I think there are many would-be artists who believe that they're not capable of 'real' art because they've spent their non-childhood lives in a negative feedback cycle. Children (as regards art) are mostly fearless. As Picasso said, “All children are born artists, the problem is to remain an artist as we grow up.” Anyhow, though I often feel the desire to be visually creative, to paint and draw... my efforts generally don't live up to my expectations and I get discouraged.
This book does a very good job of trying to counteract that negative feedback loop. The author is encouraging and positive, always upbeat.
For a relatively short book, there is a lot of content and many techniques. I especially loved the tutorial guide for collage. There how-to sections include prepping paper for collage, lino cutting, some digital work, drawing, drybrushing, wet inking and more.
The author spends about 25% of the book's content introducing and showing the materials and methods used in the book. The next chapters show different types of animals and in different media. There's even a chapter on imaginary/fantastic creatures which has a nifty mix-and-match creativity exercise included.
There is a fair bit of 'note' space and doodle space included in the page count which could have been given over to more content, since most readers will not be marking up the physical book. Otherwise, it was a really encouraging, fun, and very useful book.
Four stars! I had a lot of fun with this one; in fact, enough fun that I am encouraged to continue.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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