(by 36 people)
Created by GannonBeck (contact me)
I am an illustrator living in Virginia. I am an advocate of learning, mentoring, and sharing knowledge.
Read my blog at GannonBeck.com
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This lens exists to help those who would like to learn to draw and paint in styles both representational and exaggerated. The books, links and videos recommended in this lens will develop an artist's ability to use line, value, and color in artistic compositions.
If you like the information provided, please don't forget to rate this lens.
Part 1:
Basic drawing and perspective
The First Book You Should Read
Part 1 of this learning lens. There are no prerequisites required.
The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
This is the best place for beginners to start. This book will teach you to draw what you see.
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 05/17/2008)
The Myth of Talent
Studies show it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at anything. That means 5 to 10 years for most people, depending on the level of immersion in the new skill to be acquired. Becoming a "talented" artist is no different. It's simply a matter of effort.
Marshall Vandruff's Perspective DVDs
This video suppports part 1 of this lens
A Lesson on Perspective
Drawing lessons with perspective by Draw123.com.
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Perspective Books to Support Marshall Vandruff's DVDs
Perspective Drawing Handbook (Dover Art Instruction)
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 05/17/2008)
Creative Perspective for Artists and Illustrators
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 05/17/2008)
Part 2:
Anatomy, construction, and proportion
Andrew Loomis and the Best Illustration Books Ever Written
Part 2 of this learning lens. The prerequisite recommended is Part 1.
Andrew Loomis is my favorite teacher. Sadly his books are out of print, but are the gold standard of art instruction. His books, "Fun with a Pencil," Figure Drawing for All It's Worth," and "Drawing the Head and Hands" can all be understood by beginners. "Creative Illustration," and "The Eye of the Painter" should really be in Part 3 of this lens as they are best studied only after studying the other three Loomis books. I implore you to seek these wonderful books out. I'll post the auctions here when I find them.
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Getting the Most out of Andrew Loomis
I only became aware of these books in the last two years. I am currently studying them intently to fix any cracks in my foundation. While I am not finished studying them, I have read them all, except Eye of the Painter (which I haven't gotten a hold of yet), I recommend the following order for his books:
1. Fun with a Pencil:
This is an easy read. If you are just beginning with drawing, this is a good place to start. It will expose you to the concept of construction, which is building complex shapes out of basic shapes. Loomis does not burden the reader with precise measurements of proportion necessary in realistic work, so it is lighter in tone, while providing a solid foundation in the Loomis approach. I love this book, but it can be skipped if you have some experience drawing.
2. Drawing the Head and Hands
In this book, Loomis starts with construction, delves deeper into the subject by introducing concepts of proportion, planes, anatomy, and tone. These are the same concepts he uses in "Figure Drawing for All It's Worth," but the ideas are easier to digest because the subject matter is limited to just a few body parts. I'm just about done with this book - meaning I have almost all that I need committed to memory - and for the first time in my life, I feel capable of drawing portraits well. I have taken particular pleasure in being able to draw charming pictures of my children thanks to this book.
3. Figure Drawing for All It's Worth
Most of what needs to be committed to memory with regard to proportion and anatomy are in the first two chapters of this book. I've been lingering in those chapters for a while, but my renderings of the figure keep improving. Moreover, I find that it is easier than ever to draw convincing figures out of my head with no reference at all.
4. Creative Illustration
This is largely considered Loomis's masterpiece. I have experimented with some of the design approaches in my own work with good success. Although I have read the book, I won't be able to "chew and digest" it until I have fixed the principles of "Figure Drawing for All It's Worth" into my memory.
"Lack of knowledge can be greater torture than the effort of acquiring it."
- Andrew Loomis
Results of Studying Andrew Loomis and Marshall Vandruff
Here is some of my progress as I go through Loomis's books and perspective DVDs. The children's heads were done after completion of "Drawing the Head and Hands." Each illustration was drawn from a picture and took just a few minutes. The figure drawing studies are ongoing. The anatomical and proportion studies come from "Figure Drawing for All It's Worth."
Mashall's instruction has helped me improve my draftsmanship. I'm getting much better and handling circles in perspective.
I've been drawing for years, but I'm still finding a lot of room for improvement. I wish I discovered these resources years ago.
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"[B]ad drawing springs from basic faults as surely as good drawing springs from basic merits."
- Andrew Loomis
My Figure Drawing Thread on Drawingboard.org
- My sketches from life
- I post my figure drawing sketches here. I'm making a systematic study of the human figure in order to improve my skills. Check the thread out to see how it's coming. If interested, join the fun and start a thread of your own.
Part 3 and Part 3 (alternate):
Color, composition, and various techniques
Watercolor Books and DVDs
Part 3 of this learning lens. The prerequisites recommended are Parts 1 and 2.
Basic Watercolor Techniques (Art Instruction)
This is one of the best beginning books for aspiring watercolorists. Don't skip the easy exercises. Pay close attention to becoming familiar with your paints and it will pay dividends in the long run.
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Watercolor Composition Made Easy
The emphasis on this book is COMPOSITION and encourages artistic license. It will help you interpret and edit what you see to make your compositions more appealing.
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Getting Started Right (Remastered, Classic)
This isn't on Amazon last I checked, but look for it and other DVDs by Jan Kunz on the web. In addition to reading books, watching skilled artists work is both highly inspiring and instructional.
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Comic Book and Cartooning Art Instruction
Part 3 (alternate) of this learning lens. The prerequisites recommended are Parts 1 and 2.
The Art Of Comic-Book Inking 2nd Edition
This book will teach artists about the tools and techniques of working in ink.
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 05/17/2008)
Mythology: The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross
Alex Ross is the pop culture Norman Rockwell. In addition to being an inspiring book, there is a tutorial at the end about his process of working with photographs.
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
Joe Kubert's Comic Book Studio: Everything You Need To Make Your Own Comic Book
This book is very simply put together but is a gem. The supplies aren't that great but the insights into the process of planning a comic book are invaluable.
Amazon Price: $12.44 (as of 05/17/2008)
Draw the Looney Tunes
I recently discovered this book. Unlike most cartooning books which only give "recipies" for characters, this book will give you the underlying approach to create your own characters.
Amazon Price: $26.00 (as of 05/17/2008)
Steve Rude: Artist in Motion
This book is not intended to be instructional with relation to method like the Loomis books are, yet the book gives clear insight into what it takes to achieve artistic excellence.
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 05/17/2008)
Comic Book Fun and Practice
Here is a little Batman story I did for fun. The Star Wars pages were inked by me (but not drawn by me) for practice. If you like the Batman sculpture, check out the "Polymer Clay Sculpting Tips and Tutorials" by Noadi to start working on your sculpting skills.
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Part 4:
Additional resources
Gurney Journey
This daily weblog by James Gurney is for illustrators, comic artists, plein-air painters, sketchers, animators, art students, and writers. You'll find insights into the making of Dinotopia and reports on art schools, museums, and bookstores during the ongoing Journey to Chandara tour.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byPOST YOUR ARTWORK!!!
Here are some collaborative learning environments for ALL PARTS of this lens.
- DrawingBoard.org
- The participants of this art community range from beginners to working professionals. Not only is the art on this site great, the community support and assistance is some of the best I've seen on the web. Ask for critiques when you post and you'll gain a lot of valuable advice from illustration professionals. I post regularly under the name "Jarhead1" and I hope to see you there.
- ConceptArt.org
- This is another great art community. The sketchbooks in the forum section are particularly wonderful. Take note of how those who post the most, improve the most. Hmmmmmmmn.
Shopping for Supplies
- Cheap Joes Art Supplies
- Almost every serious artist I've run into swears by Cheap Joe's. They also have a print catalog you can order from.
Some (Mostly) Recent Illustrations by Me
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My Blog
In addition to posting some of the latest art projects I'm working on, I wax philosophical about learning, plus I post fitness tips and leadership lessons learned in the Marines.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhat to Learn Next?
There are many forks in road from here. Once you feel comfortable with the knowledge and skills gained from this lens don't stop the inertia of your learning. Some of your options include:-
Learn to be a Character Animator
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So often when people find out that I am a character animator the first response is usually, "Wow! that is so cool!" The next response is, "How did you learn to do that? Where did you go to school? How can I learn to do that? or How can...
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Plein Air Painting-Resources for Artists
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Plein air painting is all about painting in the great outdoors, on location, surrounded by your subject. No studio, no photos to copy from, just you and nature, one on one. This type of painting requires certain techniques, materials, equipmen...
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Learn to be a Comic Book Illustrator
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This lens exists to help those who would like to learn to create comics. The books, links and videos recommended in this lens will develop an artist's ability to tell stories in comic book form.
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Polymer Clay Sculpting Tips and Tutorials
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That's what this lens is all about. Helping anyone to start sculpting who is interested. Polymer clay is a great medium for beginners, it can be used by adults and kids (so long as they are old enough to know not to eat the clay). I...
