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shea_proulx's review
5.0
At a time when I didn't know how to move forward, this book helped me delight in drawing again. It's a recipe for wonder and enthusiasm. Everyone needs this.
sawyerbell's review
5.0
With each book, Barry further refines her thinking and teaching. I loved reading this and will continue to practice the exercises--not only the art exercises, but also the way of thinking and noticing and being.
wombatjenni's review
5.0
Everyone who's ever thought that they're not "good enough" to draw or write should read this book and do the exercises. It's just so cathartic to do something so innately human - to create - without feeling the pressures of being good at it. Lynda Barry is a master in guiding your inner critic to shut the hell up.
(Everyone should also read her Syllabus for similar reasons!
(Everyone should also read her Syllabus for similar reasons!
gordonj's review
5.0
Every time I read a Lynda Barry book it makes me want to start drawing. While this book has elements of her previous books (Syllabus and What It Is) it's interesting to see how Barry's thinking and teaching is evolving. This is a must have for anyone who wants to draw or write but doesn't know how (or where) to start. A terrific resource for artists and authors alike.
xangemthelibrarian's review
5.0
If I hadn't taken the graphic novel class I just got out of, I would not have been able to appreciate this graphic novel at all. I love the way this is formatted to look more like a journal with things drawn and/or cut/pasted into it and so many different types of hand-lettering fonts.
To really get the most out of this one, you need to participate in it. It's not meant to be read and set aside; it's meant to be worked through. Do what I didn't do, and follow along with the exercises.
I also think it's great that Lynda Barry doesn't teach "good art" or "bad art," she focuses on creating motion and a childlike sense of bringing your art to life. If you want to create comics, but are afraid that your drawings are no good, this is exactly the graphic novel you need to read. Everybody can make comics. You just need the confidence to do it.
To really get the most out of this one, you need to participate in it. It's not meant to be read and set aside; it's meant to be worked through. Do what I didn't do, and follow along with the exercises.
I also think it's great that Lynda Barry doesn't teach "good art" or "bad art," she focuses on creating motion and a childlike sense of bringing your art to life. If you want to create comics, but are afraid that your drawings are no good, this is exactly the graphic novel you need to read. Everybody can make comics. You just need the confidence to do it.
ktempleton's review
5.0
So many amazing ideas for inspiring creativity and breaking out of rigid thinking