HOW-TO

The Complete Guide to Drawing for Beginners: 21 Step-by-Step Lessons

by Yoshiko Ogura
Tuttle. Apr. 2020. 128p. ISBN 9784805315767. pap. $16.99. CRAFTS
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Ogura, who founded Grace Academy of Art in Tokyo, manages to find the right balance of text and visual aids in this guide to drawing that encourages readers to embrace every step of the process, including the struggle. Divided into two parts, the work starts with the basics of defining terms, introducing tools and techniques, and noting practice steps in each section. In Part 2, lessons begin with drawings grouped into categories, such as simple shapes, hard and soft surfaces, and transparent objects. Each lesson uses step-by-step pictures to show the item (e.g., apple, blanket, water droplets, sunflower, tree, cat) in various forms of completion and describes techniques to use for each illustration. At the end, Ogura details how to combine objects for more complete works.
VERDICT Highly recommended for aspiring artists of all types, especially those looking for encouragement to give drawing a go.
Reviewed by Holly Hebert, Middle Tennessee State Univ., Murfreesboro , Jun 19, 2020
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