#INKBOOK REVIEW HOW TO#

He discusses drawing strategies - and here is an example of what he has to say.Ĭonfronted with random detail, the artist must find and distill from that chaotic overabundance, or create and impose a system of order upon it. This section provides a lot of examples of different sorts of drawings and looks at how and the reasons why different drawings develop as they do. However, once a basic facility and skill in drawing has been developed, the artist needs to move on to consider drawing in relation to perception and expression. Simpler drawing books very often focus on techniques for 'how to' use different media and perform basic drawing tasks competently. I found the final section on The Art of Drawing to be very valuable.

the use of scratchboard - and a demonstration.mixed media with examples and a demonstration using (1) wax crayon and ink and (2) pastel and ink (3) acrylic and ink.brush and pen techniques - including laying a wash (includes a demo in stages) using white ink on toned paper (very effective!).

#INKBOOK REVIEW HOW TO#

These include the use of line and tone and how to achieve these using parallel lines, hatching, cross-hatching, use of patterns, making marks to imply lines, stippling, spattering The second section is devoted to Ink Drawing Techniques and covers Many of you will have noticed I do an abbreviated version of the same thing with my own drawings when posted in this blog.

One of the things I particularly like about this book is that for each drawing it states very clearly the precise brand of pen and ink and paper used and the precise size of the drawing in both metric and inches.

This book explained why it was a good idea and also why it worked.

I knew it was a book to be taken seriously when it described a process which I had discovered quite independently - that of turning the pen over and drawing with the nib upside down to get a fine line.

I love books that explain things and get into the nitty gritty detail and this is certainly one of those.

I read it all from the point of view that there would come a day when I might be able to get them.little realising at the time that ordering online from internet suppliers was just around the corner. Also bear in mind that I read all this despite the fact that all the products listed are those that are manufactured in the USA or readily available in the USA - and a very large proportion could not be easily found in the UK. I probably learned a lot of what I know today about pen and ink and how it can be used through those pages. One of the bonuses of the this book is his very comprehensive treatment of materials for drawing in ink The subtitle of the book is 'materials and techniques for today's artist'. All quotes included here are from the book.

Smith and others to be extremely stimulating. I would expect most artists to find the range of excellent artwork in this book by Prof. I'd liken aspects of his style to a very contemporary version of Albrecht Durer. He obviously brought a wealth of practical information and experience to developing this book. A Smith, was a Professor of Fine Art at the School of Art and Design at the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York and had been since 1961. However I have to say that a lot of what he has to say about materials is of an enduring nature.Īt the time of writing the book its author, Jos. My guess is the major changes will relate to the materials section. I don't have that so I can only go by the copy I have. The latest edition was published in 1999. I'm not sure when I bought my copy but it says it was published in 1992. A Smith (published by Watson Guptill) is certainly one of the things that stimulated my interest. I am particularly fond of working in pen and ink as anybody who has reviewed drawings on my website will know.

Inkbook review