Product Description

On a simple piece of paper, a fierce bird of prey can swoop down upon its terrified victim, an adoring father can share laughter with the infant daughter cradled in his arms, raindrops can glisten on the hood of a vintage sports car, a lightening bolt can cut across the night, offering a glimpse of trees ominously silhouetted against the blackness. Drawing can enrich your life in extraordinary and unexpected ways. Drawing your everyday experiences can change how you and others see the world, while drawing from imagination can give rise to fantastic new worlds. And, despite what you may believe, it’s something just about anyone can learn to do.

Drawing For Dummies offers you a fun, easy way to learn drawing basics. Its author, professional illustrator and long–time art educator Brenda Hoddinott, has a simple philosophy—that only you can teach you to draw. With that in mind, she arms you with the tools you need to explore the basics and then coaches you through 30 hands–on drawing projects. You′ll quickly

• Conquer the basics of line and shading
• Develop an eye for basic shapes and contours
• Discover how to create the illusion of three dimensions
• Render still–life subjects and landscapes
• Bring animals and people to vivid life on the page

Brenda helps you tune into your right brain and see the world as an artist does. You’ll discover how to break things down into basic lines and shapes and then reassemble them on the page. Other topics covered include:

• Understanding and exercising the basic skills of drawing lines and shapes, adding life and depth with shading, and rendering textures
• Mastering the fundamentals of composition and planning drawings
• Creating lifelike doodles and cartoon characters
• Drawing the natural environment including both plants and animals
• Keeping a sketchbook and drawing from memory
• Drawing people, starting with babies and exploring the human face from childhood to old age

It’s never too late to unleash the artist within. Let Drawing For Dummies put you on the road of discovery and self–expression through drawing.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4685 in Books
• Published on: 2003-03-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 360 pages

From the Back Cover
Hone your drawing skills with 30 hands–on projects

Discover how to draw still–lifes, landscapes, animals, people, and more!

Worried that you don’t have enough talent to be an artist? Relax! All it takes is some practice – and the tips and techniques you’ll find in this friendly guide. Beginning with the very basics – lines, shape, shading, textures, perspective – artist Brenda Hoddinott shows you how to draw just about anything, from flower petals to a child’s eye.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear–out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

About the Author
Brenda Hoddinott is a portraitist, graphic designer, and professional illustrator. She has taught both adult education and pre–school art classes and runs an art education Web site.

Customer Reviews

drawing for dummies to become an expert

Drawing for dummies is an unusual book in the respect that it lets you start drawing straight away,not scribble but actual drawings, I was that impressed I purchased another one to give to my grandson. It goes from easy to not so easy all in easy to read print and all with good illustrations. This book I would recommend for any one that is trying their artist skills out, the book does not give an age indeed it caters for all ages as she says you are never too old or young to pick up a pencil. Highly recommended.

Drawing for - Me!
I like drawing myself, but I needed a little help in some areas of drawing. I came across this book in waterstones and bought it (sorry amazon!), as it looked very informative. How right I was.

It is great for taking each project step by step, storing it in a portofolio (excuse my spelling) and looking back and reflecting on it. I have enjoyed this book, and I doubt I will ever be 'finished' with it.

Find the artist you never knew you were.
If you want to draw but think you have to be gifted with an artists eye or natural ability, buy this book and discover that everyone has the skills to become a gifted artist. I was amazed at how easy it was to start putting pencil to paper and produce something I wished to show to others.
I was so pleased with my first drawings that I went out and bought a hardback sketchpad so that I can keep a pictorial diary of my improving skills.