The Elements of Drawing (Dover Art Instruction) [Paperback]

John Ruskin (Author), Art Instruction (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1971 | Series: Dover Art Instruction

Timeless art instruction guide by one of the greatest critics of them all begins with bare fundamentals and offers brilliant philosophical advice from sketching to the laws of color and composition. "The truth behind Ruskin's statements is always clear." — American Artist. 48 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Contains new illustrations and interesting notes and explanations to help students through the process of drawing. This classic retains its relevance some 150 years after its first appearance and should be on every artist's bookshelf.' Leisure Painter (June 2007) 'The book is an absolute delight and proves that traditional teaching methods by a good artist and tutor should never be overlooked in our age of digital technology and instant results.' Editor, Leisure Painter (July 2007) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

<DIV>From his early youth John Ruskin drew obsessively, a discipline
that he not only kept up right through the production of his great
literary works, but which was essential to them. This book is the
result of quite considerable teaching experience - Ruskin had been
giving informal lessons by letter to friends for some time, for he
could never resist giving advice; and he also taught more formal
classes at the Working Men's college, a duty he shared with Rossetti.
It was as a sort of distillation of all this experience that The Elements of Drawing was born; and also from his development as a draughtsman.</DIV> --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 228 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Revised edition (June 1, 1971)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486227308
• ISBN-13: 978-0486227306
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #814,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

163 of 165 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Treatise on Drawing from a 19th Century Master November 11, 2001

By hamsterdance

Format:Paperback

John Rushkin originally published this little volume in the winter of 1856/57. It promptly sold out and went into multiple printings. It is surprisingly still relevant today. Rushkin gives the reader many exercises beginning with a dip pen and ink and later moving to pencil and then watercolor (which in the 19th century was classified under drawing). I was so intrigued I actually bought a speedball dip pen and some india ink and began to practice the many exercises he gives. They work. By the time I finished the ink exercises I noticed a definite improvement from my early attempts compared to the later ones. And I am continuing the exercises.

Another fascinating aspect of this book is the snapshot it gives into the mind of a prominant 19th century art critic. Rushkin not only was a master draughtsman and painter but a widely respected art critic in his day. Monet was quoted by a British journalist to have said, "90% of the theory of Impressionist painting is in Rushkin's Elements of Drawing." A young George Seurat obtained a copy and admitted to having read it carefully. Now I'm no Monet or Seurat but I figure if these guys valued Rushkin's instruction I should certainly pay attention to what he had to say.

Rushkin explains exactly what the goal of each exercise is. He also recommends specific paintings or drawings to examine along with critiques of why this or that area in the drawing/painting is superior or lacking. He strongly believed it more profitable to study in-depth a few highly superior drawings/paintings to a wider assortment of middling/average execution. And he believed this even of famous artist's work - famous or not he advises to ignore for the moment their less masterful work and focus on the truly great ones. Rushkin pulled no punches. The entire treatise is full of his opinions right along side the exercises - yet I would say they are not opinions without merit. He gives you something to think about when looking at works of the art masters and something to strive for in your drawings and paintings so that you can become more than just technically competent. He addresses the heart and soul of drawing and painting. It made me think of why this or that particular line, shading or painting technique in an art master's drawing/painting touches me the way it does.

This is the best marriage between technical competence and artistry. And you grow in understanding that all the exercises he gives are only in service to the spirit of art. It is an emphasis that most modern how-to books don't touch. Analysis this deep in modern art books are left for books that are advertised as art critiques. Since almost all my art books fall under the "how-to" category (as anyone who's read my other book reviews will see) I found this critique aspect rather refreshing and wanting to read more such types of books.

I strongly recommend this book. Despite the lack of photos or modern step-by-step illustrations (the illustrations are line art - the most up-to-date technology for book illustration then available in an affordably priced book) I think it is very worth getting and reading. Perhaps artists who have been formally trained in universities or art academies will find this kind of instruction typical. But for someone like me who is entirely self-taught from the books he/she buys it is a great investment into expanding boundaries and knowledge of art in general.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Illustrated Edition with Notes by Bernard Dunstan - A Caveat March 21, 2008

By Douglas L. Kingsbury

Format:Paperback

I am enjoying this book. I'm an experienced draftsman, but feel that following the exercises Ruskin outlines in his book are greatly improving my drawing skills. The Watson-Guptill Illustrated Edition, with Notes by Bernard Dunstan, has added a number of illustrations of the work of Ruskin and his contemporaries, which are very helpful. They have also added additional notes to the margins from Ruskin's other writings that offer additional explanations, also very valuable. However, the modern illustrations done especially for this edition seem to me to miss Ruskin's points and may confuse a novice draftsman. Most obviously, early exercises that Ruskin emphasizes are to be done with careful precision in pen and ink are illustrated with quick, loosely executed, pencil sketches. The patience, sensitivity, and craftsmanship that the exercises are designed to develop I find largely missing from the new illustrations created for the book. I still would highly recommend this edition, advising the reader to study the modern illustrations for content but cast a critical eye on their technique.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Elements of Getting Comfortable November 26, 2006

By Mary L. Nowak

Format:Paperback

As a long time admirer of art and a first time beginner of actually tapping my artistic well, this text is like having a private mentor guiding you through specific progressive exercises. It's language is quaint and cozy to modern ears, having first been written in 1856. But it is practical, clear and encouraging. It dispells the idea that only certain people can draw. And by focussing on drawing with pencil, it provides the foundation for using any other media. A wonderful find.