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qbranch001 · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2002 1:44 pm

I have heard that the book "The Natural Way to Draw" by Kimon Nicolaides is THE best art instruction book, and is extremely highly regarded. However, I was reading a review of the book on Amazon and someone said it was only for internally expressive, abstract drawings, and not visually stunning, realitically complex drawings like Norman Rockwell's pieces. I would like to create detailed works, for character/creature design etc. but was afraid that the book would send me off-track if I bought it. I was wondering if anyone out there had tried the book, and if so, what did it do for their art skills?

Many Thanks,
Qbranch001. Confused

makototaramoto · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2002 11:00 pm

I havent tried the book but i dont think a person goes into the book and comes out with a dramtic style change but maybe a modification or a new approach in his/her syle.Do you take an art course? ....the teachers could recommend a book according to your style.

mercer
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Inspector Lee · Posted: Mon Dec 23, 2002 11:44 pm

Nicolaides' book has been used in school for years. It focuses on learning to really look carefully and see what you are drawing. It uses a lot of blind contour (drawing while looking only at the object you're drawing and not at the paper) and contour drawing exercises. It can really improve the way you draw from life and from live models, but it doesn't really address "construction" drawing (drawing from your imagination). Although anything that improves your understanding of forms and drawing will help you in drawing from imagination.
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Aboogwa · junior member Member # Joined: 21 Dec 2002 Posts: 22

While blind contour drawing without lifting the pencil from paper, how can you connect the two lines to form the closed shape when you can't look at the paper?

When drawing for real (not just as an exercise) how should one divide the time spent looking at the reference and at the paper? And how often should one switch from looking at one to the other?

Does anyone know free web sites that offer tutorials and guides similar to what's offered in such an art instruction book? I saw this one web page where they had art books (Loomis?) online for free. Is there a web page that offers this particular drawing book ("The Natural Way to Draw") or an equivalent one online?

qbranch001 · Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2002 2:07 am

Thanks all for your thoughts. Yes, the book is geared towards developing your own style, rather than copying a teacher's style. I think the book has taken a lot of criticism because the diagrams in the book are simply scribblings that demonstate how you shoud go about the exercises, and people think this is what the book teaches you to draw like. Aboogwa, I got my copy from Amazon, although it was on special order, as it is quite a rare book in the UK, USA should have no problem. Makototaramoto, I do take life drawing courses, but only for 12 days of the year, as my degree is focused on computer arts. Good idea on asking the teacher though, thanks.

Anyone else who has tried the book, I am still taking opinions, so share your thoughts as I would like to get a varied view on the book.

Thanks again,
Qbranch001.

atomicmonkey · member Member # Joined: 21 Nov 2001 Posts: 83

MadSamoan · Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2002 9:51 pm

I'm not a particular fan of Nicolaides' book. It has good points and the exercises are valid, but it can be discouraging for someone that doesn't have alot of patience because the type of drawings that you end up doing are unattractive excercises and it's hard to gauge your improvement. It's really the kind of book that people with advanced draftsmanship skills will appreciate, but for beginners looks kind of boring.

Mr.Manga · member Member # Joined: 29 Dec 2002 Posts: 57

I havent seen any of Nicolaides books. I can recommend Burne Hogarth though. He has some stunning illustrations of human form. Im not sure what style you want to draw in...but...Burne Hogarth is great for anatomy and figure.

Very Happy

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piter · Posted: Wed Jan 01, 2003 11:13 pm

just thought i'd throw in my two cents...
the following books i found to be excellent, but of course you will have to judge for yourself which ones are appropriate for you.

the practice and science of drawing
harold speed

oil painting techniques and materials
harold speed

alla prima: everything i know about painting
richard schmid

figure drawing for all it's worth
andrew loomis
it's out of print, but you can find a .pdf version here:
http://www.saveloomis.org/

the first 3 are quite rigorous in their approach, but if you want to draw and paint like the old masters, they're hard to beat. as i have found in my own experience, rigor = doing things right from the getgo, so it's well worth it IMHO.

i can't say enough about andrew loomis' book. it's gold.