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oceanelle's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Not quite what I thought it was going to be, but still a really lovely and inspiring exploration of a man learning to draw and paint in his sixties. It’s refreshing in that it’s not embellished in any way; Baker is unabashedly honest about sharing his artistic growth and it makes for a funny, dry, journal-like read. I found myself admiring his work ethic and celebrating his progress as he practiced more and more.
alexis_objetautre's review against another edition
3.0
A sweet, honest, heartfelt and heartwarming book. I enjoyed watching Baker’s progress and I appreciate his (seeming and very refreshing) honesty about his journey as a drawer (and less so a painter). Even though I’d imagine there is a lot of ego wrapped up in this learning journey, this short book is rather lovely for how plainly it presents the details of that journey.
wombatjenni's review against another edition
5.0
I nearly jumped out of bed at 4AM when I finished reading this book, to go to my laptop and start looking up reference photos of people, because I struggle with drawing people - and Baker's story gave me a jolt of inspiration to just roll up my sleeves and get to drawing. (I'm going to do it now, after posting this.)
Read this book if you've ever uttered "I wish I could draw like that" when looking at other people's drawings and paintings, especially if you've ever felt that you're too old to start drawing and painting now. Baker, who at the time of writing is in his early 60s, records his progress in such a dryly hilarious manner that I found myself guffawing and rereading passages, and then feeling kind of bad that I was laughing when he said his drawing made a family look insane, or a person look like a screaming pope. Although Baker also bravely shows his drawings and paintings and the reference photos so that you can see his struggles and triumphs yourself, the way he writes about the process just adds another layer to the visuals, which is quite amazing, and makes the whole book a fun reading and seeing experience. There's also a very entertaining "side plot" where Baker is supposed to be writing a book about learning to paint, but while learning it, he gets obsessed with drawing portraits of people in pencil, and keeps on slipping back into it and finding himself rather doing anything else but using a brush.
I loved how Baker leaves a lot of room for acknowledging one's limitations and mistakes, and that the story isn't exactly a triumph of starting from nothing to becoming a YouTube sensation who now makes a living off painting portraits (because aren't all stories of triumph like that in our capitalist society, even when we talk about creativity...?). Instead, you can see his dogged pursuit of wanting to get better, the tools he uses, the tips and tricks he collects online and from workshops and... he does improve, by Doing It. At the end of the book, his drawings/paintings look... well, they look very good. I was extremely impressed.
This is one of those books I might have to own (I got this from the library), because Baker includes not just his own drawings and their reference photos, but paintings both by revered masters and people he (nor I...) had never heard of before, whose art to him is absolutely mesmerizing. I found myself writing down names to check out later, but I might as well have them all between one set of covers, available to browse and get lost in whenever.
Read this book if you've ever uttered "I wish I could draw like that" when looking at other people's drawings and paintings, especially if you've ever felt that you're too old to start drawing and painting now. Baker, who at the time of writing is in his early 60s, records his progress in such a dryly hilarious manner that I found myself guffawing and rereading passages, and then feeling kind of bad that I was laughing when he said his drawing made a family look insane, or a person look like a screaming pope. Although Baker also bravely shows his drawings and paintings and the reference photos so that you can see his struggles and triumphs yourself, the way he writes about the process just adds another layer to the visuals, which is quite amazing, and makes the whole book a fun reading and seeing experience. There's also a very entertaining "side plot" where Baker is supposed to be writing a book about learning to paint, but while learning it, he gets obsessed with drawing portraits of people in pencil, and keeps on slipping back into it and finding himself rather doing anything else but using a brush.
I loved how Baker leaves a lot of room for acknowledging one's limitations and mistakes, and that the story isn't exactly a triumph of starting from nothing to becoming a YouTube sensation who now makes a living off painting portraits (because aren't all stories of triumph like that in our capitalist society, even when we talk about creativity...?). Instead, you can see his dogged pursuit of wanting to get better, the tools he uses, the tips and tricks he collects online and from workshops and... he does improve, by Doing It. At the end of the book, his drawings/paintings look... well, they look very good. I was extremely impressed.
This is one of those books I might have to own (I got this from the library), because Baker includes not just his own drawings and their reference photos, but paintings both by revered masters and people he (nor I...) had never heard of before, whose art to him is absolutely mesmerizing. I found myself writing down names to check out later, but I might as well have them all between one set of covers, available to browse and get lost in whenever.
tylermcgaughey's review against another edition
4.0
Not the most substantial entry in his oeuvre, but fascinating for Bakerheads in what the author's choices of painting subjects reveal about his likes and lusts. For example, Chevy Chase and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez never appear to be too far from Nicholson Baker's thoughts. I can relate.
Also contains the observation that trees are "terrestrial clouds" - one of those surprising, inevitable, and perfect phrases you come across every so often that completely rewires how you look at the world. Not bad!
Also contains the observation that trees are "terrestrial clouds" - one of those surprising, inevitable, and perfect phrases you come across every so often that completely rewires how you look at the world. Not bad!
mintii's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
This book was a captivating exploration of an older person's journey with breaking into art. Set in the years 2019 to 2022, it navigates the challenges of Covid-19 and personal struggles. It creatively combines personal narrative with visual art, featuring glossy pages filled with the author's artwork against a striking black background. The design is visually appealing, and the extensive bibliography offers a wealth of inspiration. This quick read is both insightful and relatable, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in art and storytelling. A must-read for aspiring artists!
Content Warnings
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
oldschool_screenname's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It feels a little simple to say he gave up and traced. Baker was making art. He was doing it for the joy of the thing and as a means of forcing and strengthening human connection. It's not a call to end the oppressive practice of figure drawing, it's an invitation to the creative process and an account of a self assured creative person exploring ways of relating to the world.
I read a digital copy from my public library and will likely buy a hard copy to keep.
I read a digital copy from my public library and will likely buy a hard copy to keep.
popsicleplease's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.75
botanist's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.75
krstnreads's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0