What is Get Drawing book about?

Get Drawing is an instructional book on how to observe and draw realistically, with me, your teacher, by your side.  It contains exercises, example sketches and links to online demonstrations.  It’s to help you get drawing.  Get Drawing – understand how to do it and Get Drawing – start drawing. 

Who is the book for?

I have written this book for you, who think you can't draw; you, who've had an art teacher tell you that you would never be able to draw; and for you, who think you don't have talent. This book is for you who believes you haven't a creative bone in your body, can't draw a straight line, can or can't draw stick figures. It’s also for you who are already on your drawing journey.  I'll sit by your side and gently guide you.  

This book is for ALL of you.

How is this book different from other drawing books?

Having taught well over a thousand students to draw, I’ve found that everyone has the same subconscious ideas of how things should look which lead them to make the same errors while learning to draw.  These mistakes are inevitable no matter who the student is or their previous experience. I’ve therefore included sections throughout the book called watchpoints which point out common errors made by students.  The watchpoints give the reader a sense that there is a teacher (me) in the room with them. 

I am excited that, through the wonders of technology, you will also have access to video demonstrations throughout the book to help with your learning and drawing process.

Why have I written this book?

One of the problems with drawing books is that you don’t know if or when your drawing is different to what you’re being asked to do in the exercises. By having watchpoints you can refer to them after you’ve done your work to check how you’ve done. You might not notice a difference between what you’ve done and what the example is. Even if you read the watchpoints before you do the exercise you are still likely to make at least some of the errors. 

Every student I've taught has similar 'head talk', the same expectations, the same unhelpful ways of looking or, more accurately, 'not looking'.  They make the same assumptions and trip up on the same pitfalls.  I want you to have the same reaction as when I walk around a classroom and ask you to correct something and they go “oh my god you’re right.”