Product Description

SEE like an artist, and draw like a pro!

If you think you can't draw, it's all in your head ... Every time you pick up a pencil, a battle rages between the two sides of your brain: Your analytical brain, which wants to generalize and take shortcuts; and your visual brain, which sees it like it is.

This innovative guide helps the "good guy" always win!

Following the success of his first book, Painting with Your Artist's Brain (North Light Books), Carl Purcell shows that the secret to creating true-to-life renderings--and overcoming the most common drawing problems--is silencing your bossy logical nature and letting your artistic side do what it does best. Thirteen interactive exercises and 10 step-by-step demonstrations lead you on an in-depth exploration of essential drawing skills:

• seeing values correctly
• searching for relationships of angle, size and position
• defining form with line and edge
• exploring the relationship between objects and space
• tying everything together with value patterns
• making the most of your sketchbook

You'll take the same observation-based approach whether you're drawing a pear, a portrait or a landscape. No subject will be beyond your reach, and you'll be amazed at your sudden mastery of drawing!

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #162184 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

About the Author
Carl Purcell has taught beginning drawing, figure drawing, watercolor painting and art appreciation at the college-level for more than 30 years. Carl is a signature member of the National Watercolor Society and an honor member of the Utah Watercolor Society, as well as a member of both the Nevada Watercolor Society and the Northwest Watercolor Society. He is on the board of directors for the Central Utah Art Center. He is the author of the popular NL book, Painting with Your Artist’s Brain.

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Customer Reviews

Essential reading & exercises!
I am sold on this book. Betty Edwards' Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is awesome, and its insights are foundational for a good artist, however, I think Carl's book is more hands on and simplifys the basic teachings with more exercises and less theory.

I recommend buying, reading, and doing the exercises in both books, but if you only get one, I would go with this one.

Just what I needed
I wanted to learn basic pencil sketching, so I went to a bookstore and browsed all the books they had on the subject. This one definitely stood out as the most practical for me as a beginner. I just want to be able to draw for fun, and the ideas of this author made a lot of sense. So I bought the book and brought it home. I skimmed the whole book quickly to get the main ideas, then I sat down, took off my shoe, and started to draw a picture of my shoe based on the ideas. It is definitely the best freehand drawing I have ever done in my life - by a mile. And that's only applying a fraction of the principles and tips in the book. I'm looking forward to digging in more.

A top pick from an artist whose PAINTING WITH YOUR ARTIST'S BRAIN has proven most popular.
If you think you can't draw, then Drawing With Your Artist's Brain is for you - and for any general-interest lending collection where how-to arts titles are popular. Here is a guide which offers step-by-step insights into how to create true-to-life renderings, overcoming personal angst and understanding how to define form, see values correctly, and use value patterns effectively. An observation-based approach covers landscapes, portraits and still life equally, applying important concepts and principles to the mix. A top pick from an artist whose PAINTING WITH YOUR ARTIST'S BRAIN has proven most popular.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch