You Can Draw It in Just 30 Minutes: See It and Sketch It in a Half-Hour or Less

by Mark Kistler

Emmy Award-winning PBS host Mark Kistler's new book takes the adult coloring book craze to the next level—now hobbyists can easily create their own drawings using Mark's groundbreaking and accessible new system. For every serious artist, there are five people who want to be able to create a complete drawing in one sitting. You Can Draw It in Just 30 Minutes offers easy-to-follow, clearly illustrated lessons to draw objects from everyday life. Perfect for both the aspiring artist and for anyone who just wants to take a quick creativity break, You Can Draw It in Just 30 Minutes is full of fresh, appealing instructional twists and fun "art hacks," including tips for customizing or expanding on each drawing. The result? Drawings you want to recreate again and again.

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction, Reference

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2016

About the author

Mark Kistler teaches art. He has run thousands of elementary school workshops, written art books, and starred in the public television series The Secret City, The Draw Squad, The New Secret City Adventures, and the Emmy-Award-winning Imagination Station, all teaching art.

[author photo credit: Lois Bernstein]

Reviews

[Stephanie Waterhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative. Sequel to You Can Draw in 30 Days.

Offers directions in drawing certain objects. List of materials are presented. Step by step technique.

My grandson and I like to take afternoons picking out an object to learn how to draw, following the directions...then comparing who did it better. Fun activity for us, but it also helps us in our technical abilities.

Fun. Helpful. Resourceful. Recommend

[Jeffrey Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text is an accessible and comprehensive guide for budding artists.

The book covers an impressive range of topics, with 25 detailed lessons that teach readers how to sketch everything from bananas to tree frogs.

The book structures each lesson, offering clear, step-by-step instructions, clever hacks, and bonus challenges to enhance creativity.

The breadth of the subject matter ensures readers gain a versatile skill set, while the glossary of art terms solidifies their understanding of artistic techniques.

What stands out most is Kistler’s engaging and conversational writing style, which makes the material feel approachable and fun.

His humour, personal anecdotes, and emphasis on overcoming “drawing anxiety” are very enjoyable.

The timed, 30-minute structure of each lesson is innovative, encouraging efficiency and confidence while making the process feel achievable for beginners.

However, the book could benefit from more advanced challenges or resources for experienced artists seeking depth beyond foundational skills.

Also, while the reliance on tracing and hacks is beginner-friendly, some readers might view it as too simplistic.

Remember, this book is an introduction to drawing.

Overall, You Can Draw It in Just 30 Minutes is perfect for those new to drawing or anyone seeking a quick, enjoyable introduction to sketching.

It’s a must-read for anyone looking to build confidence and creativity in a short amount of time.

[Audrey Sauble · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really great introduction to drawing well while working fast. I like how each of the projects starts with drawing tips, before breaking things down into easy shapes. I have a fair bit of experience, so I’m finishing the drawings in well under 30 minutes, but it’s been a great refresher and a fun way to get back into graphic drawing.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

gets you drawing quickly

I found this book useful to get me drawing quickly and having fun however I am halfway through and I found some of the drawings not very realistic and started to lose interest.It is a shame because I really enjoyed the first half.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book on learning to draw by looking at the shapes.