You will learn how to sketch in no time at all when you follow the clear instructions in this well thought out e-book.
Author, Kerry Godsall, takes you by the hand and leads you through the simple and enjoyable process of developing easy sketches of such diverse subjects as animals, trees, people and buildings.
She suggests using pencil sketches and plain paper to start with to avoid the possible distraction of having too many choices of materials, but points out that the principles that she shows you may be applied to sketches in other mediums, such as pen and ink, charcoal or colored pencil.
Kerry differentiates sketching from drawing and explains
that sketching is rather like shorthand drawing, a skill in its own
right and useful for recording quick impressions of a subject, whether
that is a playful cat, a seascape or glimpses of trees by a shady creek.
If you are a complete beginner, who wants to learn how to sketch, then this book is for you. But if you already have a reasonable level of drawing and sketching competency you will probably benefit more from books directed at advanced students.
Personally, I enjoyed reading
the book and appreciated Kerry’s perception of how to sketch ‘from
scratch’, something that she taught herself from years of research and
practice.
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However it came as something of a surprise that there would be such a strong demand for this basic level of instruction because I can’t remember learning these skills myself – I just seemed to know them, rather like knowing how to speak and walk. (This little sketch on the left was done when Kerry was still learning. I think it is charming, don't you?) |
So it would seem that some people develop sketching skills early,
without trying, while others need to make a deliberate effort to unleash
their latent ability – which is where Kerry’s knowledge and patience,
coupled with her interest in helping you, comes in.
It seems to me, having read Kerry's e-book , that sketching is about gaining simple skills, such as which pencils to use for particular effects, how to quickly measure proportions, a basic understanding of perspective and how to create quick impressions for your own reference and enjoyment.
By following the easy
exercises and suggestions you will not only learn to sketch but you will
grow in confidence. Perhaps this course, with its ‘baby steps’ would be
a good ‘refresher’ for those many adults, who enjoyed art subjects in
their youth and always yearned to take up the interest again, but are
held back because they don’t know where to start.
Once you have completed exercises, which teach you some of the types of strokes that can be made with various pencils, you will learn in which direction those strokes should go in order to better describe the character and form of an object. Fascinating stuff!
That’s just the beginning of your journey, which will lead you through winding pathways of discovery and practice until you no longer wonder how to sketch – you will just know!
Should you decide that this course is for you, Kerry generously includes several free e-books which complement it. I can see that you are going to have a lot of fun!
I
would be so interested to hear how you get on, so perhaps, when you
have mastered a few of the techniques, you may like to return here and
share your sketches and experiences with us?
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