Description
Book SynopsisDrawing the Natural World is a practical and comprehensive guide for artists of all abilities to celebrate through art the beauty of the flora and fauna that make up our planet.
The book is divided into the fundamental concepts of art – colour and tone, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space – to introduce the essential techniques and demonstrate how they can be used in drawing the natural world through practical projects. Further chapters cover the anatomy of animals to ensure posture and gait can be accurately captured, and the fundamentals of composition. There is also introduction to the different materials and equipment that can be used, and a guide to basics of drawing.
Each of the projects in the book includes a fully illustrated step-by-step sequence to follow, plus helpful tips and advice. There’s also background information about the featured animals and plants to broaden the reader’s awareness of and connection with the natural world.
This comprehensive guide is for all abilities, whether they haven’t drawn for years or decades or are an experienced artist looking for fresh inspiration.
- Accessible book that will inspire wonder at the natural world and help to understand the critical roles that animals and plants play in life
- Packed full of the author’s beautiful, inspirational drawings
- The book includes chapters dealing with colour and tone, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space, aligning it with the national curriculum
- Features easy-to-follow step-by-step tutorials and a host of tips and techniques that will quickly improve the reader’s observational and drawing skills
- Subjects are studied from a wide variety of angles and postures as well as in movement
- Will appeal to all abilities and ages
- Crammed full of information - blends natural history and science with art
Trade ReviewStep into the wonderful world of art with Drawing the Natural World by Tim Pond. Whether you're an inspired beginner or a seasoned artist, this comprehensive guide offers fresh inspiration. Each stroke of your pencil is as unique as your handwriting. Pond’s focus on fundamental concepts such as proportion, contour, gesture, weight and structure opens the door to seeing the natural world with new eyes. Discover joy in drawing while exploring colour, detail, pattern, and texture. Step-by-step demonstrations and friendly expert advice will boost your confidence and grow your skills. Dive into creativity and self-expression with every line you draw.
* Artists & Illustrators magazine *
Divided into concepts of colour and tone, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space, Tim clearly describes each technique and sets practical step-by-step projects to work through. His work is beautifully reproduced throughout and background information about the featured animals and plants are included to broaden the reader’s awareness of the natural world. This is a book to immerse yourself in and learn from to discover your own relationship with nature.
* Leisure Painter magazine *
[Tim Pond] gives the impression of a man completely on top of his subject and able to marshal and explain a wealth of material both concisely and coherently at the same time, which is no mean feat.
What marks the book out from other titles on natural history is the way Tim interweaves subjects and techniques, so that you may find yourself drawing ungulates in a section on three-quarter views. ...this is a thoroughly comprehensive guide.
-- Henry Malt * The Artist *
Profusely illustrated with an informative commentary and step-by-step instructions, "Drawing the Natural World" is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it a welcome, instructive, and highly recommended pick for personal, professional, community library and art school Drawing/Painting instruction collections
* Mid-West Book Review *
Artistically, Tim has an economy of line that betokens both confidence and an innate understanding of both subject and working methods. It also adds a simplicity of explanation which adds to the appeal of the book. Tim is an engaging artist and writer who presents his work both simply and comprehensibly.
-- Henry Malt * Artbook Review *
Table of ContentsIntroduction
Materials
Getting Started: Dynamic Drawing
Study Sheets
Chapter 1: Anatomy
Anatomy Essentials: Tetrapods
Posture and Gait
Front Legs
Rear Legs
Anatomy Essentials: Birds
Anatomy Essentials: Insects
Chapter 2: Line
Line Essentials
Contour Drawing
Descriptive Lines
Construction Lines
Chapter 3: Shape
Shape Essentials
Negative and Positive Space
Sight-size Drawing
Comparative Measuring
Drawing Giant Animals
Gesture Drawing
Animal Portraits
Chapter 4: Tone
Tone Essentials
Lighting and Shadows
Using Mid-tone Paper
Chiaroscuro
Sculptured Drawing
Chapter 5: Form
Form Essentials
Planar Analysis
Glass Animals
Three-quarter Views
Creating Roundness
Perceived Volume
Linear Modelling
Chapter 6: Colour
Colour Theory
Colour Mixing
Holly in Ink
Apples in Colouring Pencils
Capturing Light in Pastels
Tropical Fish in Watercolours
Chapter 7: Space
Space Essentials
Linear Perspective
Atmospheric Perspective
Foreshortening
Reclining Poses
Looking Through
Chapter 8: Pattern and Texture
Pattern and Texture Essentials
Contrasting Textures
Stripes
Scales
Hair and Wool
Plumes
Chapter 9: Composition
Composition Essentials
Rule of Thirds
Focal Points
Index
