The Insect Artist: How to Observe, Draw, and Paint Butterflies, Bees, and More

by Stacey Zebith Thalden

The Insect Artist offers a complete course in illustration and lifelike artwork.

The 15 projects are designed to build on one another, beginning with techniques that strengthen drawing and acrylic painting skills. More advanced projects focus on design principals, realistic environments, and creative challenges. Clear instructions and visual demonstrations describe each step of the process and reference photos show the anatomy and coloration of each insect. Short outdoor exercises are included as lessons on actively observing the nature. This is a book for artists of all levels and anyone interested in rediscovering the natural world through artistic expression.


Packed with creative tips:* Achieve rich colours, surface textures, and spatial depth
* Measure proportions accurately
* Simplify tricky forms and patterns
* Establish an inspiring and supportive art practice

"Art and science collide beautifully in this must-have book for insect and nature lovers everywhere... Prepare to be amazed at the artworks you create!" -Lila Higgins, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, co-author of Wild LA

• ISBN10: 1604697962
• ISBN13: 9781604697964
• Publish Date: 14 March 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Timber Press
• Format: Paperback (UK Trade)
• Pages: 344
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

The Insect Artist: How to Observe, Draw, and Paint Butterflies, Bees, and More is a new tutorial guide with additional activities by Zebith Thalden. Due out 12th March 2024 from Hachette on their Timber Press imprint, it's 344 pages and format information is unclear from the publisher's data at the current time; but at least paperback and ebook formats will be included.

This is a very well written and beautifully illustrated guide to gaining skill and familiarity with surface rendering, shading, concept, linework, and finishing, all as they relate to realistic natural and insect subjects. The tutorials are written accessibly and encouragingly and include a wonderful amount of clarity from the author's viewpoint about creative process, design, and important lessons about subject choice, inspiration, shading, materials, and knowing when to stop overworking a project.

There are many tutorials included which utilize basic techniques such as geometric base shape sketching, blocking, shading, base working with colored pencils, blocking with dilute acrylics, and finishing by overlaying colored pencil for detail and line/shading. The drawing tutorials are species specific and tutorials include a base palette, materials and supplies, and very detailed photographic step by step procedure.

Although it's written one-on-one for home study use, this would be a great choice for public or school library acquisition, maker's groups, artist studio reference library, and gift-giving (perhaps bundled with some supplies).

Five stars. Well made and engaging.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.