The Complete Guide to Drawing for Beginners

Starred review from May 1, 2020
With a dramatically different approach than many drawing how-to books, Japanese illustrator Ogura thinks of all the questions and issues a novice might face, then addresses them simply and head on. Which side of the paper to use? What are the best ways to prepare and use kneaded erasers? Ogura begins with a rundown of terms and tools, then graduates readers to an in-depth explanation of the five basics: position, lighting, shape, texture, and spacing. Sandwiched in between the ABCs and the subsequent 21 lessons are two-page spreads featuring need-to-know information, ranging from advice on drawing from life, not from photos, to an encouragement to warm up with quick sketching. Lessons are well illustrated with tips and highlights, step-by-step explanations, and the specific basics to apply; after each lesson's category (i.e., simple shapes and people) are a handful are drawings that showcase additional items to ponder and sketch. It's difficult to see how an in-person class could teach much more. Appended with Ogura's inspirational works.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

June 19, 2020

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.--Holly Hebert, Middle Tennessee State Univ., Murfreesboro

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.