author failed also to teach me with Success… but that's Ok. 🤣

It doesn't mean, that the Author will fail with teaching other People reading this Book.

¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦ · ¦ ߹ ¦

The weekly Exercises were quite okay and I guess, that enough people should be able to learn something out of this Book.

A 3.8 Star Rating from me!!!

𝑰 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞³ 𝐁𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫!

[JoyReaderGirl1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all would-be artists, Isabel B. Zimmermann’s (AKA Kritzelpixel on YouTube, etc.) “Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks—A Beginner’s Workbook for All Ages,” is one of the best hands-on drawing tutorials that I’ve found.

She patiently explains how to develop fine motor skills through repetitive practice movements with hand techniques drawing and shading curved patterns. Lessons then progress to three-dimensional shapes—balls, pyramids, boxes; then still life groupings; perspective, vanishing points and dimensions; finally forms, faces, and bodies.

Also included in this easily accessible guide are tips on holding design materials properly (pens, markers, charcoal, pencils, etc.); as well as the extensive range of art supplies available and methods of their use.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Isabel B. Zimmermann’s (AKA Kritzelpixel), and Publisher Zeitgeist for this advanced reader’s help copy (ARC) for review.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

A wonderful introduction into the principles of drawing, this book literally replaces an introductory course, and gives those of us who had always wished we were artistically inclined the confidence of strong guidance in the basics one needs to know before they can even hope to make a convincing drawing, painting, etc.

I especially love how this book breaks up learning into week long bite-sized pieces, that make the concepts taught easy to learn and practice.

A top-notch book on leaning the basics, and putting what you learned on paper after each lesson, I would highly recommend this wonderful instructional book to anyone (from teen to retiree) who has always wished they had artistic talent (you just might surprise yourself, with help from this amazing book).

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Think you can’t draw? You are wrong and Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks will teach you how! The guide gives lessons by the week, with practice exercises to be done daily. It begins with a discussion of the materials you���ll need to have on hand. Then you move on to drawing lines, curves and connecting the dots. How does this lead to recognizable art, you’ll wonder? By the last lesson, 5 weeks later, you will be able to draw realistic portraits and thumbnail sketches. Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks is a well organized how-to-draw book for beginners and an excellent reference for more experienced artists. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Zeitgeist and KRITZELPIXEL for this ARC.

[Jacqueline Nyathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but it was bewildering. The exercises appear to be geared towards beginners, but turn out to be fairly complex, with a fair bit of theory included. There are links to video help, which I did not click through to because I wanted a fairly straightforward read-through; perhaps if you take this as a workbook, and take 5 weeks to learn, you will get much more from it than I did.

Still, will be of value for those who want to learn to draw better, and perhaps of more value for those who are at intermediate level. Also great that it’s in comic format—the text is zoomed in when you tap on a block.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Zeitgeist for the ARC.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this yesterday and couldn't wait to share how easy it is, for someone who has never considered themselves great at drawing, I am loving the pencil sketches I worked on in the very first three chapters of this book. I did not know anything about coordination of movement, of my arm and wrist in drawing, even such a thing as how I hold the pen-this is fun, easy to follow and encouraging.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good beginner drawing book. It felt quite a lot like a beginner class with homework. There are lots of black and white illustrations and examples. It didn’t particularly inspire me or feel fun, but it did seem to do a great job of breaking down good drawing into steps and easily acquired techniques. It will work for adults or older kids and teens.

I read a temporary digital copy of this book via NetGalley.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks is an accessible and non-intimidating introduction to drawing. Its exercises and equipment recommendations are straightforward, starting with the basics and working onwards from there. It is a workbook, so not ideally suited for ebook users -- I will be buying a paperback copy -- but the instructions are clear and friendly.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lessons in Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks are easily followed, even if you have no experience in drawing. The explanations are clear and the examples illustrate each principle well. This is a very good instructional workbook and would be extremely useful in honing your skills.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zeitgeist for the ARC.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out very simple with introductory exercises to warm up and loosen your hands with doodling and mark making and then it expands from there all the way to multiple different perspective exercises. Some are really easy and some are really sophisticated. It's not "fun" but it's serious and a great look at not just drawing techniques but how to get into the right mindset and how to hold the pen and move your arms etc. A very different and interesting guide. I've been really enjoying working my way through it.

with gratitude to Zeitgeist and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like how this book is set up. Each week the focus is set on a skill building on the previous skills you have learned before. I love the exercises throughout to help you master each technique. A great beginning book for someone just starting out or needing to brush up on their drawing skills.

Thanks to Net Galley and Zeitgeist for the advanced copy.

[Jenny Blacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, simple enough for someone new to drawing to understand but with some good fundamentals for those of us who can 'kinda draw' but need some more structure to our practice!

Have added it to my wishlist to keep as a reference

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

[Maryna aka Ryna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been quite some time that I did any art. Last time did so much drawing was when I was still in high school. This book was quite useful. It helped me quite a lot to get my very rusty skills back to what I like it to be.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can learn to draw. This book can help with a new hobby and is great for summer when children are home and looking for something to do. This would make a great gift for anyone.

Thanks for the free/gifted book. @zeitgeistpublishing.

[Shaena Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Honest review from my ten year old, artist daughter.

This book was fantastic! Some great step by step techniques I can use in my daily drawing. Definitely recommend.

[Jayasree B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really helpful for someone who looks to improve their skills. Beginners may find it a bit too much, but with practise one can overcome that. A good book to learn and practise.