82 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"If I can't draw, I can't be an artist", June 25, 2010
This review is from: Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun (Lab Series) (Paperback)
I've never considered myself an "artist", because I've never been able to "draw". That belief has colored my artistic expression for decades. Lately, the pull towards art has led me to some wonderful books, but THIS BOOK speaks to me. When I look through the activities, I know I can do them, and I know they are non-fail projects. There is so much fun and whimsy built in, that creating will be a joy. I stumbled on this book by accident, and what a happy accident it has turned out to be. If blank pages intimidate you, Carla has solutions to inspire.
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68 of 72 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book for young and old, June 22, 2010
This review is from: Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun (Lab Series) (Paperback)
I love this book! It just arrived today so I haven't had time to try any of the exercises yet, but I've read it through and I'm looking forward to experimenting with the techniques and creative ideas provided by the author. For many artists, drawing can seem intimidating. I myself have less than fond memories of the drawing courses I took in college and later in art school. But this book is very different from the traditional studio approach to drawing--thankfully!
The exercises and prompts in this text are perfect for kids of all ages as well as for playful adults looking for ways to add an original element to their artwork. One of my favorites is the "Imaginary Creatures" assignment, which begins with random paint splashes and encourages creative thinking as you look for "creatures" in the paint, which you then draw with an ink pen in a sketchy manner. It's pretty cool, and definitely original!
If people and portraits are your thing, the author provides several exercises that will spark creative approaches to portraiture and life drawing. Out of the seven units in the book, my favorite is called Inspired by Famous Artists. Various assignments in this section encourage you to really learn from the masters by not only copying their work but adding a special twist of your own. One example is to try creating your own abstract drawings of dogs reminiscent of Picasso's cubism style; another is trying your hand at a Joan Miro abstract drawing. The author breaks down this assignment by starting you with simple hand-drawn symbols that anyone can invent (or use the author's provided symbols). Fill your page with them, and when satisfied with the design go over the penciled lines with a dark marker. Then add washes of paint, preferably in the primary colors that Miro often used in his art. And wa-la, you have your own "Miro" drawing/painting to enjoy and admire.
Speaking of painting, I really hope that the artist will follow up "Drawing Lab" with a book called "Painting Lab!" She's great with paint, and I'd love to see a fun project book on this subject from her. Someday I hope to take a workshop with Carla Sonheim (she has a stellar reputation as a workshop art instructor), but until then, this book will do very nicely. Thank you, Carla, for sharing your creative ideas and talents with us! And do please consider writing a book someday on your creative painting techniques.
Sharilyn Miller, author of Bead on a Wire
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52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
inspiring and original, June 22, 2010
This review is from: Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 52 Creative Exercises to Make Drawing Fun (Lab Series) (Paperback)
I buy a lot of art and craft books and consider it worth the money if I get an idea or two from a book. This book is absolutely inspiring from start to finish! I love each and every of the 52 drawing exercises and can't wait to try them out. I appreciate the creative twists to the old standby drawing exercises and found lots of new ways to approach drawing. This wonderful little book is exceptionally well done and perfect for young artists and artists young at heart.
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