Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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99 of 100 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun, friendly and down to earth - what else do you need?, 28 May 2006
As a writer I've got lots of "how to write" books. Stephen King's "On Writing" is the best of those, giving an honest and personal insight into what works for him. I find Danny Gregory's book similar in it's approch, even if it has suggestion of tasks and is more of a How-to book than King's. It is informed with the same love, or need of the craft, and humane attitude. His instructions are easy to understand, and his attitude is never less than encouraging. Learning is a prosess he's got a very thourough understanding of.
If the proof of the reading is in the doing: Since I started reading it, I've begun re-writing a manuscript I've put off for ages, started a blog, started keeping a drawing journal and lost all shame of the whimsical photos I take. And I've only got as far as chapter 5 yet!
In short: an inspirational, friendly, fun and relaxed book. If you don't get a creative shot in the arm from it, enjoying Danny Gregory's own drawings is well worth the price!
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114 of 116 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic in the making - and deservedly so., 6 May 2007
What makes this book so extraordinary? It addresses the three greatest obstacles facing any aspiring artist: 1) "I can't draw/paint/sculpt etc.", 2) "What do I draw/paint/sculpt?" and 3) "Why do I want/need to draw/paint/sculpt?". This book tackles all these issues with great intelligence and simplicity. (In fact, by answering 1 and 2, you'll find 3 takes care of itself).
As a beginner I always felt that artists were born, not made. That you were either born creative and artistically gifted, or not. The author quickly proves this is not the case and - incredibly - gets you to prove it to yourself through a series of simple exercises from the very beginning.
I admire the fact that here is an author that has not lost sight of the true value of art - to express deep emotion and meaning - in short, the artist's "truth". It's not a "how-to" book (although there is a chapter that will improve anyone's drawing ability within minutes) but a guide to helping the "ordinary" man/woman in the street express themselves authentically, individually, artistically and to begin making sense of their own world and their own lives. That's an amazing achievement.
The result for me is that I now draw constantly - rarely does an hour pass without me sketching something. I cook more adventurous meals; I'm learning about graphic design; I write stories and articles; I listen to more diverse music (and find myself liking stuff I never thought I would); I've turned my hand at typography, photography - even new languages. In short, I've awoken to the world I live in and have connected to a more authentic me. Life has become far more rewarding and interesting.
One word of advice however. The book does not hold concrete answers. The author correctly states that he cannot take the path for you but he can guide you along the way. But, therein lies the true value of the endeavour - and the fun: to uncover something about yourself (that maybe you never knew) and to express it sincerely. And you know what? It's hugely rewarding and really not very difficult.
Whilst the book uses "drawing" for its examples, it is certainly applicable to any artistic endeavour.
Being creative needn't mean taking the cliche dark path of the tortured artist. Indeed, this book shows it's in the reach of all of us, immediately, and far from bringing torment and anxiety, it's a well of joy and satisfaction.
Anyone who is genuine about wanting to be more creative needs to read this.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally enjoying drawing again after 20 year block, 2 Nov 2008
I am so grateful for this book. I did a textile degree many years ago, and somehow, during it, the love I had for drawing was squeezed out of me by tutors pulling me this way and that. I have missed drawing more and more, yet every time I have tried to begin again, those whining tutor voices invaded my head, I would get upset and give up.
Danny Gregory is the friendly, gentle, encouraging voice I have needed to replace those negative voices. Since taking the plunge to buy the book (spurred on by another reviewer who said he was finally drawing again every day) I have drawn every day for 2 weeks.....and I am enjoying it.All the angst and frustration that blocked me before has gone, and I am back in touch with the peace and enjoyment it used to give me when I was younger.
This is a delightfully friendly book, packed with drawings (which I wasn't expecting)and is not trying to make you a brilliant artist, just someone who is creatively engaged for your own pleasure. He focusses alot on journalling, rather than making works of art to share and impress, and that suits me right now, it takes the pressure off while you find your feet.
If you want the techniques of drawing, you need another book; some of the exercises he uses are basically from Betty Edwards - drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, and if you are already well motivated, then you may need a book like that. He admits himself that the book will not take you through all the skills needed for drawing, and makes really good recommendations for other books. This book is more about the joy of it, about getting you to see the place drawing can have in your life, how it helps you to engage at another level with your life and the people and things around you.
If you want to draw and don't think you can, or can and don't, or have some block, like I did, then this is definitely the book for you.
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