Drawing For Dummies [Paperback]

On a simple piece of paper, a fierce bird of prey can swoop down upon its terrified victim, an adoring father can share laughter with the infant daughter cradled in his arms, raindrops can glisten on the hood of a vintage sports car, a lightening bolt can cut across the night, offering a glimpse of trees ominously silhouetted against the blackness. Drawing can enrich your life in extraordinary and unexpected ways. Drawing your everyday experiences can change how you and others see the world, while drawing from imagination can give rise to fantastic new worlds. And, despite what you may believe, it’s something just about anyone can learn to do.

Drawing For Dummies offers you a fun, easy way to learn drawing basics. Its author, professional illustrator and long–time art educator Brenda Hoddinott, has a simple philosophy—that only you can teach you to draw. With that in mind, she arms you with the tools you need to explore the basics and then coaches you through 30 hands–on drawing projects. You′ll quickly

• Conquer the basics of line and shading
• Develop an eye for basic shapes and contours
• Discover how to create the illusion of three dimensions
• Render still–life subjects and landscapes
• Bring animals and people to vivid life on the page

Brenda helps you tune into your right brain and see the world as an artist does. You’ll discover how to break things down into basic lines and shapes and then reassemble them on the page. Other topics covered include:

• Understanding and exercising the basic skills of drawing lines and shapes, adding life and depth with shading, and rendering textures
• Mastering the fundamentals of composition and planning drawings
• Creating lifelike doodles and cartoon characters
• Drawing the natural environment including both plants and animals
• Keeping a sketchbook and drawing from memory
• Drawing people, starting with babies and exploring the human face from childhood to old age

It’s never too late to unleash the artist within. Let Drawing For Dummies put you on the road of discovery and self–expression through drawing.

Hone your drawing skills with 30 hands–on projects

Discover how to draw still–lifes, landscapes, animals, people, and more!

Worried that you don’t have enough talent to be an artist? Relax! All it takes is some practice – and the tips and techniques you’ll find in this friendly guide. Beginning with the very basics – lines, shape, shading, textures, perspective – artist Brenda Hoddinott shows you how to draw just about anything, from flower petals to a child’s eye.

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear–out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Brenda Hoddinott is a portraitist, graphic designer, and professional illustrator. She has taught both adult education and pre–school art classes and runs an art education Web site.