I have been learning to draw for the past few months, and while the #1 most useful way to improve is… to actually draw, I’ve also been working through some textbooks. Here are some initial thoughts:
Drawing on the right side of the brain
I liked this book a lot, and it really focuses on how to “think”, and how to get into the right mindset to let your creative brain take over while your analytical instincts relax. There’s a good amount of theory and practical skills mixed in.
BUT there’s a mismatch between the latest text and the latest workbook, which can be annoying at times. It also asks for a lot of materials, like specific art supplies or flowers.
Did it help?
Yes, but it took me a long time to get through, since I found myself needing to acquire a particular item (mirror, flower, chair) several times throughout.
Start Here: Draw
This was more of a kickstarter of ideas for already creative and creatively skilled people. The book trampolines into much more complicated explorations of theory in the back half. It wasn’t a great match for where I’m at now, but I do like the exercises contained within, and might revisit it once I have a better grasp of fundamentals.
Did it help?
No, but I had fun doing some of the exercises, like making animal shapes exclusively out of straight lines.
Learn to draw in 30 days
I love this book. It’s very focused, with practical lessons, using no special materials. It has an emphasis on learning the basic techniques, combining them, and experimenting to see what works. It’s very similar to “How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way” in that respect, except with a much bigger emphasis on exercises over theory.
Did it help?
Yes! I worked through this book for all 30 days, and can consistently draw several of the things we learned. It also served as an excuse to draw hundreds of foreshortened squares, cubes, and spheres, and dozens of cylinders (I should practice my cylinders!) Bouncing between this and the Marvel approach, I have a better understanding of how to build bigger, more complicated shapes out of simpler ones.
I’ve heard some critiques that this book teaches the “wrong” way, so maybe I’ll regret some habits I’ve learned later on, but for now I can say that working through this for a months was the easiest way for me to consistently improve. I never had to stop to get a specific tool, and each of the lessons were focused, with optional bonus exercises afterwards.
Conclusion
I’m only just starting my artistic journey, and i have a bunch more books on my shelf I want to investigate. I’m currently working through a Loomis book, which is heavily stylized, but I see the practicality in. I’m sure I’ll have more thoughts as I continue to learn.
Until then, it’s time to practice perspective!