Draw Real People! (Discover Drawing) [Paperback]

Lee Hammond (Author)

Book Description

Series: Discover Drawing | Publication Date: March 15, 1996

Having trouble drawing a nose that looks like a nose? In this step-by-step guide, Lee Hammond will teach you how to draw realistic-looking portraits of your favorite people—more easily than you ever thought possible.

Really!

The secret is in the blending: With pencil and paper, Lee shows you how to create gradual, smooth shadings of light and dark to replicate the subtle contours of skin…and how to use these simple shading techniques to make any shape look three-dimensional.

After you've got the basics down, you'll see how to draw every part of the face. It's made easy by looking at each feature as simple, interlocking shapes, then adding the right highlights and shadows. In no time, you'll be drawing realistic noses, mouths, eyes, ears…even facial expressions.

Then you'll see how to put all those features together to create an expressive portrait that actually looks like your subject! Step-by-step demonstrations guide you all the way.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A professional artist and instructor for 20+ years, Lee Hammond has authored and produced 40+ North Light and ArtistsNetwork.TV products. She has owned and operated the Midwest School of Art in Lenexa, Kansas for six years and now has a studio in Overland Park, Kansas where she teaches. She conducts drawing seminars, gives school lectures and mentors nationwide. Visit her website at LeeHammond.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (March 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891346570
• ISBN-13: 978-0891346579
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #7 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Figure Drawing

More About the Author

A professional artist and art instructor for more than twenty years, Lee has authored seventeen North Light books. She owned and operated the Midwest School of Art in Lenexa, Kansas for six years and now has a studio in Overland Park, Kansas where she teaches. She conducts drawing seminars, gives school lectures and mentors nationwide. Also a certified police composite artist in the Kansas City metro area, she has worked with “America’s Most Wanted.” A contributing writer for The Artist’s Magazine, she is also licensed with many of NASCAR’s racing teams to produce art. Her work is seen online at www.leehammond.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for beginners dedicated to improving, September 25, 2003

By 

Fish Cheeks (In Your Dreams) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Draw Real People! (Discover Drawing) (Paperback)

"Draw Real People" is one of the best art instruction books out there. Many art instruction books that teach you how to draw are too boring and difficult to follow, and the drawings aren't really all that interesting either. In Hammond's book she breaks down everything into simple steps. Hammond's techniques, gridding and shading, are so obvious that I wondered why I'd never thought of them before.

Throughout the book you'll find step-by-step instructions, exercises, examples of Hammond's own work and before and after drawings of her students. After implementing Hammond's technique, my drawing skills improved greatly. Instead of looking cartoonish and sketchy, they looked realistic and smooth. I was so thrilled with my progress that I went and got the rest of the "Discover Drawing" Series. I was bit disappointed, however, when I saw that half of each book was devoted to gridding and shading. They were the same exact things Hammond taught in "Draw Real People."

I recommend to beginners to only get two of Hammond's books: Draw Real People (good for portraits) and Draw Fashion Models (good for people, clothing, hair, etc.). Once you get a hang of gridding and shading you can basically draw anything, so there is no need, in my opinion, to get the rest of the "Discover Drawing" Series. All you'll need to do after that is practice.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Draw Real People' ---It really works!!, January 20, 2002

By 

Monica (MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Draw Real People! (Discover Drawing) (Paperback)

Hi. I'm thirteen years old, and drawing has always been kind of an enjoyable hobby for me. My sister owns this book, and I was impressed with it so I started going through it Step-by-step. I did EVERYTHING the book told me to do, and I was AMAZED at the results!! Lee's blended pencil technique is easy to learn, and like she says repeatedly in the book, your drawings will only get better and better. Soon realistic drawings begin to become second nature to you.

Try it out for yourself! Do EVERYTHING the book tells you to do or you'll miss out on great things!! It's fun, and rewarding, so go ahead, "Draw Real People!!!"

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Draw Real People, July 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Draw Real People! (Discover Drawing) (Paperback)

I am just getting back into my artwork after many years. Although I have always drawn many things I never thought I possessed the talent or ability to draw a realistic portrait. Whenever I would attempt it, the portrait would be a beautiful picture of someone, but NOT the person I was attempting to draw. I just could not seem to make it look life the person. When I followed Lee Hammond's method using the grid, my portrait came out not only realistic, but it looked exactly like my daughter. My friends and family were amazed by the exact likeness of the portrait. This was on my very first attempt. I would highly reccomend her book. I plan on getting seriously into portraits now. I cannot believe what I was able to accomplish through her instruction. I am definitely going to be purchasing more of her books.