Realistic Still Life in Colored Pencil (Realistic)

by Cynthia Knox

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: my link text.

Realistic Still Life in Colored Pencil is a tutorial guide to still life techniques using pencil as a medium. Due out 7th July 2020 from Quarto on their Walter Foster imprint, it's 144 pages and will be available in paperback format.

The layout follows the familiar Walter Foster tutorial format. An introduction covers tools and supplies and is followed by a short and easily accessible general drawing tutorial and an introduction to color theory and composition. There's a good subchapter on blending, texture strokes, and pencil techniques as well as a short intro on how to compose a drawing and developing forms.

Each of the chapters includes several start to finish projects illustrating the concepts and techniques from the chapter. The 5 complete tutorials are grouped together in the last half of the book: poppies, peaches, macarons, sunflowers, and meringues. Each tutorial includes a color photo, line drawing, palette with specific pencil colors, and step by step process photos. Tips and troubleshooting info are highlighted in sidebars throughout.

This is a solid book full of good techniques and will provide some useful takeaways for the majority of readers/artists. This entire series is worthwhile and will be a valuable addition to the artist's home library.

Four stars.

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