Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased this book on a whim at my local art store. Having gained curiosity into what else is out there I found myself with mixed thoughts on the reviews of this book, some saying that the person they bought it for liked it, others claiming that it's pedantic or insulting, etc., so I thought I would offer a review as one for whom this book claims to be written. This book, subtitled "Project Book for Beginners" is me. I am a true beginner. I'm the guy that is content with being able to draw not just stick figures, but gender-appropriate stick figures (the triangle for the dress!). I'm the guy that looks at all those "real" artists saying "woooooooooooow" as they draw something with distressingly impressive ease. For me, the difference between a kneaded eraser and silly putty is that a kneaded eraser does not make imprints nearly as well as silly putty. I have never taken an art class nor have I spent years just drawing whatever I see (though I do admit to some impressive doodles over the years!). So what this book has to offer: A decent intro for the concept of starting tools. Being published by Reeves, it should be no surprise that they recommend Reeves supplies, but I assure you that I have seen far worse by way of shameless promotions - The book on Colored Pencils by Veronica Winters, I hope she received a lifetime of free Prismacolor supplies for all the advertising she did for them! Master Realist Techniques in Colored Pencil Painting in 4 Weeks: Projects for Beginners: Learn to draw still life, landscape, skies, fabric, glass and textures What I like most is that it emphasizes that some pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, and any paper will get you started. For a guy like me who wants to purchase an entire workshop before I start a new hobby, the simplistic view can be refreshingly encouraging. Basic techniques. If you're wanting to learn key concepts behind drawing, you can expect to be satisfied. You'll learn some clever tips on how to draw long vs. short grass, some shading concepts, how to draw tree bark, how to draw "negative space", and how to see an item to be drawn first as a collection of basic shapes. Some very decent drawings. Reproducible? Not any time soon, but then again, the book does claim that tracing paper isn't cheating as it helps to build drawing skill and practice! It includes "step-by-step" (more on this in a bit) instruction on specific items. This is the heart of the book and in eleven very truncated chapters, which the book appropriately entitles as "Lessons", they cover fruit, flowers, dogs, horses/ponies, cats and kittens, still life, and textures, landscapes, portraits, children, and figures in action. Why I say "appropriately", is I believe that what you are learning is more conceptual lessons than actually being able to draw that figure as you're reading the book. I put "step-by-step" in quotes because I don't believe a hairy dog complete with facial expression is really drawn in just three steps or that a horse can be drawn in four. Expect these lessons to roughly guide you in the direction you want, followed by many hours and many many sheets of paper on practice. Where this book might not be ideal: In three steps you should be able to draw a detailed and impressive still life consisting of a jewelry box, a flower, another flower in a vase, and a candle, all situated on white delicately-draped cloth replete with subtle shading and perspective. Worth $8? Considering how much classes go for, easily Yes. The knowledge contained is definitely worth sacrificing a large Burger King value meal. Is it the best use of your $8? Probably not. Considering that I have found many books on beginner drawing here on Amazon for $4-5 more dollars with 150-200 more pages of instruction, you can probably get more detailed and clear instruction for your dollar. Where this book shines is as a solid no-nonsense bullet-point-construct drawing cheat-sheet (or cheat-book). If all you need is some decent guidance and to let the understood need for practice rule the day, then this book will suffice. If you are like me and would prefer a few more than four steps to draw a bridled horse, than there are likely better avenues out there. All in all, having already spent $8 on this book as an pure impulse purchase, I'm not upset.