Recommend some good drawing books

[James]

Meaning, books that teach you how to draw. And it would probably help if you could link to the Amazon page where the book could be bought from.

[Spectre X]

Well, Andrew Loomis is always good.

There you go. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search/104-1832768-4515155?search-type=ss&tag=saveloomisorg-20&keyword=andrew%20loomis&mode=books)

[James]

Sorry, I meant "Amazon page where the book could be bought from" as in "Page where the book is available from Amazon for a reasonable price. Not "Independant sellers offering their shit-scented and page-worn copies for $400."

[Emu]

What do you want to know how to draw, specifically? People, animals, cars?

[CheapAlert]

http://www.fineart.sk hosts a neat loomis book (WARNING NSFW: BOOBIES EVERYWHERE AND SUCH!!!!1)

[MLE]

i know if a great book called drawing on the right side of the brain. it teaches on the principle that art is a learned thing and only sometimes innately understood but a person, but it can be taught to anyone.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0874774241/qid=1138566602/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-8517801-2297458?n=507846&s=books&v=glance

there are new ones from 11.51 and used from 9.00 something.



a personal note on the book. this was recommended by my high school art teacher. he was the best art teacher i ever had. i got the book after i graduated HS, and the book still helped me further my skills. The book is meant for people with no art skills yet, and it helps teach you how to look at things properly in order to draw them.

EDIT: this is not a manga book or a book on 'step-by-step instructions on drawing specific objects.

[James]

Yeah, I actually have the unofficial sequel to this book. It seemed OK, but it's been a long time since I looked at it. I remember being a bit bored by it though.

[MLE]

you don't read the whole thing. you just skim to get the main points and practice. if you're having trouble with something, then you really read it

[Ninjavenom]

I have that one too, though i haven't read it, despite having read some 20-30 other books about the subject. Most them all said the same fucking things, but most of it just boils down to practice.

[MLE]

well, learning to see things for what they are instead of what you think they should look like is the biggest thing you can learn, but you really have to fully realize it.

[James]

but most of it just boils down to practice.

Spoken like a true idiot who sucks at art. >:

Really, practice can only get you so far, but there is a science to art, and how certain things should be done. Through practice, you're not really going to discover "My word! An average human male figure should be 7 head sizes tall!" You know what I mean?

And if you're trying to draw just from your head, and not by looking at something, there are concepts you need to know to make sure you work comes out looking right. Especially something like dynamic or action pieces.

[maggiekarp]

Guided practice.

You can't just draw all the time out of your head, nor can you just study aspects of art without practicing. Both are essential for good art!

[MLE]

james, there's something you said that really caught me. i know of a website with a great guide... hold on let me see if i can find it.

[MLE]

Hey i found it!

http://www.itchstudios.com/psg/art_tut.htm

this was recommended to me by helm when he realized that i didn't really show knowledge of some of these topics. it's helped me out a lot, and it's free!