Customer Reviews

First Steps Drawing in Pen & Ink (First Step Series)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I borrowed this book from the library and used it so extensively for three weeks that I decided to buy my own copy. The book contains information on tools and techniques with instructions and lessons for both beginners and more accomplished artists. I feel it is a good reference that I will go back to again and again.

Having picked up a drawing pen after many long years (actually my last drawing instrument was a made by Crayola!) I found this book to be very helpful in learning the basics, fiding materials, and simply getting started. I have found it worth every cent I paid for it.

As a non-artist who's trying to learn to be an artist, this book really helped me find a medium that worked for me, and no other book has inspired me to get to work learning to draw.

You'll need some experience sketching with pencil to make most of the drawings work, but the great pen-and-ink art in this book has inspired me to get better drawing with pencil.

Note that online auction sites usually have great deals on sets of Rapidograph pens. Don't pay full price!

I wish I had had this book years ago. It would have saved me lots of mistakes and given me the courage to pursue my passion sooner.

for overall pen and ink learning from beginning to mastery. I've been drawing a lot lately, using various instruction books, and this is the best general pen and ink art book I've found. It is a substantial, well-written book and worth the price.

I like pen-and-ink because of the look of the definite lines, and interesting textures that can be achieved, and the wonderful way it combines with color washes (this topic is covered in other books). I also like drawing with ink because it avoids the draw, erase-redo, repeat habits that I was getting, and forces one to think and look carefully before starting to draw. Claudia Nice demonstrates seven basic pen strokes and then expands on them, and gives some projects utilizing these strokes, and, eventually, demonstrates several very detailed finished compositions, using a variety of subjects. She does a great job teaching how to make textures using the seven stroking techniques--crosshatch, stippling, wavy lines, etc.

By way of introduction to this medium she discusses materials needed, including the "technical pen". I am currently drawing with Pitt artist pens in three widths, but am looking forward to getting a some of technical pens--most likely a set of seven Rapidograph ones, which you can get here on Amazon--for even better results.

With this book in hand, as well as pens and paper, one can learn a lot and have success. Also, I would like to suggest a couple of other books to round out the experience, if you wish. For a more thorough background and understanding, "Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner" is best. The author, Clair Watson Garcia, is a great teacher for someone starting out, or going back--she spends a lot of time teaching you how to "see as an artist" and do line drawings in ink of things around you, rather than copying everything from a book, and before going into values, techniques, etc. Lastly, I have ordered "Keys to Drawing with Imagination..." by Bert Dodson, after looking through it in a bookstore. He does a lot with pen-and-ink, too, and I'm looking at this book as a way to expand my originality after learning techniques and practicing examples in books.

Happy Drawing!

This book is incredible. I started copying the pictures using the tips offered in the book and my pictures came out looking almost as good as theirs. It is a great book for beginners.

For those like me who are new to pen and ink, this book is a very good place to start. It provides basic information about pens and ink, how to select the right pen, ink, and paper, and how to maintain the pens. The remainder of the book describes and illustrates techniques and methods using many, many examples. Although the book gives a few examples about how to draw (faces and perspective, for example), it is not really a how to draw book. It's a great reference for the beginning artist to have in his or her library.

I really like Claudia Nice...she is a very talented artist who explains well in her illustrations. I would recommend this book to any beginner & even the more advanced student.

This book is a wonderful beginning instruction on pen and ink drawing. It gives you examples of things to practice to learn and perfect your new skills.

Very complete beginners instruction by an accomplished artist. It is loaded with step-by-step instruction and logical layouts. It has a wealth of drawing subject matter and focuses in on details important and unique to that particular project, for instance eyes when doing a portrait. Easy to read, to the point, and informative reference book.