Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner Paperback – October 1, 2003

For any beginner who wants to learn to draw (or take up any form of art), this book is a must! Unquestionably full "five star".I am a 70+ yr old newly retired lawyer, who wants to use a new part of his brain. I've never attempted any form of art (unless you want to count mechanical drawing in my 7th grade "shop" class - a dubious precedent). Claire's book is a masterpiece for someone like me.This slim volume (160 pages) is very well-organized and lucidly written, and filled with extremely helpful explanations, tips, exercises and sample drawings. Moreover - and this is important for an "art beginner" -- the materials are presented with an understanding and sense of humor about the frustrations to be encountered as the "new world" unfolds.As they say, "try it, you'll like it", especially at the offered price (which I think is a ridiculous bargain for the value delivered). But, watch out - your "interest" may become your "passion". Mine did.Well,

I bought a few different books on learning to draw before finding this one. I wish i would have found this one first! This book is so user friendly and encouraging for the person just starting out. The drawings in it are really great examples of other beginners work, and the book doesn't over analyze everything so much, like some of the other drawing books do. It simplifies the learning process, but still explains everything very well. I really like the layout of the book and all the examples and drawings are very encouraging. If you like books that are not complicated, (like myself) and give good basic instruction than this is the one to get! She keeps it simple, so that you dont feel overwhelmed. You just wanna jump in and get started with this book! The other books i have are also good, but this is the one that really motivated me the most, and keeps me drawing every day. she is an excellent art teacher. I cant wait to get her painting book too!

I've never been able to draw. I've always wanted to draw, but just couldn't do it. So this year I decided I wanted to give it a good shot and learn how to draw. I looked around and this seemed to be reviewed pretty high, so bought the book. I'm so glad that I did. Just over a month later and I'm drawing just about every day. Each evening I draw. It has become a way to wind down after a stressful day. Instead of daunting tasks of drawing complicated scenes, the book eases you into it. You start out with simple but useful exercises. This is truly for the absolute and utter beginner. If you really want to learn how to draw, this is the book.

I am a novice at drawing. I took a community college drawing class last Winter that whet my appetite for drawing. I checked out all the drawing books at the library and found this jewel. It was exactly what I was looking for. It takes you through the process step by step and explains in detail the techniques you need to learn. The book allows you to go at your own pace! I gain confidence in comparing my work to the students' examples included in the book. I almost feel I am in a class with others as I go through the lessons. I extended my library check out of this book so many times, I figured I might as well buy it. I found this on Amazon and bought it. Amazon is a great place to buy things. Go Amazon!

I can't say I was blown away with this book, nor can I say I was disappointed, this the rating of 3 stars. It has great text to tell you "why" each part is important which a lot of books seem to lack any decent text at all. So for that I give it 5 stars.I was "expecting" at least some technique tips and pointers, like, here's a good way to draw texture on a leaf, or more concrete examples, like maybe some "tips" in the margins or something. A little cheat to keep you saying "oh cool" or something. At some point it seems to drown in text, which I suppose is probably what a beginner needs, but I'm more of a lets get to it kind of person. I want to see at least something fun at the end of my first lesson, not a squiggly line, so I would suggest complementing this book with a tips and technique book to get a well rounded beginners experience to keep it fun and keep you motivated.Obviously my expectations were not met, and that may be my own fault. I would say if you are a beginner, this will give you the start and the "classroom" portion, but add a book that will add the FUN and instant success to it too. It's a decent book, give it a shot.

I knew how to draw, I had experience doing it, but what I lacked was confidence. This is the best book I have experienced in building skills a little at a time, which automatically builds confidence in drawing skills. At the same time, she observes how very different each person's "line" is, and, hence, their uniqueness in drawing. There are drawings in the book by her students at the same level as the lesson in the book. When I did my drawings, and compared them to the other students', I did not feel so badly about my work! She did not introduce advanced drawings to daunt us on the path to learning our skills, bit by bit.This is a wonderful book, easy to read and easy to follow. It does not tell you to "go to the Zoo and draw animals" by the third lesson! Who feels like they can do that as a beginner?Now I KNOW I can draw and I am doing it.

I bought this book after I started painting with acrylics and my art could be compared with kid's finger painting and stick figures. After using some of the exercises in this book and applying it to my painting I'm actually able to paint recognizable objects that don't look like something hanging in a modern art gallery. People have gone from saying "Oh, that's interesting" when seeing something I painted to "Wow, that's actually pretty good" and asking me if I actually painted it. This has definitely improved my skills within my new hobby. I recommend it to anyone beginning to get into art who doesn't know where to start.