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Paperback
Publisher: Mariner Books
ISBN13: 9780395530078
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Great for the beginner and the expert, this book offers readers exercises to improve their work.
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| Foundation study |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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If anyone is beginning their art program with foundation drawing this particular book is outstanding. It covers all aspects, beginning with gesture drawing,contour and cross contours. The human body is covered later on in the book.
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| A Working Plan for Art Study. |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Somewhat misunderstood. Doesn't teach how to draw, teaches how to learn to draw.
This book is for the dedicated, and it is a beginning. Complete these exercises, but more importantly draw. Draw everyday. Some complain, "It takes years!" Do you plan to quit drawing once you "learn how to draw"? It doesn't take years, it takes a lifetime of hard work. When you've finished with the book you haven't finished your study. I suggest, like Mr. Nicolaides, to proceed to George Bridgman's books.
"From the age of six I had a mania for drawing the shapes of things. When I was fifty I had published a universe of designs. but all I have done before the the age of seventy is not worth bothering with. At seventy five I'll have learned something of the pattern of nature, of animals, of plants, of trees, birds, fish and insects. When I am eighty you will see real progress. At ninety I shall have cut my way deeply into the mystery of life itself. At a hundred I shall be a marvelous artist. At a hundred and ten everything I create; a dot, a line, will jump to life as never before. To all of you who are going to live as long as I do, I promise to keep my word. I am writing this in my old age. I used to call myself Hokusai, but today I sign my self 'The Old Man Mad About Drawing."
Hokusai
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| special way to learn , not for everyone |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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First of all, I will say that this book is not for everyone and I suspect it is not for most people who want to get something quickly for having done nothing (or hardly anything). This book is a work book... the exercises are going to take you a good 2 years to complete the book if you follow the instructions of the author. Don't let the simple illustrations fool you, this book teaches some very powerful mind tools that you just won't get from any of the other art instruction books. I have a certificate in art from International Art Correspondence Schools (remember the commercials?) and although it was a good start in art for me, I will say that this book took me to the next level.
Having said that, if you just want to hurry up and draw enough to impress friends and family then I suggest another book. Teaching art is hard and learning it can be hard if you don't involve the student enough. Nicolaides uses both of your brain hemispheres as well as involving all 5 of your senses to learn to see and draw. That's very different from most art instruction books who tend to show off the author's skills more so than actually teach you how to do it yourself. I find this book invaluable to me as an artist as well as a human being. This book teaches you mental skills that you will use in many areas of life, not just art. This book made me realize that art is more than just images, but that it is a spirituality.
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| Review |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I was very happy with my purchase and I thank you for the prompt delivery
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| The Best Handbook On Drawing I've Read |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This book has completely changed my art, my ability, and my enthusiasm in pursuing the goal of being an artist. It is not a book on technique, nor is it a quick fix. It is an intense system of study that explains and teaches alongside you as you work out the problems posed. The book expects that you will attain a model, but one could also use this book with landscapes or still-life. I've actually used a computer with photos of models and that has worked very well (Check out Buddy Scalera's action pose series. They come with cds of images that can be directly loaded onto your computer. Then using your slideshow format, you can time poses and go right along with the book. This might not be the optimum way to do this, but if you're having a hard time finding the time or model to work from, this does give you the ability and freedom to learn your own way).
But back to the book. Early on in my drawing I began to copy other artists and work on techniques alone. My work became very driven then to compete with the original artist which guaranteed that my work would always sort of let me down as it's very hard to try and be someone else :) This book helped free me from those constrictions and gave me the encouragement and opportunity to explore art and drawing with my own heart and eyes and brain without relying on the masters or those who have gone before me to tell me what to see and how to see it. Going through these art lessons sincerely has really enabled me to take pleasure and enjoyment in my work again and to learn the tools of seeing and studying that best enable me to express my heart. So once again, this book is not a quick fix. It assumes one year of study with 6-12 hours of drawing a week (like a college drawing class), but one can of course cut it much shorter if one has the time and desire. The book doesn't give you quick solutions, but instead gives you tasks to do, i.e. "draw 25 gesture drawings" and also gives instruction on how to do it. If you are willing to go along for the ride, you will get better. No doubt, and if you like to draw, I dare say you'll have fun doing it. I have been really astounded by how much better I've gotten. I was studying anatomy books, and reading every book on art instruction I could find, but for some odd reason, I wasn't really improving very fast. But I laid that all aside and started working through this book and it is accomplishing all that I had hoped and more. It's funny now, because I'm gaining confidence in the basics and the work of the masters and other artists is becoming an inspiration instead of a burden to me.
Having taken several drawing and art classes in college, this 10 dollar book (versus the thousands I spent on college) has more value and wisdom than any instruction I received in school. I really can't exclaim enough, how great this book is. It's well written, thoughtful, and very very encouraging. If you've been kind of beat up outside and inside because of your skill level but have the desire to draw and express yourself with art, I really think you'll enjoy and be helped by this book.
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