Customer Reviews

Pencil Drawing Techniques

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Hi all. I draw as a hobby and have been drawing since I was a about 10. I took drawing classes before, but when I look at my previous artwork, they really don't have the "realism" that I wanted, i.e. they look too much like cartoons. I wandered around and tried looking for some books to teach me how to obtained that photo-realistic quality with a pencil.

Flipping through this book, my jaw dropped in amazement at the examples in this book. Near the end, the illustrations of zoo animals (tigers, horses, etc) were so life-like! The artist really know how to shade. I instantly brought the book.

Let me tell you, this book is very complex and loaded with information. There are lots of text for an art book. First, the book goes over the basics of shapes and different shades of pencil lead (from hard 6H to very soft 8B, the "#2 pencil" is near the middle). Then we go over shading. The book is primarily focusing on different shading and strokes techniques in order to get that "life-like" realism in your drawing. In my personal experience, trying to obtain that level takes many hours and many practice. If you are the type who gives up easily, then this book isn't for you. Nobody said drawing is easy. Or, if you are only interested in drawing nice line-arts (and letting a computer do the rest), then this book is NOT for you as well. However, if you want to draw to the highest realism with just a pencil, then this book is worth considering.

I should also mention that a small chapter is devoted to color pencils (whereas the rest, or 90% of the book, is on graphite pencil), but I haven't bother with color yet.

I like this book as it covers most of the basic topics in pencil drawing. As compared to other books for beginners, this book gives sufficient guidelines and examples. The only concern I have is that the examples are not very "real", not "live" enough. After all, I would recommend this book to beginners in pencil drawing.

My 19 year old Son and I are using this book and find it so easy to use in training ourselves to draw. It uses great pictures along with very understandable description in teaching yourself to draw.
We, both, highly recommend this book in teaching yourself to draw.

I don't really understand why this book got so many good reviews.

Personally, I wouldnt recommend it to a beginner, for the simple reason that it lacks step by step instructions, it only features 1 to 3 pictures per examples, which IMHO is insufficient for self learning shading techniques, the section on perspective is extremely brief and not very helpful.

If you want to learn to draw, try instead the Betty Edwards workbook, and for shading techniques and creating texture, try the lifelike texture in pencil by Lee Hammond, which has more detailed instructions.

Btw, if you don't believe my review, check this book out of the library, you'll see for yourself what I mean.

I bought this for my son as he loves to draw but didn't know the techniques and now he is so excited because it is taking his drawings to a different level.

This book has lots of information & was very helpful. It gives lots of helpful hints along with diagrams & examples. I would recommend it for anyone who is seriously considering drawing or just improving the skills they already have.

I am using PENCIL DRAWING TECHIQUES in a drawing class. It is excellent in every aspect. I am using it through the guidance of an art teacher, but find it an excellent source to learn drawing, shading etc. We have used it chapter by chapter. I feel that you could teach yourself by following the illustrations in it.

This has got to be one of the best instructional books I have ever purchased. It's easy and simple to follow. I use it constantly.
Thank You So Much

This is an excellent resource for beginning pencil drawers. I refer to it consistently and I highly recommend it. Definitely worth the money.

i am a beginner in pencil drawing, and as a beginner i say this book is just awsome! it takes u from the basics till u reach the developed level... but yet this book already assumes that u already know a bit of drawing..meaning: u have the skills but u need to learn how to apply them on ur work to get the best results... more or less u'll benefit from this book...it's just great!