A complete drawing system that can be used for any subject or type of drawing, by people at any level of ability. It is based on 55 "keys" which are introduced stage by stage. Practice exercises help the reader to learn and apply the theory.
Keys to Drawing
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\This long-popular guide uses simple black-and-white pencil drawing illustrations to help beginners to develop their skills and dexterity through a series of short exercises.\" --"Library Journal"" --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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First Sentence
The art of drawing is an act of uncanny coordination between the hand, the eye, and the mind. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The art of drawing is an act of uncanny coordination between the hand, the eye, and the mind. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
94 of 94 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"Keys to Drawing" by Bert Dodson is one of the first drawing books that I bought after I got back to doing art after a break of over 15 years. It opened my eyes, stimulated my enthusiasm for drawing again and provided me with some really excellent guidelines about what to think about when drawing.
My edition is a North Light Books paperback published in 1990. Amazon indicates the current edition was updated in 2001 and, although I've not seen that I think it unlikely that it departs much from the sound advice provided in earlier editions.
I see the synopsis on Amazon says that it "Describes the drawing process, discusses proportions, light, depth, texture, pattern, design, and imagination, and tells how to evaluate one's work." And it does do all of those things - but it also does a lot more. He has 55 keys to drawing which are introduced as he goes through each of the topics in turn - and he provides lots of practical exercises to see how they can be applied.
It needs to be pointed out that this book is NOT a manual for how to draw in a hyper/photo realism manner - there are other books that do that.
What I like most about this book is it starts by encouraging people who want to develop their drawing to develop their own 'handwriting' for their drawing. Dodson explains:
* how we draw is as individual to us all as how we write.
* all artists combine freedom (intuitive, looser, sketchy drawing) and control (analytical, precise, careful drawing) in their work - they just do it differently
I just loved the idea that this author wanted me to be me - and not like him or somebody else.... Read more ›
My edition is a North Light Books paperback published in 1990. Amazon indicates the current edition was updated in 2001 and, although I've not seen that I think it unlikely that it departs much from the sound advice provided in earlier editions.
I see the synopsis on Amazon says that it "Describes the drawing process, discusses proportions, light, depth, texture, pattern, design, and imagination, and tells how to evaluate one's work." And it does do all of those things - but it also does a lot more. He has 55 keys to drawing which are introduced as he goes through each of the topics in turn - and he provides lots of practical exercises to see how they can be applied.
It needs to be pointed out that this book is NOT a manual for how to draw in a hyper/photo realism manner - there are other books that do that.
What I like most about this book is it starts by encouraging people who want to develop their drawing to develop their own 'handwriting' for their drawing. Dodson explains:
* how we draw is as individual to us all as how we write.
* all artists combine freedom (intuitive, looser, sketchy drawing) and control (analytical, precise, careful drawing) in their work - they just do it differently
I just loved the idea that this author wanted me to be me - and not like him or somebody else.... Read more ›
53 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
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Length:
0:28
Mins
Here's a pretty good book for anyone who's thinking of picking up drawing. Bert Dodson has written it in a crisp straightforward manner. The are 55 keys of drawing, introduced at a very comfortable pace. Alongside are 48 easy-to-follow lessons.
The examples are all sketches from Bert Dodson, his students and selected pieces old art masters. They are all pretty sketchy but this book isn't about techniques on realistic drawings. It's also not about specific technical rendering techniques, although some are briefly introduced.
This book is really about the approach to drawing, which aims at helping students tackle any subjects confidently.
The principles are very similar to The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: A Course in Enhancing Creativity and Artistic Confidence. I prefer this book as the lessons are shorter but effective, and the book can be picked up at anytime after reading for some inspiration.
This book is recommended to beginner artists.
(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
The examples are all sketches from Bert Dodson, his students and selected pieces old art masters. They are all pretty sketchy but this book isn't about techniques on realistic drawings. It's also not about specific technical rendering techniques, although some are briefly introduced.
This book is really about the approach to drawing, which aims at helping students tackle any subjects confidently.
The principles are very similar to The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: A Course in Enhancing Creativity and Artistic Confidence. I prefer this book as the lessons are shorter but effective, and the book can be picked up at anytime after reading for some inspiration.
This book is recommended to beginner artists.
(There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By zrtf90
Format:Paperback
Even after reading the wonderful reviews of this book I was not expecting as much as it actually delivered. This book has been rated alongside the Betty Edwards book as a book for the beginner or the unpractised returner. Now I know why.
It introduces points or keys that help the drawing process, offers projects to give practical experience of using them, summarises them at the end of each chapter and gives a checklist to review what you've done.
It covers all the basics such as techniques, choice of media, proportion, perspective, light and shade, texture, etc.
It introduces the styles of some very diverse practitioners such as Rembrandt, Matisse and Degas, and leaves you to experience their styles and develop your own without trying to influence you.
The drawings in the book are designed neither to impress nor to inspire but to illustrate and they do that. This is a very practical book that's easy to work through - it's not meant as a coffee table book to thumb through at leisure.
It's also strong enough that you can both read through and work through the book several times with accruing advantage.
Anyone who has been through the Betty Edwards book, or who hasn't got on with it, but is not ready for Kimon Nicolaides' The Natural Way to Draw (a tough years work plan for the serious art student) can profitably and happily turn to this book.
It introduces points or keys that help the drawing process, offers projects to give practical experience of using them, summarises them at the end of each chapter and gives a checklist to review what you've done.
It covers all the basics such as techniques, choice of media, proportion, perspective, light and shade, texture, etc.
It introduces the styles of some very diverse practitioners such as Rembrandt, Matisse and Degas, and leaves you to experience their styles and develop your own without trying to influence you.
The drawings in the book are designed neither to impress nor to inspire but to illustrate and they do that. This is a very practical book that's easy to work through - it's not meant as a coffee table book to thumb through at leisure.
It's also strong enough that you can both read through and work through the book several times with accruing advantage.
Anyone who has been through the Betty Edwards book, or who hasn't got on with it, but is not ready for Kimon Nicolaides' The Natural Way to Draw (a tough years work plan for the serious art student) can profitably and happily turn to this book.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Now i'll just let you know, i'm quite the avid researcher when i plan on buying a specific product. I'm quite picky, and want to know exactly what the item is about and what other people think of it. Hopefully i'll big this book up enough for you to quit umm-ing and arrr-ing over it in the midst of other how-to-draw/get-your-art-mojo-back books.
This book coherently, and simply as possible, explains important steps to help you develop an understanding of what i call, 'routine drawing'.. the factors you should be thinking about when you're wanting to start a new art piece, or even just wanting to experiment. After the summaries of each step, that come with helpful example images, there's a mini-lesson that will help you understand the step even more, so long as you try it. When i wasn't happy with my attempt, i would re-do it on a fresh page until the technique became second nature. Topics included are: the drawing process; artist's handwriting; proportions; light; depth; texture; pattern; imagination.
Your knowledge of art or level of skill isn't being tested here at all. In fact, i studied art at school and college, and i'm pretty confident in saying i learnt more than both systems put together.. True story. Maybe it's because i was too busy being pretentious in my art studies and faking it, whilst this book really stripped me bare of that facade.
That's what i love about the book. Most of the drawings aren't hyper-realistic; that's not what this book is about. Most of the drawings are messy scribbles that promote thinking of logical form and structure BEFORE all the fancy styling you think will make the drawing unique.
If you want a extremely detailed step by step, hold yer hand sort of art book, this isn't it.... Read more ›
This book coherently, and simply as possible, explains important steps to help you develop an understanding of what i call, 'routine drawing'.. the factors you should be thinking about when you're wanting to start a new art piece, or even just wanting to experiment. After the summaries of each step, that come with helpful example images, there's a mini-lesson that will help you understand the step even more, so long as you try it. When i wasn't happy with my attempt, i would re-do it on a fresh page until the technique became second nature. Topics included are: the drawing process; artist's handwriting; proportions; light; depth; texture; pattern; imagination.
Your knowledge of art or level of skill isn't being tested here at all. In fact, i studied art at school and college, and i'm pretty confident in saying i learnt more than both systems put together.. True story. Maybe it's because i was too busy being pretentious in my art studies and faking it, whilst this book really stripped me bare of that facade.
That's what i love about the book. Most of the drawings aren't hyper-realistic; that's not what this book is about. Most of the drawings are messy scribbles that promote thinking of logical form and structure BEFORE all the fancy styling you think will make the drawing unique.
If you want a extremely detailed step by step, hold yer hand sort of art book, this isn't it.... Read more ›
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very nice book
I started to learn to draw last year and got this book to help. It is a very helpful book with lots of information and projects to try.
Published 3 months ago by jbird
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
This is a great, easy to follow book. And would highly recommend it for all levels. It is a great book for beginners.
Published 3 months ago by J. P.
4.0 out of 5 stars
christmas present
would recomment this book . very informative on tips for drawing and helping to guide people through exams in art
Published 4 months ago by Susan Doughty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
I bought this book along with a few others on learning to draw, and this is my favourite. It's very clearly written with lots of examples and useful tips.
Published 6 months ago by SarahJane
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice, original and like it's written by a person, not a machine!
I've been drawing for years as a hobby and have got quite good at copying pictures but wanted to finally learn some tips and tricks to start drawing from my imagination. Read more
Published 6 months ago by MinkyPink
5.0 out of 5 stars
A briliant book
This book is brilliant. I've read a lot of books on drawing but this one really inspires me. It explains why drawing is such a key instrument for artists in that it develops your... Read more
Published 7 months ago by zoek5m
5.0 out of 5 stars
My new favourite drawing book...
Clearly written, no waffle, assumes no experience yet credits the reader with intelligence, inspiring, packed with suggestions for exercises - this book is a gem.
Published 11 months ago by magpie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This book is great fun to learn from. It is structured in a way that it can be used as a main curriculum with projects dotted throughout the book and questions at the end of each... Read more
Published 17 months ago by hughpearse
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!!!
Book essential for drawing as a main basis and tool for progressing in any pictorial technique. The exercises help to fix the concepts.
Published 20 months ago by limpzx
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dodson
This book was just what I asked for. I very good condition, clean and looks brand new. I have put it to good use and it was delivered to me quickly.
Published on 19 Nov 2010 by pearlywhite
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