Customer Reviews

Drawing and Painting Animals: How to Capture the Essence of Wildlife Art

5 star:		(8)
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This is the best "How to" art instructional book I have ever read! It is the ideal book for any artist, from beginner (even if you have never painted before), to those who want to learn new tricks. Mr. Aldrich has covered every issue, from how to primer masonite boards, how to draw & paint on location, to composition, inspiration, lighting ...the list goes on. I found other books to give you only 3 or 4 steps in "Step by Step demonstrations", where he has over 20 steps on the first demonstration, which gives you such valuable insight on how to build a painting from start to finish. I purchased this book a year ago, because I could only really draw. I had no idea how to paint, so I never even tried. One year later, I am entering competitions & creating beyond my wildest dreams. Mr.Aldrich, apart from being a fantastic artist, is also a terrific teacher, and he shares his learned knowledge in a very inspiring way. I recommend this book, it is worth every penny.

As an illustrator of nature and wildlife, I'm always looking for good books that cover the basics well and offer new techniques and insights. This book is one of the best i have seen. Instructions are clear and comprehensive, and the whole layout works very well. I've learned a few new tricks that have made a surprising difference in my art and style.

A must-have for anyone in the field of art or illustration, or for those doodlers who fancy this particular genre.

The book is concise, it doesn't reinvent the wheel. It knows you want to paint and that you know some basics. It also has just enough review if you need it so that you have a quick overview. The strength of the book is that visual and text explanations really work, step by step is a plus also. I recommend it . You will get more out of it than most sets of instructional books give you. My work is better and I am happier for buying it. NormaJean

This is a terrific reference on accurate rendering
of animals. If you are interesting in techniques
that help you capture the look in the eyes, realistic
fur and that something that makes the picutre come
alive this is a very helpful resource.

This is a very special book. Aldrich covers everything an aspiring (or experienced) artist wants to know on the process of creating magnificant animal artwork. Aldrich's work is an inspiration to those of us who dream of creating a piece as beautiful as the ones that are on display in his book. The pictures alone are worth the price. On a practical note, I learned quite a bit by looking at the tools he uses, the different mediums (and combinations) and the step by step process (which includes pictures). I also highly recommend "Painting Animals that touch the heart" by Lesley Harrison. If you love Aldrich... you'll love Harrison.

I was looking for a book on wild animal paiting and a friend of mine just picked this book from a shelf and said... I think this is like your taste.
After reading from cover to cover in just one night, I was impressed by the way I felt about the book. It has quite a lot of writing on it, but the kind of writing that inspires you to explore, think and feel about art and wild life art. It has hints, but not the kind of "take this for granted because it works". Instead, the book stimulates you to find out what suits you better, never creating rigid parameters.
Well, the overal feeling was that somehow Mr. Aldrich has written a journal about his toughts on art and wildlife art, and that he is kindly sharing his long way trip with the reader.
An awesome book and the one to which I come whenever I need a boost, not only for art pourposes, but also when I need a cheer up in my mood.

Loads of material on creating feathers fur and expressions.
The author covers the practical little details you need to learn
and in several demonstration sequences he puts everything
together. You can see the work "becoming". Very helpful reading
for anyone wanting to make realistic pieces with animal
subjects. I loved the section 'dealing with the blahs' which
addresses the point at which you go stale on a piece your are
working on.

I loved this book and learned a lot. I love the way he paints and will strive to follow his style as I develope my own. I would recomend this book for any one who wants to improve the quality and wants to capture the essence of wildlife. Author did a great job