Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Learn to Draw in 5 Weeks is a very well written and attractively formatted tutorial guide by KritzelPixel. Originally released in German in 2020, this English language translation from Penguin Random House on their Zeitgeist imprint is 96 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats. It makes finding info much easier later.
This is a useful book full of prompts and exercises for improving drawing techniques set up in a workbook type format. The writing is encouraging and reassuring. It's set up in chapters week-by-week, with exercises which aim to improve: fine motor skills, dimension, shapes, shadows, and craft. The author illustrates with simple lessons throughout which most readers will be able to easily recreate in their own sketchbooks.
Four and a half stars. The illustrations are simple and in black & white / greyscale throughout. Recommended for school or public library collections, activity/maker's group studios, home artists, as well as a potential resource for more formal classroom instruction.
The translation work is entirely seamless and it doesn't read as though it had been translated. The text is in 1st person and is direct and easy to understand. The instruction reminds me of the one-on-one tutelage you receive from a well run workshop class.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Reviewed by annieb123 on
Reading updates
- 11 July, 2023: Started reading
- 11 July, 2023: Finished reading
- 11 July, 2023: Reviewed