Drawing Bible

by Marilyn Scott

Published 1 April 2005

The first implement that springs to mind in the context of drawing is the humble pencil. This is a highly versatile tool, and ideal for quick sketches, but there are many other exciting drawing media, from charcoal, Indian ink, and conte for monochrome work, to vast ranges of coloured pencils, pastels and coloured inks for more "painterly" effects.


Acrylic is used by many well-known professional artists, but is rather less popular with amateurs. This is surprising, because acrylic is not only the most versatile of all the painting media, but is also highly forgiving. You can paint out mistakes as you work, even making major changes to the colour scheme and composition, so that each new painting can become a springboard for ideas. And the range of different effects you can achieve is vast - if you try out some of the exciting techniques and projects in this book you may find yourself falling in love with the medium.


Watercolour is a wonderful medium, but it does sometimes seem to have a "mind of its own," refusing to do quite what is required. The keys to success are good planning, constant practice and a thorough understanding of your materials, so if you are new to painting, start by trying out some of the techniques and projects in this book as well as experimenting with different colour mixes and types of paper.