February 2018



Quick results guides stand or fall almost entirely on whether the reader can engage with the general idea and finds the wok produced something worth emulating. A quick glance at either of these titles gives an impression of a wealth of material and a lot of ideas for your money. It also turns out that the idea is not so much to produce a complete drawing in the headline timescale as to work in bite-size chunks that are easy to absorb. Thus you have simple lessons that look at single topics such as fur and texture, anatomy, movement, trees, light and simplification. Each of these is handled in a single spread and a includes a series of tips, hints and examples that are all easy to follow. A standard format makes for easy comprehension. These are books that, while being excellent for the beginner, will also work for a more experienced artist. * The Artist * Animals are prime candidates for quick working. Rarely still and often found in less than ideal places, the ability to grab a quick sketch while they're visible, or at least reasonably still, is a useful skill.



This new series carries great promise and the ideas and techniques here do it full justice. There's plenty of information and variety, with something for everyone. If I have a reservation, it's that the execution perhaps leaves a little to be desired, but there's nothing wrong with the ideas and you'll find plenty to keep you occupied. * Artbookreview.net * If finding time for drawing is difficult this new series of 5 minute sketching books will be just the thing. 5-Minute Sketching Animals & Pets by Gary Geraths is similarly inspiring (to the 5 Minute Sketching: Landscapes), packed full of colourful drawings to encourage you to have the confidence to get sketching. "Study your subjects, gather up your pencils and paints and get out sketching as soon as possible to enjoy the whol amazing experience" writes Gary in his introduction. This practical guide shows you how, with 60 exercises to help you sketch animals in just five minutes. The four chapters include Materials and Basic Methods; Pulling the Pieces Together, Fleshing Out Your Sketch; and Materials and Techniques, each with subdivided bite-sized exercises to give confidence and get you sketching regularly. Packed full with useful tips and ideas, the five-minute sketching guides offer invaluable information on sketching with inspiring and lively presentation. * The Leisure Painter *