Customer Reviews

The Drawing Breakthrough Kit: A Shortcut to Drawing Confidently with Simple Lines

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The ability to draw images on paper with pencil, pen, or brush is a skill to be learned regardless of any native artistic talent that might otherwise be present in the person of the aspiring artist. That's why this newly expanded and updated second edition of John Hasting's "The Drawing Breakthrough Kit: is so invaluable an approach for the novice artist. The 'Hasting's Method' is to recreate a special drawing of simple objects, the you check the drawing utilizing see-through paper by placing the drawing over the original image. "The Drawing Breakthrough Kit" allows for increasing the size of the work with larger drawing grids and have fewer pre-drawn lines to trace. Ultimately the student artist will be able to graduate to the 10 pair of practice sheets where there are no grid squares and no pre-drawn lines to trace. Of special note is that with each individual practice session, it's possible to compare the drawings and thereby visually the improvements which is a terrific benefit to keeping up motivation and effort. Using "The Drawing Breakthrough Kit" the student will master the building-block lines while learning how to use them to draw other types of lines. Comprised of a sturdy 44-page Single-Ring-Bound Book with Instructions, Techniques, and Removable Reusable Practice Sheets - all printed on heavy card stock, a pad with 200 Sheets of 4 and 1/2 by 6 inch Tracing Paper, 2 Black Felt-tipped Pens, and a Roll of Removable Tape, "The Drawing Breakthrough Kit" is especially recommended as an art classroom studies curriculum supplement and is particularly appropriate for individual or independent studies for anyone of any age seeking to master the art of drawing for themselves.

When author John Hastings became frustrated with the difficulties of the drawing lessons he was taking; he took matters into his own hands, and developed a revolutionary new way for people from all walks of like to learn how to draw like a professional. The outcome was THE DRAWING BREAKTHROUGH BOOK.

THE DRAWING BREAKTHROUGH BOOK is, perhaps, one of the simplest how-to guides on the market. Hastings has combined illustrations with actual photographs to depict the proper way to draw anything you happen to see - from angles to shapes, and so much more. His instructions are clear-cut, precise, and simple enough for someone in grade school to understand; however, he manages not to alienate anyone by keeping things on a level that would appeal to want-to-be artists of all ages. The fact that Hastings was not an artist himself, and managed to learn to draw only boosts the reader's confidence, inspiring them even more to achieve their goal of art.

I have been the owner of THE DRAWING BREAKTHROUGH BOOK for quite some time now; but I feel it took the introduction of THE DRAWING BREAKTHROUGH KIT to make me fully appreciate its tips. The ring-bound pages of THE DRAWING BREAKTHROUGH KIT make it simple for the budding artist to lay the book down flat, and peruse the tips illustrated (no pun intended) within its pages; while the removable tape (something I never even knew existed) is a fantastic tool for creating straight lines, and getting the most out of your art. A perfect companion to its predecessor THE DRAWING BREAKTHROUGH BOOK!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I am a huge fan of John Hastings' The Drawing Breakthrough Book. Mr. Hastings has figured out what no one before him could...how to make the skill of basic drawing easy to master for the non-artist. This new kit is an absolute must have for anyone who seeks to learn how to draw and lacks the skill and confidence to achieve it on their own.

Mr. Hastings has broken down the complexities of drawing into easily digestible pieces. This kit includes everything you need to perfect your technique. It's like taking a master class without having to leave the comfort of your own home! Mr. Hastings provides you with a series of increasingly difficult exercises you will master through repetition and you can check your progress by laying your work over the comparison sheets he's provided. You get the information, tools and the materials you need to get started as soon as your kit arrives. Step by step, line by line, lesson by lesson you will learn how to draw from a true master artist and teacher.

You have no further excuse for not freeing your inner artist and you can thank Mr. Hastings for making it such wonderful fun. I highly recommend The Drawing Breakthrough Kit for anyone who has secretly longed to learn how to draw. You will learn and you will enjoy every moment of the journey.

Margot Potter
Author and Freelance Designer
The Impatient Beader Series
Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed
Beyond the Bead

I already own Mr. Hastings' "Drawing Breakthrough Book" which has been invaluable to both myself and my husband, and eagerly opened this new kit!

It doesn't disappoint. This kit is a terrific resource to practice the skills that you're learning, and check and track your progress. Any budding artist, hobbyist, crafter, or homeschooler will enjoy this easy, user-friendly system for learning to draw.

My hobby is sewing, and this system of drawing lines, shapes, patterns, and measuring to scale has been priceless as I learned to make my own patterns. My husband, now retired, has taken up carpentry as well as drawing, and uses these skills to draw new projects AND create blueprints. He's an avid birdwatcher and gardener, and is enjoying learning to draw and paint.

This reasonably priced, reusable and easily portable (I keep mine in a 3-ring binder) is a terrific companion to "The Drawing Breakthrough Book" or just by itself to learn and to practice. Well worth the money.

What an innovative little kit this work is! I have had John Hastings' The Drawing Breakthrough Book for some time now and this kit is designed to accompany and enhance the author's original work. This kit includes a workbook which is made of very sturdy paper stock (held together with a clip ring for easy use) a packed of perfectly sized tracing paper, scotch tape and two pens). Actually the paper and pens are just a nice bonus as the actual work book is the meat and potatoes of this kit.

The author has concentrated on the three basic shapes that make up any drawing; the straight line, the circular line and the elliptical. Building on these basic drawing lines the reader/student is given some wonderful basic exercises which is bound to please and improve the student's skills. The book is broken down into various lessons which include ten line-drawing exercises; Square drawing Practice, Circle Drawing Practice, Ellipse Drawing Practice, Visualizing the Building-Block Lines, Recommended Readings.

As I have said many times before, there are things, endeavors if you will, in life that simply enhance your existence. I firmly feel that everyone should read, and read all they are able, learn a second language, learn to play a musical instrument and read music and learn to draw/paint. You do not really have to be good at any of these to reap the benefits; they merely make life better no matter what your level of expertise or skill. Painting makes a person acutely aware of the thousands of colors and shade that surround us in our world and drawing makes all of us more aware of the strange and wonderful shapes that we encounter everyday, no matter where we live. This little kit and the accompanying book make the process of drawing so much easier.

This booklet is quite concise in its directions and the author has been able to break each exercise down so that even the most inept (like me) can understand and through that understanding, execute. I do highly recommend this one. This is also a wonderful tool for the home school set and would be ideal for use in many therapy units.


The Drawing Breakthrough Book: A Shortcut to Artistic Excellence

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

This elegantly designed little kit consists of 44 practice sheets of simple line drawings along with 200 sheets of tracing paper. Also provided are two black felt-tipped pens and some Scotch brand removable tape to tape the tracing paper over the sheets.

The kit is at the heart of the drawing program devised by artist John Hastings in which he has the student begin by drawing three simple lines--straight lines, circular lines and elliptical lines (lines, as Hastings puts it, that are "parts of circles as seen from an angle"). He notes:

"If you practice musical scales, then it's easier to play more complex music. Likewise, if you practice drawing simple lines, it's easier to draw more complex shapes."

This should be purchased with Hastings' "The Drawing Breakthrough Book." Together they make a nice present for someone (such as yourself!) who wants to learn how to draw.