Friday, July 05, 2013

The Art of a Sketchbook - Friday

Charles Reid on contour drawing ...

I first learned how to contour draw from a Charles Reid's book and today I thought I would share with you one of Charles Reid's many books. 


I believe most of his books have a section on contour drawing but the basics in this book are probably my favorite. 

The Natural Way to Paint Rendering the Figure in Watercolor Simply and Beautifully by Charles Reid starts out with a full chapter on contour and gesture drawing. 



Although this book is about figure painting and drawing the first 20 pages talks about contour drawing. He tells us that contour drawing helps us see and concentrate.


He takes us step by step on how he starts his contour drawing, where he starts drawing on the page and how he finishes using the rest of the page ...


If you are not into watercolor and not interested in buying a book that focuses on watercolor maybe you can see if you local library has a copy you can borrow.

Hope you have a great week sketching ....

7 comments:

  1. Looks like a beautiful book!!

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  2. Hi Nancy. This is a book on my studio bookshelf. Might be time to pull it out and look at it again. Thanks for the reminder.

    I thought of you last week when we drove around on Harstine Island. We drove over the bridge to Jarrell Cove Marine Park for a peek at what it looks like from the land-view. Pretty island. Lots of trees on either side of the road, with breaks for driveways and the occasional jaw-dropping view of the water. Beautiful spot to call home!

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  3. Love this painter! The contour drawing lends so much spontaneity to watercolor. The two compliment each other.

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  4. Love finding out about new books!!! thanks for the review!

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  5. Thank you Donna. Charles Reid has a wonderful relaxed way of painting in watercolors. I love reading his books.

    Katherine, hope you do re-visit Charles book. Always fun to see his casual style. Shhhhhh don't tell a soul about our island or else everyone will want to move here, lol. Yes, we love the island. Its pretty quiet around here especially with no retail stores ... but on the other hand its over a half hour away from Safeway or Fred Meyers to buy milk etc.

    So glad to hear you enjoy Charles Reid also Julienne. I think his style is so appealing and fun.

    You are welcome Maria.

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  6. I'm not familiar with this book, Nancy. I do have a few of his books, but missed this one. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. I'll have to ask Julie if he has this book(so I can borrow it!).

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