Keys to Drawing Paperback – August 15, 1990

The IntroductionThis book, is probably the best drawing book i've ever read. Not only does he cover so much, but Bert Dodson also goes into detail with out boring the reader to sleep (unlike drawing on the right side of the brain)If you used amazon.com's online reader and see some drawings that look childish inside, don't let those discourage you. I was discouraged by those and immediately saw a new light when I actually READ the book. Many books that have fanciful pictures haven't covered NEARLY as much as Bert Dodson's book. I am ordering his other book, Keys to Drawing with Imagination: Strategies and Exercises for Gaining Confidence and Enhancing Your CreativityThe MeatKeys To drawing covers things like, "Drawing what you See NOT WHAT YOU KNOW". Drawing from our minds or knowledge tends to be the problem with us. Humans have perspective filters that cause us to assume that we already KNOW how an object looks. So, as a result, when drawing, we tend to mix these "perception images" in with what we're actually seeing. Our minds dont take in as much information and detail about the subject as we think it does.This area of drawing from one's mind is a huge setback with many people, who eventually feel sure that they absolutely can't draw.This Book also covers topics like restating (a form of not erasing, but simply drawing a new line over the mistake), self critiquing (not having a negative dialogue with yourself, saying things such as, " That foot doesn't look right!" or " I never draw eyes good!"), the light source (learning how to tell where a shadow will form, how light affects and object, and "mapping" to assist in capturing light easier), the power of squinting (to flatten objects around you, and make them more manageable),negative space, merging shapes together, proportion (how to make something look exactly like you see it, extremely helpful techniques to make an accurate drawing and to make sure your subject will fit on the page, all done with tools you already have) and so on... really, there is lots more! (all of which I thought weren't going to help me the least bit in improving my drawings, but actually improved me and gave me as much insight as if I went to college and took a whole art class!)Still Unsure? Read on!Has anyone ever read those get rich quick books that always promise they know ways to make you rich, but always disappoint anyway? Well, keys to drawing is definitely the opposite. He, Bert Dodson, breaks these steps down clearly, with no shilly-shallying, no over stressing of a point. Some artists or authors have a hard time explaining themselves and can run on and on but him, oh he definitely knows what he's talking about.More BooksI'm only thirteen so please excuse the lame review and just hold my word to it. I drew little people who were far from realistic, but with this book, along with Carrie Stuart Parks book ([Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces) I can already see drastic differences in my sketches!. I would also recommend Lifelike Drawing with Lee Hammond. But lifelike drawings with lee hammond or secrets to drawing realistic faces probably do not break the steps down as easy or have as much detail as Bert Dodson because the authors tried to squeeze so much things into the book without putting much detail for each subject.Purchasing this BookThe book is about the size of a textbook with less pages. (REALLY BIG) and I got my own (new book btw) for a really low price because I don't buy from amazon, i buy from the sellers within the amazon website.

This is my absolute favorite of my 10 drawing books! This is a timeless classic, and is full of wonderful ( and sometimes...humorous ) illustrations. This book will have you saying: "Oh, yeah....why didn't I think of drawing THAT?"! It is full of wonderful drawings, in pencil, pen and ink, wash and ink, charcoal, black and white photos of pastel drawings ( or pastel paintings ).Did you ever think of just stretching out and looking at your feet, and shoes....and drawing THEM!? How about the sleeping family dog or cat?? Those make wonderful models? How about your jacket thrown over a chair....a work of Art?!!You will learn how to measure with your pencil, how to use your pencil or maybe even your fingers to line-up parts of your model...or even a the landscape that you may be looking at.Learn the importance of lighting from different angles, your viewpoint from different heights, learn balance and rhythm and harmony as components in your drawing process. You will NOT learn of your drawing materials options and choices in this book, though, get one of the other books for that. This book makes drawing both serious...and JUST PLAIN FUN!It is 221 pages, complete with lessons or projects for you to work on, on your own, or could be used for Classroom work. You just can't go wrong with this book if you use it as intended, this is a Classic and a KEEPER!!I would say that this would be for a very talented beginner to a more intermediate drawing Artist, to an advanced Artist. Ages would be from early High School on through College ...plus. IF you could only get two books I would say this one and the Complete Drawing Course by Ian Simpson.Buy, learn from it and ...ENJOY this book!

LOVE BERT DODSON'S COMMAND OF THE TECHNICAL SKILLS AND NEEDED TO DRAW, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY THE NEED TO CONVEY TO THE STUDENT HOW TO VIEW/EVALUATE/CREATE THE OBJECT ONE IS TRYING TO BRING FORTH ON PAPER & WITH PENCIL AS AN ACT OF ONE'S INDIVIDUAL CREATIVE NOTIONS. DODSON HAS INSTILLED IN ME A MORE FLUID PERSPECTIVE IN MY WHOLE APPROACH TO CREATING A PIECE OF ART. HIS IS A COMPOSITE APPROACH BLENDING ONE'S CREATIVE DESIRE/VISION WITH A SOFTER PERSPECTIVE (APPROACH) TO APPLYING TECHNIQUES/SKILL SETS WITH AN OPEN MIND TO TRYING ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING, AND NOT BEING AFRAID TO BACKUP AND TAKE A "REDO MOMENT" TO TRY ANOTHER NEW ANGLE. ARTISTS OF ALL STRIPES HAVE TIME & AGAIN PLAYED ON AN IDEA, ONLY TO EXPAND & CHANGE PERCEPTIONS ON WHAT A PROJECT SHOULD MORPH INTO OVER TIME. THIS MAY EVEN BE A WHOLE EXERCISE WHICH CAN LEAD TO MAJOR GROWTH TRANSFORMATIONS, EVEN THAT MAY DRIVE A TURN INTO NEW PATHS, AND WHICH MAY LEAD ONE BACK TO A PRIOR POSITION BUT WITH NEW ENERGY & INSIGHT TO A NEW CONCLUSION OR GOAL.Thanks Bert! for feeding my hearts desire to move in a more informed direction, and with the hope and excitement of a renewed journey in the world of Art. 02birdog - Oscar-Deuce over & out.