Father's Day Gift Giving Guide -- Basic Drawing Made Amazingly Easy by Christopher Hart (Review)

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (April 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823082768
• ISBN-13: 978-0823082766

Basic Drawing Made Amazingly Easy: Master the Building Blocks of Drawing is a complete drawing book for the beginning artist—perfect for adults or kids! The book jump-starts the creative process and provide all the tools the novice needs to turn a burgeoning interest into a fully fledged passion.

The subjects for drawing have all been carefully selected—just challenging enough to require effort, but not so difficult as to create frustration. Each lesson builds on the one before so that the artist's skill increases with the sophistication of the lessons presented. By following the progression of techniques, the beginner will learn how to see like an artist in terms of form and line. Each chapter's topic has been chosen to increase the reader's skill and confidence. Along the way, readers will learn how to handle form and composition and how to add depth and shading to their drawings.

My Thoughts:

I wasn't planning on including this book at part of my Father's Day gift giving guide, but since receiving this book has quickly become a favorite of my husband.  He always wished he knew how to draw, and spent countless hours doodling on notebook covers and scrap paper, like many of us have as children and as adults.  He even remembered drawing a mouse and submitting it to a contest -- you know the one I am talking about -- it was in all those magazines growing up.  And, when you submitted your work, you were sent promotional material to sign up for drawing classes.  When he received this and realized that everyone who submitted a drawing, no matter if it was good or not, he stopped drawing, as he gave up hope to ever be a good drawer.

But, when I received this basic drawing book a week ago, he picked up a pencil and paper again and gave it a shot.  He couldn't believe how easy it was to create things like furniture, vehicles and faces.  He began at the beginning and worked his way through this book over a week's time.  It ended up becoming a relaxing tool for him at the end of a long day.  As he practiced his drawing techniques, his stress would dissolve away. And, when he was done drawing, he would be left smiling, as he was proud of the final product.  

I tried a few of the drawing techniques in the book, and loved how easy it was to follow the step-by-step instruction, in order to grasp basic techniques.  Even though I haven't sat with the book and practiced drawing as much as my husband, the time I did spend with this book, has greatly improved my drawing ability, and gave me a new love for doodling/drawing.

So, if you husband/father likes to draw, or always wish he knew how to, why not surprise him this Father's Day with a copy of Basic Drawing Made Amazingly Easy by Christopher Hart?  He doesn't have to spend hours a day learning the basic concepts and techniques of drawing.  And, in no time, he will finally be drawing those cars and boats he always imagined he could. :-)  Now, my refrigerator is covered not only with my daughter's artwork, but with drawings done by my husband, thanks to this book.

---BUY NOW---

Click here to order a copy of this book for yourself, or to give to your Dad this Father's Day, from Amazon for only $14.95.  This book can be enjoyed by the entire family!

About the Author:

Christopher Hart is the world's leading author of drawing and cartooning books. His books have sold 3.1 million English-language copies and have been translated into twenty languages. Renowned for up-to-the-minute content, cutting-edge art, and easy-to-follow steps, all of Hart's books have become staples for a new generation of aspiring artists and professionals, and they have been selected by the American Library Association for special notice. He also hosts the TV segment "How to Draw Action Heroes with Chris Hart" for the Comcast TV Network. Visit his website at www.ChrisHartBooks.com

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.