Step-by-Step Studio: Drawing Lifelike Subjects

Book excerpt: Step-by-Step Studio: Drawing Lifelike Subjects teaches beginning artists how to create realistic, detailed drawings in graphite pencil. Featuring in-depth instruction on basic drawing techniques, creating texture, developing likeness, and more, Step-by-Step Studio: Drawing Lifelike Subjects is the perfect guide for you as a beginning or intermediate artist. After an introduction to basic materials and pencil techniques, four accomplished artists offer insight, tips, and step-by-step demonstrations that help create detailed, lifelike drawings of your chosen subjects, including animals, flowers, and landscapes. Learn to create texture and likeness using basic pencil techniques, understanding perspective, exploring light and shadow, developing values, and more. Dogs & Puppies: From a soulful Basset Hound puppy to a full-grown German Shepherd, learn to draw your chosen breed step by step. Flowers & Botanicals: Explains basic flower anatomy and how to render detailed still lifes and florals using basic pencil techniques to convey light and shadow. Beautiful Landscapes: See the world through the eyes of an artist as you recreate coastal scenes, warm cottages, and pastoral landscapes. Lifelike Animals: Capture the essence of your favorite wild animals, including elephants, tigers, lions, wolves, and more. Throughout the book, artists Diane Cardaci, Nolon Stacey, Linda Weil, and Diane Wright offer practical drawing techniques and easy-to-understand, step-by-step instruction, but also encouraging words. The journey through Step-by-Step Studio: Drawing Lifelike Subjects is not about making perfect drawings; it's about achieving likeness and drawing skills with each new project, while having a great time. The books in the Step-by-Step Studio series introduce beginning artists to the fundamental tools and techniques of their chosen medium. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step projects help beginners hone their skills while creating artwork across a variety of subjects, from still life and landscapes to animal portraits and botanicals.