First Steps Sketching and Drawing (First Step Series) (Paperback)

by Cathy Johnson (Author) "drawing and sketching require only the simplest of materialssomething to draw on, and something to draw with..." (more)
Key Phrases: Drawing Fruit

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
These three drawing books offer quite different approaches, but only one can be recommended without qualification. Johnson's Sketching and Drawing is for the absolute beginner who may have little confidence and be intimidated by art. Through extremely basic lessons, Johnson guides one from putting a first scribble on paper to completing scenes that incorporate blending, shading, perspective, and color. Because she overemphasizes her belief that anyone can draw, even someone who can't manage a straight line, the result of her instruction is an assemblage of scribble lines that are very rough sketches at best. Nevertheless, some aspiring drawers could benefit from this approach. Capon's Drawing Techniques, though, is the most extensive compact drawing manual available. In 80 pages, Capon, a British author of a number of books on art and craft techniques, gives clear advice on materials and step-by-step exercises in a variety of drawing media. Her inspiring examples in nature, architectural, figure, still life, and abstract drawing are well chosen. While its small size and good binding make it suitable for carrying into the field, the book may leave some wanting more than its one or two pages on each topic. Woods provides the next logical step with a much more comprehensive and better-organized drawing course. The student is led by a congenial teacher through 25 lessons that are practical, enjoyable, and challenging. The former director of a British art school, a widely exhibited artist, and the author of five books, Woods demonstrates a remarkable ability to impart his gift in this highly recommended manual.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description
Whether they want to do quick sketches or detailed drawings, beginning artists can get started here. They'll find advice on when, what and where to sketch; easy and useful tips for blending, shading and other techniques; and exercises to help them learn the basics of recreating what they see on paper. Simple, step-by-step directions help readers draw believable trees, fruit, flowers, and more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1st edition (September 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891346155
• ISBN-13: 978-0891346159
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #328,053 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beginner Artist's Appraisal, June 6, 2000

By	"jleftie" (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews

This book appealed to me in its straight forward manner of presenting drawing to a beginner. Johnson has a chatty way of explaining her techniques that makes the excercises fun to do. She has included a broad spectrum of subject matter including animals, buildings, people, etc. I found the book easy to follow and very helpful and would recommend it for any artist's library.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Start ..., January 22, 2002

By A Customer

This book is not really a drawing instruction, but it has a lot of practical tips. It's easy to follow, pictoral and it contains no wordy explanation which will confuse the readers even before they begin to draw!)

The writer gave examples of 'loose drawing' in various themes, a good start for drawing from life.

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars don't waste your money on this book, April 7, 2003

By A Customer

No real advice is offered on drawing. Everything is too basic. If you're about to take or have already taken a beginners' course, this book is a waste of your precious money. You know already what she attempts to show in this volume.
Instructions are too vague, nothing you can really follow though in the hope of becoming better at drawing. Her loose style and broken up, incomplete explanantions are enough to make you want to quit. She never goes in depth, never reaches full thourough mastery of any subject within the realm of drawing. Light and shadows probably don't matter much for her, she gives no detail to enable one to move beyond shape or form.
In summery, this book teaches nothing, demonstrates nothing, just rambles vaguely here and there, never going into any part of drawing in depth.
I'd rather recommand: The art of pencil drawing by Ernest W. Watson, a book which gives great advice with beautiful demonstration drawings, simple yet clear, concise & to the point.