A Sketchbook for Artists, Designers, and Doodlers
September 1, 2013
This series takes a novel, minimalist approach to art instruction. Each "20 Ways" title provides 45 spreads that are each filled with 20 small drawings on a given theme. Readers will find no step-by-step exercises here; however, each spread offers a variety of styles and techniques. Drawings range from the realistic to the cartoonish to the decorative, with a few rendered in color. The variety of drawing types is intended to inspire readers to experiment on their own. Aspiring artists can either copy drawings directly from the books or create their own variations on a theme. The latest two volumes in the series focus on nature and animals. 20 Ways To Draw a Tree presents many sophisticated, modern drawings of plants and flowers, executed with a surprising array of materials. Despite the title, 20 Ways To Draw a Cat includes all sorts of animals, such as hedgehogs, buffalo, fish, and zebras. VERDICT While Tree will appeal to teens or adult readers, Cat is most appropriate for younger audiences.
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