Having not drawn much since University, it got me wondering how easy it would be to pick up the craft once more. I have a basic level of understanding when it comes to sketching etc but I really wanted to learn a little more.
There are hundreds of drawing books on the market so I decided to choose a comprehensive guide, which encompasses many skills and techniques. The Drawing Bible by Marylin Scott (Search Press, 2005) promises to be ‘An essential reference for the practicing artist.’ Notice the word ‘practicing’ there. I must admit I was initially worried about being very much a beginner but decided to give the book a whirl.
Much to my surprise the contents were easily accessible with a clear contents area broken down into informative headings such as ‘Choosing and using materials’ and ‘Subjects’. The materials pages for example, were packed full of photos and an extensive range of products you can use to draw, such as pencils (of course!), waterproof inks and even how to make your own oil charcoal. I did feel spoilt for choice at this stage!
One of the most useful aspects of the book was the sections that showed techniques for each type of drawing material. I enjoyed practicing the skills taught such as cross hatching for pencils and blending with pastels. These techniques are so important to master as they are the basis of all drawing and the book covered these skills thoroughly.
Once I found my grounding in the techniques I moved on to the ‘Further Techniques’ section. This was exciting for me as it meant I could begin tackling a ‘real’ drawing and not just little hatches and scribbles on a scrap of paper! There are various sections such as ‘Line and Wash’, ‘Sgraffito’ and ‘Masking’ all of which were well explained and beautifully illustrated with clear photographs. This area of the book is perfect for even the most developed artist – there really is something for everyone!
The final section of the book is ‘Subjects’ and believe me, there is a wide range of subjects to master. My favourite study area is animals so I decided to develop my knowledge in this field. I used some of the skills I’d learned in the previous sections in the book to draw a frog. Despite not having drawn for many years I was really surprised at how easy I found it. Using 2B and 4H pencils I used a ‘Stippling’ technique to create areas of shade and texture on the bumpy skin of my frog. I also used a ‘Masking’ technique on his eye area to create highlights.
Overall I loved this handy book. The contents were clearly displayed and the sections colour referenced for ease of use. It’s a fantastic book for dipping in and out of or as a handbook for taking out and about. With the wide range of easy to follow techniques and varied subject matters, it really is an essential book for both amateur and professional.
The Drawing Bible, by Marylin Scott (ISBN: 978-1-84448-094-4) is available from all good retailers RRP: £12.99
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