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Look Closer, Draw Better: Expert Techniques for Realistic Drawing
Capture your subjects on paper like never before. Look Closer, Draw Better will transform the way you see the subjects of your artwork, lighting the way with practical techniques in a range of mediums. Are you looking to make a leap in the quality of your artwork? Are you looking for new perspectives on the art of drawing? Or maybe you want to bring more poetry and presence to your work. Look Closer, Draw Better will help you reach your goals with projects that explore graphite, charcoal, ink, and watercolor wash, emphasizing techniques that Kateri Ewing has refined over years of practice and teaching. Ewing teaches by training your eye to see subjects clearly in contour, line, and shadow, while you learn to make marks with tools that are expressive of what we really see. Her focus is on nature—birds, flowers, and plants that can be closely observed. Discover the techniques for capturing the delicacy of feathers, the natural blemishes on a piece of fruit, the veins and velvety texture of a leaf—all the tiny details that enhance the realistic quality of a drawing. Ewing takes you carefully through every step. Let Look Closer, Draw Better inspire and transform your artistic eye.
- GenresArtDrawingNonfiction
127 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 19, 2020
***Advance Review Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beautiful visuals, however, other than that I have to say that I found this book to be rather disappointing.
I expected to get a more in-depth approach at "looking closer". I was expecting some new approaches, maybe more on the author's experience, some "secret tips". Unfortunately, on relatively small space the author managed to cram in a lot of things — graphite, Charcoal, Pen and Ink, Watercolor, and then some projects.
If you're new to drawing and want to have a look and see what would seem like fun to you then maybe this is a book for you.
Unfortunately, since I have some experience with different practices I did not enjoy this. I wish I could say that at least some of the projects seemed like fun which I would want to try but unfortunately no.
I can only say with a good conscience that I recommend this book to beginners who want to learn more about tools and materials for different methods. Here I commend the author, and I'm saying very well done! As always I loved the part about understanding your paper which was my nemesis for a very long time.
Beautiful visuals, however, other than that I have to say that I found this book to be rather disappointing.
I expected to get a more in-depth approach at "looking closer". I was expecting some new approaches, maybe more on the author's experience, some "secret tips". Unfortunately, on relatively small space the author managed to cram in a lot of things — graphite, Charcoal, Pen and Ink, Watercolor, and then some projects.
If you're new to drawing and want to have a look and see what would seem like fun to you then maybe this is a book for you.
Unfortunately, since I have some experience with different practices I did not enjoy this. I wish I could say that at least some of the projects seemed like fun which I would want to try but unfortunately no.
I can only say with a good conscience that I recommend this book to beginners who want to learn more about tools and materials for different methods. Here I commend the author, and I'm saying very well done! As always I loved the part about understanding your paper which was my nemesis for a very long time.
February 21, 2019
This book has beautiful illustrations throughout, but if you already have some art books at home you will most likely have one that goes through the exact same exercises and gives the same advice.
Don't get me wrong, it's a solid book, BUT:
There is nothing new in this book in terms of techniques, advice or exercises, so I can only recommend it if you don't have any other art books at home yet or you are a beginner and are starting out.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy of Look Closer, Draw Better.
Don't get me wrong, it's a solid book, BUT:
There is nothing new in this book in terms of techniques, advice or exercises, so I can only recommend it if you don't have any other art books at home yet or you are a beginner and are starting out.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a copy of Look Closer, Draw Better.
March 12, 2019
Like most art instruction books, I have mixed feelings. Does it provide useful information for beginners? Sure does. Is there anything unique here? Not really. If you are new to drawing and / or just want as many tips as possible, this will help you to understand why breaking up images into basic shapes will improve your drawing. So will a lot of other books. This one happens to be quite text heavy while I prefer books that rely on images more. Someone who prefers less images and more text descriptions will probably find this to be a 4-5 star book.
November 1, 2022
I loved this book a lot, and I learned a lot of helpful things from it. It’s engaging and the instructions are clear and simple. I haven’t tried the techniques yet but they’re in my memory to incorporate in my future work. I loved how the author was introducing the tools and technique by using exercises that the reader could attempt along.
And although they were step by step exercises, they offered a lot of insight about process. I’ve been through step by step approaches in art books that are too rigid and just make one learn to draw a replica without figuring out the process.
But this book is totally different. It has a bunch of great tips.
In general, the author goes through various drawing mediums and cumulates them into mixed media projects; more flexible and creative exercises.
I did however feel that the very last projects although beautiful were a bit redundant.
Plus the author’s work is extremely lovely in my opinion.
Was a good read overall.
___
By the way, I loved this quote :
“the more we draw, the better we see; and the better we see, the more honest, realistic, and poetic our drawings become.”
Found it motivating because they always tell you it is the opposite that you have to learn to see first to get better at drawing. This quote gives a more enthusiastic approach.
And although they were step by step exercises, they offered a lot of insight about process. I’ve been through step by step approaches in art books that are too rigid and just make one learn to draw a replica without figuring out the process.
But this book is totally different. It has a bunch of great tips.
In general, the author goes through various drawing mediums and cumulates them into mixed media projects; more flexible and creative exercises.
I did however feel that the very last projects although beautiful were a bit redundant.
Plus the author’s work is extremely lovely in my opinion.
Was a good read overall.
___
By the way, I loved this quote :
“the more we draw, the better we see; and the better we see, the more honest, realistic, and poetic our drawings become.”
Found it motivating because they always tell you it is the opposite that you have to learn to see first to get better at drawing. This quote gives a more enthusiastic approach.
September 4, 2019
I chose to read this book because I follow this artist and author on YouTube and I bought her classes on Craftsy.com which is now known as Bluprint.com. I was able to read it with the Hoopla app from my local library.
This is still aspirational reading for me as a beginner. Ewing has step-by-step instructions with pictures that show the step-by-step appearances! It isn't just the instructions and a picture of the final product that too many instructional books think we beginners can understand what our progress might look like. This book contains lessons for these media: graphite, charcoal, pen, ink washes, and watercolors.
I highly recommend this book.
This is still aspirational reading for me as a beginner. Ewing has step-by-step instructions with pictures that show the step-by-step appearances! It isn't just the instructions and a picture of the final product that too many instructional books think we beginners can understand what our progress might look like. This book contains lessons for these media: graphite, charcoal, pen, ink washes, and watercolors.
I highly recommend this book.
March 9, 2022
Solid basics using a variety of media. Information about tools, materials, prep, and technique for graphite, charcoal, pen and ink, and watercolor. Step by step illustrations for a different project for each medium. One point I took away: The first time you attempt a project, you are learning. The second time you are practicing. The third time you are gaining confidence. After that, you are working for ease and flow. So, don't just do a project once.
November 22, 2023
Great book with step-by step projects on how to draw detailed objects.
February 22, 2019
If there's one thing I could snap my fingers and become, it's a person who can see like an artist. I've spent a lot of time trying to become better at drawing but my ability to slow down and really see isn't really all that great. I do everything fast and drawing is no exception.
If you have a ton of art books at home, like I do, this book doesn't really contain anything shockingly new. But there are two takeaways from my time with this lovely book.
1. Start practicing again. I used to draw daily but I gave it up. Getting better is about practice. She recommends having a 15-minutes a day practice. She recommends all the things I hate doing: blind contour, contour, etc but alas there's a reason those are recommended again and again. It's about training your hands, training your eyes. It's about getting out of your head (where I live so much of the time and it doesn't really serve me when drawing.) so 15 minutes a day it is. Who doesn't have 15 minutes?
2. Slow down. Go in layers, start with the light and build up. Slow down. Look. I feel the need to say it again: slow down.
Much of this book is graphite and charcoal and ink. I wanted to see the watercolor projects and they didn't disappoint. I found the steps more broken down than usual in most of the books I have on hand and I really appreciated that.
If you want some inspiration to take you back to the basics and remind you the core elements of how to create solid drawings, this is the book for you.
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
If you have a ton of art books at home, like I do, this book doesn't really contain anything shockingly new. But there are two takeaways from my time with this lovely book.
1. Start practicing again. I used to draw daily but I gave it up. Getting better is about practice. She recommends having a 15-minutes a day practice. She recommends all the things I hate doing: blind contour, contour, etc but alas there's a reason those are recommended again and again. It's about training your hands, training your eyes. It's about getting out of your head (where I live so much of the time and it doesn't really serve me when drawing.) so 15 minutes a day it is. Who doesn't have 15 minutes?
2. Slow down. Go in layers, start with the light and build up. Slow down. Look. I feel the need to say it again: slow down.
Much of this book is graphite and charcoal and ink. I wanted to see the watercolor projects and they didn't disappoint. I found the steps more broken down than usual in most of the books I have on hand and I really appreciated that.
If you want some inspiration to take you back to the basics and remind you the core elements of how to create solid drawings, this is the book for you.
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
March 17, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Look Closer, Draw Better is a technique and exercise book for visual artists and learners by Kateri Ewing. Released 5th March 2019 by Quarto on their Rockport imprint, it's 128 pages and available in paperback format. I love drawing and calligraphy. I am at what I refer to as the 'keen amateur' level. This book has inspired me to try to be more diligent in my practice and journaling.
This is a well written book. The author has a concise and encouraging voice in her writing. The book is laid out logically and progresses from graphite and pencils, through charcoal, pen and ink, and watercolor. There are exercises scattered throughout along with highlighted sidebar tips. There's a tutorial project chapter with the same still life subject in two different media treatments (graphite and pen & ink), a showcase gallery, and a short resource list.
The really valuable takeaway for me was the author's guidance for training our ability to see what we are representing and separating it from what our brain is interpreting and presenting to us as reality.
This is a worthy addition to the artist's library and both beginners and more advanced students will find useful material here.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Look Closer, Draw Better is a technique and exercise book for visual artists and learners by Kateri Ewing. Released 5th March 2019 by Quarto on their Rockport imprint, it's 128 pages and available in paperback format. I love drawing and calligraphy. I am at what I refer to as the 'keen amateur' level. This book has inspired me to try to be more diligent in my practice and journaling.
This is a well written book. The author has a concise and encouraging voice in her writing. The book is laid out logically and progresses from graphite and pencils, through charcoal, pen and ink, and watercolor. There are exercises scattered throughout along with highlighted sidebar tips. There's a tutorial project chapter with the same still life subject in two different media treatments (graphite and pen & ink), a showcase gallery, and a short resource list.
The really valuable takeaway for me was the author's guidance for training our ability to see what we are representing and separating it from what our brain is interpreting and presenting to us as reality.
This is a worthy addition to the artist's library and both beginners and more advanced students will find useful material here.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
September 2, 2019
I'm so glad that I came back to this book even though I was unable to download and review it earlier. I've always wanted to draw better, but get discouraged every time. Kateri Ewing has helped me understand why. I'm a "look at the big picture" type of person. By reading this book I know now, if you want a nice detailed drawing you have to look at the small parts and not just the big picture, at least in the beginning. Look Closer is the key. The other great learning tool in this book is how to use various tools and why. Charcoal, graphite, and so on. Which is good for what and how to use them for the best outcome. I never gave any thought before on the differences because I just always used a #2 pencil. This book will help be "draw better". I just need to take my time and go through the lessons slowly and not be in such a "big picture" rush.
#netgalley #LookCloser,DrawBetter
#netgalley #LookCloser,DrawBetter
May 21, 2019
I have kept nature journals for many years, and have always wanted to improve my drawing skills. I found this book to be just what I needed to slow that process down. To see things as they are, not how I think they are. I had more than one 'lightbulb' moment while working through the easy to follow and well illustrated exercises. Kateri guides the reader through choosing the right materials and invites all artists, new and seasoned alike, to tap into the creative and expressive spirit that lives in each of us. A delightful book that I am sure I will revisit again and again.
~Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - Rockport Publishers for providing a preview copy in exchange for an honest review.
~Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group - Rockport Publishers for providing a preview copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 5, 2019
GNab . Kateri Ewing brings us excellent advice on slowing down and really seeing what we are seeing. She can help us old folks change bad habits and new art students choose the right track to bring to others what you see in your heart. This is a book I wish I had had 50 years ago, and one I will make sure my children have before times. Thank you!
I received a free electronic copy of this self-help book from Netgalley, Kateri Ewing, and Quarto Publishing Group - Rockport Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Netgalley
pub date March 5, 2019
I received a free electronic copy of this self-help book from Netgalley, Kateri Ewing, and Quarto Publishing Group - Rockport Publishers in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
Netgalley
pub date March 5, 2019
May 8, 2019
What a fabulous book this is, not large but packed with information about drawing with various media. Firstly there are exercises in drawing, seeing and practice. Then we have sections on drawing with graphite pencil, charcoal sticks, pen and ink and lastly watercolour, all include projects that are very stimulating and informative. At the end of the book there is a galley of artwork.
I really found this book well explained, well written and very helpful. If you want to improve your drawing this is certainly a good book
I really found this book well explained, well written and very helpful. If you want to improve your drawing this is certainly a good book
February 26, 2019
As a teacher, I appreciate clear, concise directions. Kateri is specific about every aspect of seeing like an artist, from materials to step-by-step instructions for each and every step. At no time would someone picking up a paintbrush or drawing pencil for the first time feel lost or abandoned by the teacher. The illustrations are just right- supporting the text but not cluttering the page. Can a book give someone confidence to tread where they haven’t gone before? This one did.
March 3, 2019
I received a digital advanced readers copy of this book from Netgalley.
I was immediately taken in by this book with how Ewing urges the reader to slow down and see differently. Another title I would recommend to a beginner as well as someone more experienced in the arts for some refreshing exercises.
The examples were astonishingly lovely. It's a little book, but it packs a punch. I hope to get this into the hands of my patrons soon!
I was immediately taken in by this book with how Ewing urges the reader to slow down and see differently. Another title I would recommend to a beginner as well as someone more experienced in the arts for some refreshing exercises.
The examples were astonishingly lovely. It's a little book, but it packs a punch. I hope to get this into the hands of my patrons soon!
February 16, 2019
In less than 65 pages, Kateri is able to teach how to create real life sketches by exploring different techniques such as graphite, charcoal, ink, and watercolor wash as well. The tutorials are easy to follow and well illustrated. Also, the author teach how improve the observation by focusing on the contour, the line, and the shadow of the subjects.
#LookCloserDrawBetter #NetGalley
#LookCloserDrawBetter #NetGalley
March 13, 2019
I find the Look Closer, Draw Better book to be very intriguing. It has several detailed projects that are great for the beginner to the advanced artist. It broaches several different aspects of natural objects and I believe this to be a reference source that I will use for many years to come. I would definitely recommend Look Closer, Draw Better to both new and old artist.
September 28, 2019
Beautifully written and even more beautifully illustrated. Very inspiring and gives great advice for learning to draw. Her art is delicate and tender. She gives instructions on how to achieve those types of results. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to learn this style of drawing and painting
May 6, 2020
Really practical drawing guide for realistic drawing. I have always struggled to really see objects and break them down into familiar shapes. This book was very helpful with practical steps on how to improve sketching techniques.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews