Drawing in 10 Steps: All the Techniques You Need in Just One Drawing

With a little practice and no experience at all, anyone can learn how to draw using this "mini art class," illustrated with over 300 color photographs. Begin by playing and experimenting with materials, from pastels and tinted papers to ink pens and blending stumps. Then in ten simple steps-each one a stage of a single still-life drawing of fruits and vegetables-learn the basics of scale, shape, perspective, tone, color, texture, and composition, and later, advanced techniques: frottage, masking, sgraffito, and creative erasing. It all comes together in one beautifully composed work of art. Budding artists can then move on to two additional paintings.

Library Journal

This is a fine addition to the field, a master class by a writer with more than 25 art instruction books to his credit. Illustrated with 300-plus color photographs, the volume begins with playful experiments with materials, from pastels and tinted papers to ink pens and blending stumps. Next, in ten simple steps, each on a stage in the creation of a single still life of fruits and vegetables, Sidaway teaches readers the basics of scale, shape, perspective, tone, color, texture, and composition. Advanced techniques include frottage, masking, and creative erasing. Ten lessons lead to two advanced projects-one on sunflowers, the other a country landscape. Highly recommended for serious students. Libraries may also want Claire Watson Garcia's Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.