Drawing for Beginners

 

Sterling Press has published this book by David Sanmiguel which explains drawing techniques in a simple straightforward manner.  One doesn’t need a lot of expensive tools; any kind of paper will do, along with a sharp pencil.  Although as one grows more proficient, there is a wide array of materials to master. 

My youngest grandson loves to draw.  He will pull an object out of his imagination and it quickly materializes on paper.  No stick figures for him, but a full formed torso, appendages, and all other elements that make up the human figure. One time though he had a dilemma.  I was carrying a rather large purse and he was unsure how to reproduce it on paper.  We talked about the basic shape, a rectangle, with a half round handle.  Although his army of people was fully formed he said, “I never thought about their various shapes, they were just there!” 

This book, “Drawing for Beginners” is more than “just there!”  Topics such as mediums, techniques, and subjects are discussed.  The author takes his audience on this learning experience by beginning with basic line drawing structures.  He teaches us that each object we see has definite geometric shapes and contours.  We learn that shading and texturing enhance them.  Further study reveals that we can make our drawings move by either highlighting or omission of some elements.  Perspective is another area covered in this book while utilizing various types of hatches. 

“Drawing for Beginners” maps a wonderful discovery of shapes and forms and how to see them when drawing and experiencing the world around us.