The Complete Idiot's Guide to Drawing Basics

i have a huge stack of instructional drawing books... some better than others. i realize that everyone has a different learning style, but this particular book just inspired me to jump in without abandon and without "overthinking" things (which i tend to do), so this was a great approach for me. the style is really casual, as well as the author's artistic style. some of his drawings are almost "advanced doodles," but in copying them, i felt it gave me freedom to just try and draw like this as well... and not get so bogged down in detail and trying to tackle too much at once. it gave me a lot of confidence to draw people, also, which i initially thought would be daunting. he breaks down the features of the face in a really great way... not anatomically, but just basic points and observations to keep in mind when drawing an eye or lips, for example. his pointers have really stuck with me, and got me hooked on drawing!

I've been waiting for a book like this forever. Seriously,this is THE BOOK for anyone who wants to draw but is afraid they have no ability. Author Fradella provides tons of illustrative examples with a great sense of humor to teach the basics ideas of how to draw.(Which is a refreshing change from all these books on drawing that are too word intensive and don't provide enough illustrated examples, something any book on creating art needs.) Fradella offers encouragement in reminding us all"Michaelangelo sucked. Davinci sucked too. Man they both stunk on ice! Then they made something worth putting up in your bathroom." By letting us know that even the great masters were lousy starting out, that no one is born being talented with a pencil. Fradella makes learning to draw fun, which is what it's truly all about. Because if you don't enjoy creating art, there's no point to it. If there were a rating high enough, I'd give this one 10 stars.