Drawing from Nature [Paperback]

Jim Arnosky (Author)

Book Description

This companion volume to the PBS-TV series "Drawing From Nature" represents a "spiritual sharing of ideas and techniques by a gifted wildlife artist" (School Library Journal). Photos and drawings throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

These expanded editions now have color photographs that tie in with the PBS series Drawing from Nature. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard; 1St Edition edition (September 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688070752
• ISBN-13: 978-0688070755
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Architecture

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique among drawing books, this is a labor of love by the author:, December 13, 2006

By 

Bruce Bain "Romans 9:33/Remember Jackie Robinson" (Englewood, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drawing from Nature (Paperback)

"Drawing from Nature" --by Jim Arnosky

Arnosky has produced a valuable beginning drawing book. A simple flip through the pages shows many treasures that will inspire beginning students of drawing. No human figure drawings here, but rather the plants and animals and landscapes of the forest and stream are what Arnosky offers. No other beginning drawing book is quite like this.

The author begins with illustrations that show how to draw WATER, including trout in a moving stream, submerged tree stumps, and even a bubble on the surface. This is followed with an assortment of water creatures. Insects on the water surface, a duck, frog, snake, crayfish, and another fish amongst lily pads. This is very wonderful illustration.

Arnosky follows with a barrel serving as a water tank, illustrating dripping water from a faucet, distant hills and trees with a stream emerging with illustration of deep water and shallow water with a flock of geese nicely illustrated above. This kind of illustration repeats, showing how to draw rocks, trees (deciduous and pine) and waterfalls. Arnosky even shows how to draw small rocks and boulders, but also shows how to draw the shaped stones in arching bridges etc.

There are mountains with shading to illustrate light from different directions, and yet more birds, bushes, flowers and fruits. This is an absolute encyclopedia of flora and fauna of all kinds. There are of course deer, bear, sheep, bunnies, bats and bobcats and so on.

There is quite a list of grasses, mushrooms, bushes, and even vines with the tiniest of delicately creeping and grasping tendrils. The love that author Jim Arnosky feels for his subjects gradually dawns upon the reader. This man's romance with nature passes quickly into the heart and mind of the reader. We also begin to feel Arnosky's wonder and awe at the ever-present surrounding beauty. Studying Arnosky's text the sensation becomes palpable, almost a religious sensation. The final dozen pages or so are lovely color photographs of nature.

DRAWING FROM NATURE is one of the most wonderful introductions to drawing plants, animals and landscapes that I've ever encountered. The author is worthy of respect as a teacher.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drawing from nature, September 6, 2008

By 

ERS "ERS" (WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Drawing from Nature (Paperback)

Drawing from Nature

A good book for beginners as well as an essential item to have on the library shelves for the accomplished. As a teacher and artist, I find this book an invaluable source of ideas as well as a refreshing reminder.