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How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students
How to Draw Cool Stuff shows simple step-by-step illustrations that make it easy for anyone to draw cool stuff with precision and confidence. These pages will guide you through the basic principles of illustration by concentrating on easy-to-learn shapes that build into complex drawings. With the step-by-step guidelines provided, anything can become easy to draw. This book contains a series of fun, hands-on exercises that will help you see line, shape, space and other elements in everyday objects and turn them into detailed works of art in just a few simple steps. The exercises in this book will help train your brain so you can visualize ordinary objects in a different manner, allowing you to see through the eyes of an artist. From photorealistic faces to holiday themes and tattoo drawings, How to Draw Cool Stuff makes drawing easier than you would think and more fun than you ever imagined! Now is the time to learn how to draw the subjects and scenes you've always dreamt of drawing. How to Draw Cool Stuff is suitable for artists of any age benefiting everyone from teachers and students to self-learners and hobbyists. How to Draw Cool Stuff will help you realize your artistic potential and expose you to the pure joy of drawing!
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
November 25, 2023
حداقل برای من یادگیری کارهای عملی با کتاب جواب نمیده، و خیلی هم حوصله سربره. همچنان یوتیوب بهترین منبع آموزشه.
ولی اگر خیلی به کشیدن اسکلت علاقه دارین این کتاب هر نوع اسکلتی رو آموزش میده، اسکلت با کلاه، اسکلت در حال سوختن، اسکلت آدم فضایی، اسکلت لب دریا، اسکلت و مامانش...
ولی اگر خیلی به کشیدن اسکلت علاقه دارین این کتاب هر نوع اسکلتی رو آموزش میده، اسکلت با کلاه، اسکلت در حال سوختن، اسکلت آدم فضایی، اسکلت لب دریا، اسکلت و مامانش...
December 13, 2021
I have mixed feelings about this book. Parts are very good at instruction, with a sort of class feeling to it. She walks you through drawing all kinds of things and they match up for various aesthetics, from skulls in hats to praying hands to Easter eggs to stopwatches. There are a lot of tutorials. They use the grid and shape method, where you draw circles and lines and then erase bits. That's not my favorite way to draw but I can just skip the first steps and draw the approximate shapes shown once the lines are erased.
My biggest issue is that each one goes from being a good very basic sketch of something to a realistic shaded drawing with no instruction at all about that part -- the "and then a miracle occurred" final step in so many art books.
That said, the basic drawing instructions are great and I did improve my ability to draw things like hands, eyes and objects. Another book in the series deals with shading and I imagine they should be read together.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
My biggest issue is that each one goes from being a good very basic sketch of something to a realistic shaded drawing with no instruction at all about that part -- the "and then a miracle occurred" final step in so many art books.
That said, the basic drawing instructions are great and I did improve my ability to draw things like hands, eyes and objects. Another book in the series deals with shading and I imagine they should be read together.
I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.
December 3, 2017
Lots of fun things to draw
I casually grabbed this book one night as late-night browsing, but liked it so much I had to work through the entire thing. If you like to draw, this artist breaks it down into easy steps that anyone can do. There are TONS of examples.
The book uses basic shapes (circles, ovals, rectangles etc) to create drawings of trees, branches, birds, hands, stacks of cash...tons more.... and includes some holiday art as well as a touch on anime. There are also sketches like a cow's skull and a whimsical skeleton wearing a baseball cap.
Great book for children as well as adults.
I casually grabbed this book one night as late-night browsing, but liked it so much I had to work through the entire thing. If you like to draw, this artist breaks it down into easy steps that anyone can do. There are TONS of examples.
The book uses basic shapes (circles, ovals, rectangles etc) to create drawings of trees, branches, birds, hands, stacks of cash...tons more.... and includes some holiday art as well as a touch on anime. There are also sketches like a cow's skull and a whimsical skeleton wearing a baseball cap.
Great book for children as well as adults.
February 4, 2022
Provides individual worksheets and step-by-step exercises that ask the student to engage creatively with a lesson plan for drawing. As an adult learner, I enjoyed using the worksheets, each of which built on previous lessons and which broke down complex figures in a way that felt intuitive. I also liked that the book asks the participant to engage creatively if they are comfortable doing so, and therefore felt like it wasn't asking me to copy lessons exactly. It was nice having the reinforcement that having my own "personality" show through my work was a good thing! Still, be aware that if you are an absolute beginner (*cough*like me*cough*), it may take you a while working through lessons before you get to draw the "cool stuff" referenced in the title ;).
While I received a digital copy to review and was able to easily follow along with the lessons, I could see the physical book working well for classrooms or for students who are having trouble. These teachers and students may find it easier to make copies or trace over the drawings in a physical book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Library Tales Publishing for providing an e-arc for review.
While I received a digital copy to review and was able to easily follow along with the lessons, I could see the physical book working well for classrooms or for students who are having trouble. These teachers and students may find it easier to make copies or trace over the drawings in a physical book.
My thanks to NetGalley and Library Tales Publishing for providing an e-arc for review.
January 1, 2016
I have mixed feeling about this book.
A lot of it would be perfect art lessons for 9th through 12th graders. People who have some art already under their belt and are hungry for more. Those are the perfect sections of the book. I've been drawing since I was a tiny child. I'm 43 and I picked up some tips from these sections.
Other parts seems to go from g to z. Here is the basic outline and next step is shaded flushed out perfection. There is a short section teaching shading and texture but not enough for some of the jumps.
If you are someone who loves to draw and would like to try out some new material, this is great book to help.
A lot of it would be perfect art lessons for 9th through 12th graders. People who have some art already under their belt and are hungry for more. Those are the perfect sections of the book. I've been drawing since I was a tiny child. I'm 43 and I picked up some tips from these sections.
Other parts seems to go from g to z. Here is the basic outline and next step is shaded flushed out perfection. There is a short section teaching shading and texture but not enough for some of the jumps.
If you are someone who loves to draw and would like to try out some new material, this is great book to help.
August 26, 2022
As an artist this books is an amazing inspiration. I have reviewed two books, How to Draw Cool Stuff: A Drawing Guide for Teachers and Students and How to Draw Cool Stuff: Shading, Textures and Optical Illusions. The artist has shared materials with perfect techniques for sketches. Each and every step is mentioned thoroughly. Definitely, I would like to give 5 stars to the book. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.
June 27, 2019
This book seems like it's a good book for me, but not so good for drawing practice to improve your drawing skills.
October 2, 2022
I am not an artist, although I do want to be able to do more than just doodle. "How to Draw Cool Stuff" i an excellent resource for teachers and artists alike.
Art theory - topics such as form, shading, and perspective are broken down into simpler, more accessible steps, ideal for use in a classroom. For each topic there are a couple of pages for the theory before allowing the readers to explore the topic more fully in the step by step guides.
These drawing guide or tutorials are broken down into the most basic, basic steps, and as the author suggest, it's best to block out all the following steps and focus only on the one(s) you need to do at a time, to minimise overwhelm (especially when first starting out and your drawing looks nothing like the finished product!)
I would recommend the reader work through the book sequentially, rather than flopping to the thing they want to draw most of all - many of the illustrations build on the theory in previous chapters, and jumping in headlong without that base leads to some of the tasks looking like "draw the rest of the ____ owl". But working through preceding chapters helps alleviate this. So does patience!
~Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~
Art theory - topics such as form, shading, and perspective are broken down into simpler, more accessible steps, ideal for use in a classroom. For each topic there are a couple of pages for the theory before allowing the readers to explore the topic more fully in the step by step guides.
These drawing guide or tutorials are broken down into the most basic, basic steps, and as the author suggest, it's best to block out all the following steps and focus only on the one(s) you need to do at a time, to minimise overwhelm (especially when first starting out and your drawing looks nothing like the finished product!)
I would recommend the reader work through the book sequentially, rather than flopping to the thing they want to draw most of all - many of the illustrations build on the theory in previous chapters, and jumping in headlong without that base leads to some of the tasks looking like "draw the rest of the ____ owl". But working through preceding chapters helps alleviate this. So does patience!
~Many thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~
February 1, 2016
Great for the beginner
This is a wonderful how to draw book. I recommend this for the beginner of any age. It covers so much from perspective to shading and vocabulary. There are some really cool drawing exercises included. You will really learn a lot from this book and actually be able to start drawing well. I borrowed it from the Kindle Lending Library and I loved it so much my husband brought me the print version. I'll update as soon as I get it. I know I'll enjoy it so much more with the print book right beside me as I draw.
This is a wonderful how to draw book. I recommend this for the beginner of any age. It covers so much from perspective to shading and vocabulary. There are some really cool drawing exercises included. You will really learn a lot from this book and actually be able to start drawing well. I borrowed it from the Kindle Lending Library and I loved it so much my husband brought me the print version. I'll update as soon as I get it. I know I'll enjoy it so much more with the print book right beside me as I draw.
February 18, 2015
Awesome
Great book easy to follow with good drawing exercises. Looking forward to improving my craft. Just doing a few exercises in the book so far I have seen an improvement.
Great book easy to follow with good drawing exercises. Looking forward to improving my craft. Just doing a few exercises in the book so far I have seen an improvement.
September 12, 2016
I will return time and again to DO the cool stuff in this book.
September 30, 2017
Some great step by step instruction, but I wish there was more beginner level training on shading.
January 26, 2022
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
How to Draw Cool Stuff is a simplified tutorial drawing guide aimed at young readers by Catherine V. Holmes. Originally published in 2017, this reformat and re-release from Library Tales is 253 pages and is available in hardcover format in this edition, other formats available in other editions. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free, (as are the companion books in the series).
I'm an earnest beginner with drawing, sketching, doodling, and other graphic arts. Although firmly outside the target audience (young student and their facilitators), I found quite a lot of useful information here. The book has an accessible and direct style with information presented in an easy to understand format. Most of the lessons are divided into concepts (know), information (understand), and tutorials (do). Vocabulary and ancillary information are provided in each tutorial segment under their own headings.
The concepts are very simple and the tutorial lessons include blank areas on each page for students to practice and master specific techniques. The tutorials are grouped into thematic chapters: basic elements of design, human faces, perspective, holidays & seasons, animals & creatures, and cool stuff (treasure chest, skeletal pirate, pool of water, etc).
The book is laid out as, and would work very well as, lesson plan hand-outs for workshop or classroom use. This would also be a good choice for adults who spend time with young kids to improve their "draw with me" skills.
Four stars. Very simple but useful for classroom and home use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
How to Draw Cool Stuff is a simplified tutorial drawing guide aimed at young readers by Catherine V. Holmes. Originally published in 2017, this reformat and re-release from Library Tales is 253 pages and is available in hardcover format in this edition, other formats available in other editions. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free, (as are the companion books in the series).
I'm an earnest beginner with drawing, sketching, doodling, and other graphic arts. Although firmly outside the target audience (young student and their facilitators), I found quite a lot of useful information here. The book has an accessible and direct style with information presented in an easy to understand format. Most of the lessons are divided into concepts (know), information (understand), and tutorials (do). Vocabulary and ancillary information are provided in each tutorial segment under their own headings.
The concepts are very simple and the tutorial lessons include blank areas on each page for students to practice and master specific techniques. The tutorials are grouped into thematic chapters: basic elements of design, human faces, perspective, holidays & seasons, animals & creatures, and cool stuff (treasure chest, skeletal pirate, pool of water, etc).
The book is laid out as, and would work very well as, lesson plan hand-outs for workshop or classroom use. This would also be a good choice for adults who spend time with young kids to improve their "draw with me" skills.
Four stars. Very simple but useful for classroom and home use.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 28, 2021
This book is very creative, energizing and full of great drawing ideas which keep your pencil in motion daily.
She is an excellent teacher who really knows her skills and how to make a strong visual impression on paper. Each drawing lesson really has the mind and pencil drawing great things. I personally love drawing eyes, hands and profile portraits which I have utilized her learning techniques which really make a difference on paper sketchpads.
I recommend this book to first-time learners, which is packed full of great drawing projects which any age can use and practice daily.
I loved this book from start to finish, which was amazing with super drawing projects.
She is an excellent teacher who really knows her skills and how to make a strong visual impression on paper. Each drawing lesson really has the mind and pencil drawing great things. I personally love drawing eyes, hands and profile portraits which I have utilized her learning techniques which really make a difference on paper sketchpads.
I recommend this book to first-time learners, which is packed full of great drawing projects which any age can use and practice daily.
I loved this book from start to finish, which was amazing with super drawing projects.
April 11, 2016
Excellent book with
Lots of exercises. Some of the designs are a bit on the creepy side for me, but they're popular, especially in tattoo art. Things like different kinds of skulls. There are also plenty of more of the kinds of things I like to practice drawing, like animals, faces, lettering styles. And there are a vast number of subjects covered in this e-book - SO much more than I've seen in the other e-books I've read on drawing.
This book was a very pleasant surprise, and i recommend it to those new to drawing, or those who want to practice their skills.
Lots of exercises. Some of the designs are a bit on the creepy side for me, but they're popular, especially in tattoo art. Things like different kinds of skulls. There are also plenty of more of the kinds of things I like to practice drawing, like animals, faces, lettering styles. And there are a vast number of subjects covered in this e-book - SO much more than I've seen in the other e-books I've read on drawing.
This book was a very pleasant surprise, and i recommend it to those new to drawing, or those who want to practice their skills.
April 3, 2017
If your interesting in drawing - this is a great book. I liked it a lot. Shows you how to draw features of peoples faces Also how to shade pictures you draw. Different ways of doing letters of the alphabets.
Texture and so much more in detail. I haven't drawn for years and I picked it all back up again with the book. You wont regret getting and reading it. Not much else to say but lots of info and a great book.
Texture and so much more in detail. I haven't drawn for years and I picked it all back up again with the book. You wont regret getting and reading it. Not much else to say but lots of info and a great book.
February 8, 2017
A must for anyone who wants to learn how to draw
This book will show you how to draw, but more than that. It will teach you how to shadow, show fore ground, dimension, etc. The steps are easy to follow and very well drawn.
This book will show you how to draw, but more than that. It will teach you how to shadow, show fore ground, dimension, etc. The steps are easy to follow and very well drawn.
December 1, 2016
Great book! What I learned from reading this book: Overlapping simple shapes can be the first step to creating complex forms. The book goes in such a step by step process for each drawing, that it makes it seem easy to draw.
January 7, 2017
Meh.
I was trying to use this book to help my 9-year-old draw some basic images, but the end products didn't encourage him to want to draw. He said they were all boring. I found them a bit outdated as well.
I was trying to use this book to help my 9-year-old draw some basic images, but the end products didn't encourage him to want to draw. He said they were all boring. I found them a bit outdated as well.
September 5, 2017
How to Draw Cool Stuff: Drawing Guide
Starting with simple shapes and exercises to help you learn the basics of drawing, this book can help take the non-artist into the realm of drawing for fun and relaxation. A very good book for young and old alike.
Starting with simple shapes and exercises to help you learn the basics of drawing, this book can help take the non-artist into the realm of drawing for fun and relaxation. A very good book for young and old alike.
October 22, 2020
CARTOONS - DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY
The book cover and sample promised basic to advanced conceptual art. Looked really interesting. Not unless you are teaching four year olds how to draw cartoons. A real waste of time and money.
The book cover and sample promised basic to advanced conceptual art. Looked really interesting. Not unless you are teaching four year olds how to draw cartoons. A real waste of time and money.
January 6, 2015
Loved it
So great yo it da best yo who knew this was so useful! Oh and I'm gonna make my pal something bye
So great yo it da best yo who knew this was so useful! Oh and I'm gonna make my pal something bye
January 23, 2015
Interesting
Wanted something new for ideas of drawing objects. Would like to zoom to get closer. Awesome details, and instructions. Thank you!
Wanted something new for ideas of drawing objects. Would like to zoom to get closer. Awesome details, and instructions. Thank you!
March 6, 2015
Great information!
June 19, 2015
Good book
Loved it very insightful. very helpful. I will be drawing a lot from this book. My kids will use it as well.
Loved it very insightful. very helpful. I will be drawing a lot from this book. My kids will use it as well.
November 12, 2015
Great book for my son (12), who is now showing an interest in drawing. It's very easy to follow and is packed with information. Looking forward to the next book on shading...
June 4, 2016
LOVE THIS BOOK
I chose this rating because this book is GREAT
I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to draw or learn to draw!!°O°
I chose this rating because this book is GREAT
I would recommend this book to everyone who wants to draw or learn to draw!!°O°
April 8, 2022
*Disclaimer* I received this book free for review purposes, that said I only accept books I think I’ll like because life is too short to read bad books. Now onto the review:
This book is amazing. It’s designed to be a project book for teachers and/or students to learn how to draw many many things. It starts out with a small basics section discussing shapes, lines, shading, etc. Then quickly moves into actual projects to try.
Most projects are two pages. Page one is text that is broken down into 4 sections:
- “Know” covers the important facts you need to know about the current project
- “Understand” covers the concepts connected to the drawing that are important for you to understand
- “Do” covers what it is you should be practicing with the drawing in the section
- “Vocabulary” defines any relevant art terms you need to know and understand for the current drawing
The second page both tells you with text and shows you with pictures what it is you’re drawing. There’s about 3-12 steps per drawing. For me this is a perfect blend of text and pictures, so whichever way you learn best, you’re covered.
There’s a bit of everything here from food to people to buildings, holidays, anime, animals, etc. Since the digital review copies expire, I now own a print version.
This book is amazing. It’s designed to be a project book for teachers and/or students to learn how to draw many many things. It starts out with a small basics section discussing shapes, lines, shading, etc. Then quickly moves into actual projects to try.
Most projects are two pages. Page one is text that is broken down into 4 sections:
- “Know” covers the important facts you need to know about the current project
- “Understand” covers the concepts connected to the drawing that are important for you to understand
- “Do” covers what it is you should be practicing with the drawing in the section
- “Vocabulary” defines any relevant art terms you need to know and understand for the current drawing
The second page both tells you with text and shows you with pictures what it is you’re drawing. There’s about 3-12 steps per drawing. For me this is a perfect blend of text and pictures, so whichever way you learn best, you’re covered.
There’s a bit of everything here from food to people to buildings, holidays, anime, animals, etc. Since the digital review copies expire, I now own a print version.
February 8, 2023
My Quick Thoughts: This is an amazing resource with so much to offer for artists at all levels: from the beginner to the serious artist. While some of the things might prove to be challenging for young children, I also feel that this is a book we can grow with as an artist, and do more with each time we attempt the same drawing or move on to something more challenging or new for us in the book.
Holmes makes this so much more than just a step-by-step how-to-draw with additional information on learning art itself. A know-understand-do section alongside each art project helps students know the basics and understand the concepts used in that before they apply the skills and do the artwork themselves. In addition, a vocabulary guide is provided for projects that is super helpful too.
Disclaimer: I got a digital review copy of this books from Netgalley originally and these are my honest opinions of the book. Please note that the review is based on a more recent reading of the book (library/personal copy)
Holmes makes this so much more than just a step-by-step how-to-draw with additional information on learning art itself. A know-understand-do section alongside each art project helps students know the basics and understand the concepts used in that before they apply the skills and do the artwork themselves. In addition, a vocabulary guide is provided for projects that is super helpful too.
Disclaimer: I got a digital review copy of this books from Netgalley originally and these are my honest opinions of the book. Please note that the review is based on a more recent reading of the book (library/personal copy)
March 19, 2021
*Excellent* textbook for already-talented artists of age probably 10 and up. This is not a step-by-step instruction book to draw a bird, a bowl of fruit, etc (what you used to see in the newspaper, showing line by line how to draw something). There are a couple of those that my 10yo child did, but it is truly a textbook with examples for you to practice, over and over, in a scratch pad (there is limited workspace in the book itself, it is not a workbook).
So if you're looking for step-by-step instructions, this only has a bit of that. It does, however, go over general techniques like shading, perspective, etc, and when it teaches those lessons (very sparsely, text is limited in this book, my major complaint) there is usually a simple exercise that is the closest to "step by step" drawing.
So if you're looking for step-by-step instructions, this only has a bit of that. It does, however, go over general techniques like shading, perspective, etc, and when it teaches those lessons (very sparsely, text is limited in this book, my major complaint) there is usually a simple exercise that is the closest to "step by step" drawing.
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