As a part time art teacher I am always on the hunt for great how-to-draw books, a useful activity to have on hand for your early finishers. At home, these work great -for both adults and kids alike- when it′s time to let go of the electronic devices. Try them out in a doodle afternoon!
How to Draw Almost Every Animal – An Illustrated Sourceboo by Chika Miyata
What I loved most about this book was its sheer confidence in squiggles: you can draw almost every animal if you focus on the squiggles coming out of a colorful, soft pencil.
75 animals are available to doodle in this book, focusing on different poses, species, ages, and natural habitats. The nice soft touch Miyata gives her characters inspires confidence, and is great to apply on a visit to your local zoo.
Chika Miyata is a Japanese illustrator with no social media presence; her books speak volumes about her!
How to Draw Almost Every Animal – is available since September 1st, 2017.
Publisher: Quarry Books
Trade Paperback 129 Pages
ISBN: 9781631593765
Up next, this more recent book focuses on markers instead of coloring pencils:
Sweet Drawing by Olga Ortiz (Author)
The kawaii style of these illustrations has a particular characteristic: soft edges and wide, fluffy bottoms for animals, facial expressions in foodstuffs, and several things rendered first in blue pencil (easier to erase without smudging) and then painted with markers.
Simple lines and shapes are the base for this more advanced how-to-draw book, and the tips to add color make it a more complete guide to achieve nice, cute, easy illustrations of everyday items.
Olga Ortiz is a Spanish illustrator and graphic designer. Follow her on her Instagram: @olguioo.
Sweet Drawing is available since October 24, 2023
Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing
Pages: Paperback 128 Pages
ISBN: 9780760385333
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