Lessons on Shading (Dover Art Instruction) [Paperback]

W. E. Sparkes (Author), Art Instruction (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Art Instruction | Publication Date: February 2, 2007

This time-honored guide shows artists how to introduce shadow, light, gradation, and reflection to drawings. Filled with illuminating advice on deepening volume, evoking sunlight, and creating mood, this fascinating study also relates the different shading techniques necessitated by pyramids, cones, spheres, vases, and other shapes. Features 87 expert illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Dover Ed edition (February 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486454517
• ISBN-13: 978-0486454511
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #202,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Art > Instruction & Reference > Study & Teaching
  • #52 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Art > Instruction & Reference > Drawing
  • #55 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Drawing > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Shading Techniques, May 12, 2007

By 

Chez Libby "Chez Libby" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lessons on Shading (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

In the 19th century artists at all skill levels learned how to shade a form correctly. Many even well known artists of today have less technical skill than a so-called amateur artist of the late 1800's. This reprint from Dover Books was published in 1900, way before the attack on "Academic" art in favor of the propoganda espoused by 20th century artists, museum curators, critics and teachers that proclaimed that classical drawing was passe and that artist's didn't need to learn technique before "expressing" themselves. Well, if you want to learn to expressive yourself masterfully when you shade a form, I would heartily recommend this book. Although concentrating on charcoal shading primarily, and pencil hatching in a secondary sense, the information presented here is clear and will translate well into any media. It's a very reasonable price, easy and quick to read, and has information that is rare to find in the rash of "how to" books of today written by artists with barely passable skills in drawing and shading.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sorry-no rave review here., January 11, 2009

By 

tarpalsfan "book fiend" (E.Springs,A.R) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lessons on Shading (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

I hate to leave negative reviews, but this little book is just about useless to me. I don't know about anyone else-but as an artist; I don't have time to flip through pages of text trying to find the illustration that goes with it when I am trying to study. Nor do I have time to read over pages of defunct source list and art supplies that no longer exist. I know that this thing was first printed in 1900-my question is whats with the re-print? There is better instruction to be found-I'd send it back to Amazon- but the books not worth the postage it would take to do so! Sorry to disagree with the other peoples reviews-but Lessons on Shading is one of the least useful art instruction books I have forked over money for in a long time.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lessons on shading, September 6, 2010

By 

kari lynn - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lessons on Shading (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

From what I have read so far in this book I like. Easy to understand & has taught me a few things on how to shade & where which is where i was having my problems. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to draw.