{PRETITLE} Laws Guide to Drawing Birds, The {POSTTITLE}

Rating: (68 reviews)
Author: John Muir Laws
ISBN : 159714195X
New from $12.83
Format: PDF

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Called a ''modern Audubon'' by the Washington Post, renowned artist and naturalist John Muir Laws brings us this full-color how-to guide to drawing birds. Laws's book, with an illuminating foreword by beloved ornithologist David Sibley, is devoted not only to art but also to the lives, forms, and postures of the birds themselves. It intertwines artistic technique and the exquisite details of natural history, and drawing becomes the vehicle for seeing.

As Laws writes, ''To draw feathers, you must understand how feathers grow, overlap, and insert into the body. To create the body, you must have an understanding of the bird's skeletal structure. To pose this skeleton, you must be able to perceive the energy, intention, and life of the bird.''

This inspiring guide will enhance the skills of serious artists but also, perhaps more importantly, it will provide help for those who insist they can't draw. Leading the mind and hand through a series of detailed exercises, Laws delivers what he promises: ''drawing birds opens you to the beauty of the world.''

An Audubon Book

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• Product Details
• Table of Contents
• Reviews

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Heyday; First Edition edition (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159714195X
• ISBN-13: 978-1597141956
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 8.3 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

{PRETITLE} Laws Guide to Drawing Birds, The {POSTTITLE}

I will try to keep the superlatives under control, but it really is difficult to do when I come across such a well thought out, thoroughly practical book.

That is not a typical reaction for me, since I sometimes feel like a grumpy old man when it comes to art instruction books. Admittedly, It can be hard to justify that attitude since, without question, the number of high-quality instructional books for artists has increased dramatically in the last fifteen years or so, and the situation is better now than at any point in my lifetime. Also, excellence is by definition rare, and so it's not fair to judge all books in relation to the exceptional few. Nonetheless, I frequently come across instructional books by accomplished artists that, in spite of some useful material, somehow seem wrong to me. I can't tell whether its cynicism on the part of the part of the publisher, or just a lack of thought about what an artist really needs in a book. Whatever it is, many seem like the marketing team had more say in their production than anyone else. Lots of big glossy photos (far beyond what is needed to get the point across) lots of blank space in the pages, thin instruction in a haphazard format, etc..

Laws Guide to Drawing birds is just the opposite.

There is little or no eye candy: The illustrations, while plentiful and skillful, are relevant and take up just enough space to do the job well. The level of finish in the drawings and paintings is appropriate to the kind of book it is. A lot of naturalist "sketchbooks" and how-to books on field sketching show works that are far too finished to be genuine sketches or studies. None of that here. The sequenced progressions are well thought out, with no sudden or mysterious leaps of detail and refinement in the sequences.

When I saw news of this book earlier this year, I eagerly awaited the September release date. I am a middle-aged birder/photographer who a couple of years ago decided to tackle the challenge of watercolor painting. I always had a desire to connect with my artistic side, as it was never encouraged in my earlier years. Tackling this task was rather intimidating, to say the least so I signed up for a watercolor class and of course, realized my tactical error right away - it would have been enormously helpful to know how to draw first before trying to paint! I have been stumbling along ever since with minimal success. I still take the class and love it but I can't get past the rookie level without improving those basic drawing skills.

Since my other hobbies revolve around birds, painting them is the natural focus for my artistic endeavors. I had already purchased most of the instructional books for drawing birds on the market but none ever seemed to connect with me. What I needed was instruction in the absolute basics, teaching a solid approach with a multitude of details. This book provides all that and in a friendly, unintimidating manner that with every page assures me "Yes, you can do this!"

I can say in all honesty, The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds exceeded all my expectations. I've had the book for only about a month and from the start, the improvement in my drawing skills was noticeable. From the moment I lifted the cover, I have been inspired and motivated to practice and master each lesson. The "Step by Step" exercises are just that, with illustrations that lead you through every stroke of the pencil to instill basic understanding and confidence.