Description
Book SynopsisFoundations of Drawing is a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the history, aesthetics, methods and materials of the drawing medium. Clearly defined demonstrations provide easy access to the practice of drawing as well as the history and development of core drawing techniques.
Trade ReviewArtists and Illustrators Magazine: Book of the Month
"A solid understanding of drawing is a must for artists and books introducing the basics abound, but Gury’s latest goes several steps further. In its pages you will find an overview of drawing as an art form covering its history, materials and key techniques. And, alongside step-by-step demonstrations, there are reproductions of the finest master drawings from the 15th century to the present."
—Artists and Illustrators Magazine"Al Gury has taken a lifetime of experience as an artist and teacher, and distilled it into an engaging exploration of drawing from every possible perspective.
Foundations of Drawing takes the reader from the personal to the historical, from techniques to the aesthetic, and then ties it all together with in-depth drawing demonstrations. This book is the perfect companion for anyone interested in understanding drawing from A to Z."
—Ross Lance Mitchell, Director of Barnes-de Mazia Education and OutreachTable of ContentsCONTENTS Introduction 4 What Is Drawing? 4
Anyone Can Learn to Draw 8
“Why Can’t I Draw a Straight Line?” 8
1 Essential History of Drawing 11 Beginnings in Prehistory 12
The Ancient World 14
The Medieval World 15
The Renaissance 17
The Baroque 20
The Nineteenth Century 21
Beginnings of the Modern Era 26
The Modern World 29
Contemporary Growth and Challenges 33
Today 35
2 Essential Drawing Materials 37 Drawing Mediums 38
Drawing Tools 68
Paper 74
The Drawing Studio—Furniture and Equipment 81
Storage, Presentation, and Conservation of Drawings 84
3 Essential Drawing Skills 87 Holding Drawing Tools 88
Measuring 90
Blending and Erasing 95
Methods of Drawing 95
Types of Line 101
Hatching and Other Descriptive Marks 106
Shape 108
Depth and Perspective 113
Closed versus Open Form 118
Planes 122
Tonality, Light, and Shade 122
Texture 128
Composition and the Compositional Frame 128
4 Essential Aesthetics in Drawing 149 Classicism 152
Realism 153
Abstraction 154
Expressionism 158
5 Essential Drawing Demonstrations 161 Drawing Still Lifes 163
Drawing Interiors and Architecture 174
Drawing Portraits 182
Drawing the Human Figure 191
