15-Minute Drawing: Getting Started Review & GIVEAWAY

Short on time? This is 15-Minute Drawing: Getting Started: From sketch to finished drawing in just 15 minutes! by Erin McManness. She is the founder of Paper Raven Co. a stationery and illustration brand based in Atlanta. Her book features more than 30 step-by-step beginner drawing exercises. She shows you how to break objects down into simple shapes and then add detail. The projects are grouped by subject. Sketch everything from leaves and flowers, animals and insects, city buildings, and everyday life. Think of this workbook as a personal art journal. There is space to practice the prompts, tutorials, and exercises found throughout. Add a sketchbook if you like. You will need a graphite pencil. Discover some tools and materials you might like to experiment with - Erin shares her favorites. She shows you how to warm up by test-swatching your supplies. This is followed by some basic drawing techniques. Check out ways to add color, borders, corner accents, banners, and hand lettering to your journal. Examine common layouts (central, wide, border, and lettering) and how to achieve them. By experimenting with drawing supplies, techniques, and subject matter you'll develop your skills and style. Use this fun book to help you establish a regular art practice in 15 minutes. It's just the right size 16.64 x 23.5 cm (6.55 x 9.25 inches), large enough to comfortably draw in yet small enough to keep with you for easy access. Plus you'll have a record of and be able to track your progress. It's a great book for beginning artists. See excerpts and the complete table of contents below. Walter Foster Publishing released this 112-page paperback on May 3, 2022. Get your copy below!

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Drawing Techniques

Lettering Techniques

Creating a Beautiful Layout

Leaves & Flowers

City Buildings

Animals & Insects

Everyday Life

About the Artist

Drawing should be fun!

Drawing Techniques

Leaves & Flowers

We’ll break down different types of flowers, plants, and leaves to their basic shapes; then we’ll discuss how to visually organize them to create stunning floral compositions and illustrative accents. For practice, I highly suggest looking up reference photos to study different petal and leaf shapes—better yet, go out into your neighborhood or park for some life observation!

City Buildings

We’ll explore different types of architecture, iconic landmarks, signage, and scenes from city life. For these types of drawings, I recommend gathering good reference photos, as well as a ruler, pencil, and pen. Many of these drawings start with a penciled geometric base, to which we’ll add details. As you practice these examples, remember that the keys to drawing architecture are symmetry, space, and simplification.

Everyday Life

We’ll take a look at many everyday objects that you can find around your own home. We’ll learn how to break down complex objects into simple shapes and add convincing details. I recommend gathering a few objects that you own to practice with!

Complex Florals.

Prickly Pear.

The Quarto Group has generously offered to giveaway a copy! One winner will be selected at random. Open until September 7, 2022. Canadian and USA addresses only. Good luck!

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