Reviewed by annieb123 on
Show-How Guides: Drawing Animals is a fun tutorial guide for all-ages (mostly aimed at younger artists) by Keith Zoo. Due out 31st Aug 2021 from Macmillan on their Odd Dot imprint, it's 48 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.
This is a short, energetic, and encouraging guide with lots of punchy colorful graphics and simple step-by-step tutorials.The lessons are "narrated" in humorous panels by a variety of animals and an anthropomorphic dot (wearing an outback hat, no less).
The book's lessons cover tools and supplies, shading, texture, detail, space (foreground/mid/and background) in simple line drawn panels with easy to read captions. The chapters with the actual tutorials for animals follow the same general format - a simple line drawn shape is followed step by step with added lines and refinements in a different color, leading to a finished drawing. The animals are fun and humorous with cute faces and accessories (the cat's nonplussed facial expression is worth the price of admission by itself). All of the info here is appropriate for all ages, beginner accessible, and fun. It's slanted toward younger readers, but would also be a good choice for adults, caregivers, teachers, and others who work with kids who are trying to up their game for drawing/coloring time.
This would make a great selection for public or school library acquisition, home use, or gift giving (perhaps bundled with some basic drawing supplies).
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 14 August, 2021: Finished reading
- 14 August, 2021: Reviewed