Product Description

Based upon the author's own successful workshops, Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner helps new artists create competent, often eloquent drawings. A series of progressive lessons demonstrates such essential skills as recording edges, creating dimension, adding accuracy, developing value, balancing compositional elements, and drawing the human face, both frontal and profile views. Step by step, readers learn how to create a reasonable likeness of an object and give it spatial depth using such simple black-and-white mediums as pens, pencils, charcoal, and graphite wash. Inspirational examples and tips for success from beginning students who have worked on the same material confirm readers' successes, and allow readers to consider the advice and impressions of others at the same level.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #23366 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-01
• Released on: 2003-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780823013951
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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About the Author
Claire Watson Garcia is a faculty member at Silvermine School of Art in New Canaan, CT. Her "Absolute and Utter Beginner" courses and workshops geared toward beginning artists have been popular for 20 years. She lives in Ridgefield, CT.

Customer Reviews

Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner
When I read Mr. Bains earlier review, I was somewhat taken back by his English lesson and focus on wording of the title over content of the text. We are all smart enough to know that titles are a marketing tool. I received the impression that he might feel one should learn to draw simply by reading a book, which of course made me even more curious to read it. What I found is a very straight forward and encouraging approach to drawing that was much easier to follow than another highly esteemed book. In fact, I felt the text matched the title quite closely having read several drawing books and taken more than one day long workshop. I have continued to struggle because it takes practice drawing to learn to draw - time, discipline, desire. Discpline is perhaps the key ingredient over talent. You have to show up at the page. Ms. Garcia's words and assignments build one on the other. They are supportive both of the student (reader) and the subject matter. I teach in another field and find this method highly productive with my own students. The quotes from and examples of student's work make drawing something - anything - very approachable. So approachable I picked up a pencil and started practicing. Writing that motivates action is good writing.

As the title suggests, it's very much for the beginner
I got a pile of drawing books out of the library, this one included, after realizing that the books I already owned weren't inspiring me.

The author's approach is aimed toward adults with little or no artistic experience. Her subject matter is not unique to other books: she starts with contour drawing, then goes on to deal with basic shapes, value scale, etc. What I really liked about this book is that each topic is discussed clearly and she explains why the lessons are important. As she introduces the reader to new media (pen and ink, wash, charcoal and then conte), she gives a lot of detail about how to use them, and encourages experimentation.

The book is peppered with student efforts mixed among her own drawings, as well as student quotes. The effect is of being in a beginner's art class. It's useful to observe other's entry level work! She encourages the reader to keep trying, and to work through inevitable setbacks.

She closes the book hoping that she has given the reader a good foundation and enough confidence to continue drawing, and perhaps take a class.

Out of the pile of drawing books, "Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner" was the only one I went on to purchase.

Decent Introduction to drawing
This book is very similar to Betty Edwards "Drawing on the right side of the brain". It starts off nicely with contour drawing, and provided that you do all the excercises, you should vastly improve your drawing skills after completing this book.
I would recommend it to people who can't stand the psychobable of Dr B.Edwards.