A generously illustrated collection of essays on drawing as a vital intellectual, artistic, and life practice—by the artists of the Royal Drawing School. Drawing is among the most direct ways of engaging with the world; a way not just of seeing, but of understanding what you see. At once inspirational and instructive, Ways of Drawing collects a rich variety of reflections on the craft from practicing artists, teachers, and writers. The book is divided into three sections: Studio Space, which focuses on drawing within four walls; Open Space, which ventures out into the cityscapes and landscapes around us; and Inner Space, which returns to the living, feeling, drawing person. Each section is comprehensively illustrated with a wealth of drawings, prints, and paintings by faculty and alumni of the Royal Drawing School in London, works by established artists past and present, and photographs of artists at work. Short “In Practice” pieces, ranging from a recipe for making oak-gall ink to ideas for drawing from poetry, complement explorations of what it means to draw and personal accounts of artistic development. Passionately advocating for drawing as deeply personal and utterly essential, Ways of Drawing is an inspiring, intelligent companion for artists and aspiring artists who are seeking new ways of thinking about their practice.

Master and combine different media in your drawing—from soft pencils to graphite powder, ballpoint to fiber-tip pens, conté sticks to watercolor pencils. This visual directory of drawing techniques beyond the pencil provides you with the skills to explore and experiment with all the different techniques and mediums. Use it as a handy reference for when you want to know how to use a particular tool, or as a catalogue of inspiration when seeking new ideas to try. A wealth of media and equipment is demonstrated, and each page features invaluable information for beginners and accomplished artists alike. As the techniques progress, you’ll explore the creative possibilities beyond one medium, and be encouraged to look at your work and style in a new light. Start with basic graphite pencils, sticks and powder to explore line and tone, shading, creating textures and erasing. Then move on to coloured pencils to cover techniques such as burnishing, lifting and sgraffito. There are various interesting methods to try with water-soluble coloured pencils too, including different ways of applying water, blending and overlaying colours. There are some really interesting ways to use ink pens for painting effects and instructions are included for cutting your own quill pen. Ballpoint pens, fiber-tips, marker pens and brush pens are also great tools for creating modern, graphic drawings—pick up some handy tips for mark making and blending. Finally, experiment with mixed media and combining various pencils, pastels, crayons, powder, sticks and pens for some stunning results. Be inspired by the huge range of drawings in this book to expand and develop your own skills.

The works in The Drawing Book, by artists, architects, sculptors, scientists, filmmakers and thinkers of all descriptions, attest to the versatility and immediacy of drawing. From first thoughts to finely wrought, elaborate artworks, from the lightest sketch in pencil to bold, gallery-wall installations, the medium is shown as an essential vehicle for creativity. The recent prominence of artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Eva Hesse, Chris Ofili, Rachel Whiteread, Ellen Gallagher, and a host of others who use drawing as a final means of expression, is addressed in both the works shown and essays by curators Kate Macfarlane and Katharine Stout, and art historian Charles Darwent. The Drawing Book takes us on a journey through five themes -- measurement, nature, the city, dreams, and the body. Each is richly illustrated with a diverse range of images, from the old masters -- Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Dürer -- through great Modernist pieces by Rodin, Picasso, Matisse, and on to the contemporary artists who are reviving drawing today. A new and unique approach to an age old medium.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Drawing and drawings.

Drawing is experiencing an unparalleled surge in the art world. Passé notions that once defined drawing as being a preparatory stage for painting or sculpture have long since been cast aside. Drawing is now fully recognized as its own art form—in the biennials, art fairs, museum exhibitions, and beyond. Drawing has come of age. Contemporary artists are increasingly discovering that drawing is something unique and different from painting. It is an intense, sensitive, compelling, personal, and utterly direct art form, one with its own concepts, characteristics, and techniques. In addition, contemporary drawing is not governed by any particular imagery, but rather encompasses a variety of approaches, including realist, abstract, modernist, and post-modernist. Contemporary Drawing delves into the essential and far-reaching concepts of this medium, exploring surface, mark, space, composition, scale, materials, and intentionality in turn. Key techniques, such as using nature to induce marks and working with a checklist to determine a drawing’s problems, are introduced throughout. Plus, an in-depth chapter examines a number of artists, such as William Kentridge and Gego, who are breaking traditional boundaries that separate one artistic discipline from another. Lushly illustrated by a wide range of highly accomplished contemporary artists, Contemporary Drawing offers a broad perspective on this expansive and energized field of art.

Many of us want to learn “how to draw.” But as artist Anthony Ryder explains, it’s much more important to learn what to draw. In other words, to observe and draw what we actually see, rather than what we think we see. When it comes to drawing the human figure, this means letting go of learned ideas and expectation of what the figure should look like. It means carefully observing the interplay of form and light, shape and line, that combine to create the actual appearance of human form. In The Artist’s Complete Guide to Figure Drawing, amateur and experienced artists alike are guided toward this new way of seeing and drawing the figure with a three-step drawing method. The book’s progressive course starts with the block-in, an exercise in seeing and establishing the figure’s shape. It then build to the contour, a refined line drawing that represents the figure’s silhouette. The last step is tonal work on the inside of the contour, when light and shadow are shaped to create the illusion of form. Separate chapters explore topics critical to the method: gesture, which expresses a sense of living energy to the figure; light, which largely determines how we see the model; and form, which conveys the figure’s volume and mass. Examples, step-by-steps, and special “tips” offer helpful hints and practical guidance throughout. Lavishly illustrated with the author’s stunning artwork, The Artist’s Complete Guide to Figure Drawing combines solid instruction with thoughtful meditations on the art of drawing, to both instruct and inspire artists of all levels.

The definitive guide to encouraging drawing and creativity, for parents and teachers alike Mona Brookes's clear and practical approach to drawing has yielded astounding results with children of all ages and beginning adults. Her unique drawing program has created a revolution in the field of education and a sense of delight and pride among the thousands of students who have learned to draw through her "Monart Method." This revised and expanded edition includes: • Information on multiple intelligence and the seven ways to learn • An inspirational chapter on helping children with learning differences • An integrated-studies chapter with projects geared for reading, math, science, ESL, multicultural studies, and environmental awareness • A sixteen-page color insert and hundreds of sample illustrations This invaluable teaching tool not only guides readers through the basics, but also gives important advice on creating a nurturing environment in which self-expression and creativity can flourish. Both practical and enlightening, Drawing With Children inspires educators and parents to bring out the artist in each of us.

How to Rule at Drawing features 50 bite-size tips and tricks to help you improve your art skills. This easy-to-follow, irresistibly illustrated book will get you in the habit of capturing not just what you see, but also what you feel. Whether you're a beginner just learning the basics or an expert looking to hone your skills, this handbook is the perfect easy-breezy volume for anyone who wants to up their art-making game. The simple and actionable takeaways will help readers take their sketching skills to new heights. • Filled with irresistible illustrations from artist Rachel Harrell • Accessible to beginners but still useful for the advanced artist • Easy-to-follow instructional content In How to Rule at Drawing, budding artists will discover new ways to warm up, master new tools and techniques, and make good art. Part of the How to Rule series, a collection of how-to books you can take anywhere to improve your creative skills. • A perfect book for aspiring and hobbyist artists, art students, burgeoning creatives, sketchers, doodlers, and mark-makers of all sorts • Makes drawing easy, approachable, and super fun • Great for readers and artists who enjoyed How to Draw What You See by Ruby De Reyna, Drawing for the Absolute Beginner: A Clear & Easy Guide to Successful Drawing by Mark Willenbrink, and Draw the Draw 50 Way by Lee J. Ames

An easy-to-follow, step-by-step drawing book that helps children master the simple drawing skills required to render a range of animals, people and objects. It comes with plenty of space for doing their own drawings.