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In addition to drawing techniques, Modern Colored Pencil is a guide to selecting supplies - pencils, erasers, sharpeners and paper. The section on mark making includes many examples showing many of the various techniques. I particularly like the suggested exercises on mark making and the color wheel. These are followed by sections on blending and burnishing, layering to build dimension and seeing and using patterns - each with suggested exercises to practice with. These techniques sections are followed by chapters on drawing objects, architecture, landscapes, animals and figures. Each chapter includes many of examples of how the various techniques add life-like qualities to your work. I found the section on drawing glass object in the everyday items section particularly interesting. This is a book that would help a new artist get started in colored pencil work, as well as aid any artist is honing their skills.
(NetGalley ebook - I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
(NetGalley ebook - I received a complimentary advanced reader copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Ward's approach to Modern Drawing was charming and easy to follow. I think beginners could enjoy this without being daunted and intermediate artists would still appreciate her approach to instructing on technique.
informative
fast-paced
'Modern Drawing: A playful and creative exploration of drawing and illustration for mixed media artist and other creative types' by Chelsea Ward was a completely inspiring book about just getting out and drawing.
From a discussion of portable tools to take on trips near and far, to techniques to add color, this book was very approachable. The discussions of different mediums like pencil, ink and watercolor made sense, especially when accompanied by the author's drawings. There are chapters on breaking down drawings for scenery, plants, people, and animals.
The drawings vary from loose to detailed, depending on the amount of time the author can spend on a subject. I like the idea of keeping a sketch diary of trips, and I fell inspired to draw more based on this ebook.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
From a discussion of portable tools to take on trips near and far, to techniques to add color, this book was very approachable. The discussions of different mediums like pencil, ink and watercolor made sense, especially when accompanied by the author's drawings. There are chapters on breaking down drawings for scenery, plants, people, and animals.
The drawings vary from loose to detailed, depending on the amount of time the author can spend on a subject. I like the idea of keeping a sketch diary of trips, and I fell inspired to draw more based on this ebook.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group - Walter Foster, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
My family is artistic. I also consider myself creative, but the drawing gene skipped me. Unlike three of my four siblings who took advanced art classes in high school and beyond, I stopped in junior high, when it ceased being a required class. I enjoyed art, but my high school class requirements filled up quickly, and the art classes I was interested in had prerequisites I didn't have time for. My claim to fame in junior high was my art teacher telling me I was a natural with my charcoal figure studies.
This is all to say that I enjoy art, but I am not a natural at creating it. Enter Modern Drawing. This book engaged me. There are great details, what I imagine my siblings gained from classes in high school and college. Chelsea Ward tries to focus our attention, that when we notice objects, they can all be broken down into basic shapes. How we should notice where the weight is and what areas get the light.
Ward then shares resources and terminology, but she's quick to say she started with a basic pencil and paper; readers are encouraged to use whatever they have and not put off beginning until they have identical materials.
My older daughter is gifted at drawing, and she has amassed a collection of drawing books. However, this book is a step above, a natural stepping stone from those helpful beginning texts. In those copies, there's one way to draw an object. In this text, though, Chelsea Ward is preparing her readers to have an artistic eye to analyze what they see and translate it to paper. She does regular studies to walk us through her steps, but with her text, she lays out WHY she is doing each step so that we can internalize it for ourselves.
This book is visually appealing and I was captivated by it. All of her drawings caught my eye, but my favorites were her studies from travels (a page full of bicycles, or pigeons, or vases). I can see this book appealing to those with bullet journals who aspire to creativity but need some guidance, although . And I suspect it's only a matter of time until I start some pages in my bullet journal to test my newfound confidence (perhaps with the applicable pages of this book open next to me in the beginning).
This is a book I want to add to our home library, although I'm going to have to make sure my daughter understands she doesn't get to claim it for her own -- we're going to share this one!
This is all to say that I enjoy art, but I am not a natural at creating it. Enter Modern Drawing. This book engaged me. There are great details, what I imagine my siblings gained from classes in high school and college. Chelsea Ward tries to focus our attention, that when we notice objects, they can all be broken down into basic shapes. How we should notice where the weight is and what areas get the light.
Ward then shares resources and terminology, but she's quick to say she started with a basic pencil and paper; readers are encouraged to use whatever they have and not put off beginning until they have identical materials.
My older daughter is gifted at drawing, and she has amassed a collection of drawing books. However, this book is a step above, a natural stepping stone from those helpful beginning texts. In those copies, there's one way to draw an object. In this text, though, Chelsea Ward is preparing her readers to have an artistic eye to analyze what they see and translate it to paper. She does regular studies to walk us through her steps, but with her text, she lays out WHY she is doing each step so that we can internalize it for ourselves.
This book is visually appealing and I was captivated by it. All of her drawings caught my eye, but my favorites were her studies from travels (a page full of bicycles, or pigeons, or vases). I can see this book appealing to those with bullet journals who aspire to creativity but need some guidance, although . And I suspect it's only a matter of time until I start some pages in my bullet journal to test my newfound confidence (perhaps with the applicable pages of this book open next to me in the beginning).
This is a book I want to add to our home library, although I'm going to have to make sure my daughter understands she doesn't get to claim it for her own -- we're going to share this one!
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Modern Colored Pencil is a tutorial technique and project guide for colored pencil by Chelsea Ward. Due out 5th Nov 2019 from Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats.
Walter Foster are familiar and loved by readers everywhere for their specialized technique tutorial books and this one follows the same format. The introductory chapter (~27% of the content) includes beginning to intermediate techniques and information about form, composition, making marks (layering, shading, blending, color theory, etc), as well as tools and supplies and how to use them.
The following chapters include training the eye to find patterns, drawing different still life subjects, architecture and landscapes, animals, and life drawing/figure studies. The text is accessible and the vibe is positive and encouraging. I intend to work my way through the studies and projects in the book, but I am pleased with the progress I've already made beginning with this book.
The tools are simple and easy to acquire and the author is a gifted teacher. Well done!
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Modern Colored Pencil is a tutorial technique and project guide for colored pencil by Chelsea Ward. Due out 5th Nov 2019 from Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 128 pages and will be available in ebook and paperback formats.
Walter Foster are familiar and loved by readers everywhere for their specialized technique tutorial books and this one follows the same format. The introductory chapter (~27% of the content) includes beginning to intermediate techniques and information about form, composition, making marks (layering, shading, blending, color theory, etc), as well as tools and supplies and how to use them.
The following chapters include training the eye to find patterns, drawing different still life subjects, architecture and landscapes, animals, and life drawing/figure studies. The text is accessible and the vibe is positive and encouraging. I intend to work my way through the studies and projects in the book, but I am pleased with the progress I've already made beginning with this book.
The tools are simple and easy to acquire and the author is a gifted teacher. Well done!
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
I love drawing it has been one of my favorite pastimes since I was a child. I find it super relaxing and enjoyable. So when I saw this book up for grabs on NetGalley, I just knew I had to request it. The book is divided into the following chapters...
-- INTRODUCTION (Supplies, Drawing Basics. Mark-Making & Line Work, Keeping a Sketchbook, and Drawing on the Go).
-- ADDING COLOR (Color Tools, Color Techniques).
-- STILL LIFE & EVERYDAY (Drawing The Everyday).
-- ARCHITECTURE & SCENERY (The Basics, Drawing Architecture, Drawing Landscapes, Architectural Portrait).
-- PEOPLE & FIGURES (Figure Studies, Sketching & Adding Color).
-- PLANTS AND FOLIAGE (Getting Started, Drawing Flowers, Drawing Succulents, Drawing Potted Plants).
-- ANIMALS (Shapes & Gesture Drawing, Drawing Chickens, Drawing Cats, Drawing Dogs).
The book is chocked full of visually pleasing graphics, and the chapters are well laid out and easy to follow. There are also plenty of hints and tips to keep any artist (beginner or more advanced) interested. My favorite chapter was the one dedicated to ARCHITECTURE & SCENERY since drawing buildings and monuments is one of my favorite things to do. A close second is the PLANTS AND FOLIAGE chapter. Who doesn't like drawing beautiful flowers and plants? So really I don't have too much more to say about this one. If you love to draw then, this is a fun little book that you should take a peek at. If you know someone that loves to draw, then this would make a great present.
I enjoyed this useful and comprehensive overview of drawing which leads the beginning artist through step-by-step instructions on how to draw everything from plants and animals to architecture and scenery.
I received a copy of Modern Drawing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Modern Drawing is a great art book for both beginners and novices hoping to get some great and helpful advice on drawing. In many ways it was very similar to the drawing class I had in college, covering many of the basics and other essentials most intro classes would cover. Though I do feel compelled to point out that the author has quite a bit more humor than any of my instructors ever did (which is saying something).
Chelsea Ward covers a lot of ground on quite a variety of subjects, it’s actually quite impressive. Her introduction includes suggested supplies, the bare bones basics of drawing, how to maintain a sketchbook, and even tips on how to complete a drawing challenge (which are quite fun, for the record). She also covers the basics of color theory, drawing architecture and landscapes, people, plants, and animals. There are only a couple pages per specific subject type, but it’s enough to give one a great head start and isn’t overwhelming in the slightest (something that I find can happen with more technical guides).
Some parts of the lessons here stood out to me more than others; I was impressed by the inclusion of tips for completing a drawing challenge. That’s something I’ve never seen in a drawing guide before, and I found the idea oddly sweet. I also adored the succulent drawing section, and they’re a passion of mine. And finally I couldn’t help but notice that the section on architecture was the same size as the section on chickens. Please tell me I’m not the only one that found this adorably hilarious?
This was a great guide on the whole. Perfect for beginners or anybody hoping to get a refresher on all of the basics. The fun and light tone of the tutorials helps keep it engaging, which is greatly appreciated. I hope Chelsea Ward comes out with more guides, especially more advanced drawing ones. I would love to see that.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Modern Drawing is a great art book for both beginners and novices hoping to get some great and helpful advice on drawing. In many ways it was very similar to the drawing class I had in college, covering many of the basics and other essentials most intro classes would cover. Though I do feel compelled to point out that the author has quite a bit more humor than any of my instructors ever did (which is saying something).
Chelsea Ward covers a lot of ground on quite a variety of subjects, it’s actually quite impressive. Her introduction includes suggested supplies, the bare bones basics of drawing, how to maintain a sketchbook, and even tips on how to complete a drawing challenge (which are quite fun, for the record). She also covers the basics of color theory, drawing architecture and landscapes, people, plants, and animals. There are only a couple pages per specific subject type, but it’s enough to give one a great head start and isn’t overwhelming in the slightest (something that I find can happen with more technical guides).
Some parts of the lessons here stood out to me more than others; I was impressed by the inclusion of tips for completing a drawing challenge. That’s something I’ve never seen in a drawing guide before, and I found the idea oddly sweet. I also adored the succulent drawing section, and they’re a passion of mine. And finally I couldn’t help but notice that the section on architecture was the same size as the section on chickens. Please tell me I’m not the only one that found this adorably hilarious?
This was a great guide on the whole. Perfect for beginners or anybody hoping to get a refresher on all of the basics. The fun and light tone of the tutorials helps keep it engaging, which is greatly appreciated. I hope Chelsea Ward comes out with more guides, especially more advanced drawing ones. I would love to see that.
For more reviews, check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
I really enjoyed this book. It gives good advice for people who want to start trying coloring and give more deepth and brightness to what they create. I already knew some of the theory because my mother is an arts teacher, but I enjoyed having it explained step by step with clear images of the elements to use, in which way to use them and how to be able to making the most of them.