Rating: 
Summary: The very Best
Review: I reviewed this book earlier, after only a month into working with it. Now I've been at it about 7 months, which, for me, means I'm a little over 1/2 way through. I'm so thankful to have found this book at the beginning of my learning to draw. I also take a drawing class where there are live models to work from. In truth, I only take to class for the opportunity to work from a living form, because this book is my true instructor. And it is the best instruction in the art of seeing and learning that can be imagined. I compare my work with others in my class who have been working far longer and I feel sorry for them. I feel like working this book has got me moving at warp speed. I showed it to another class member and he said, "you're serious about this, aren't you?" If you really want to learn how to see and how to draw, use this book and stick to it. It will pay off. I can see a face now and truly draw it. And I can draw it almost as well if I use what I've learned from the memory exercises and draw it tommorrow.
Rating:
Summary: the real deal
Review: i started practicing with the first few excercises in this book years ago, and still think of it. it was enormously instructive even with my very modest attempts. a series of excercises that build on one another, and focus on doing the drawing (you're supposed to go draw, man, anywhere, anything) rather than some result. the simple lessons teach you to see. they can be quite demanding if you put your heart in it, though any time whatsoever spent doing these excercises is instructive, if only to help you see the work of others. wonderful book...
Rating: 
Summary: A rather hard approach to "the natural way"
Review: If you are aiming at drawing becoming the main activity in your life, then this may well be a book for you. Nicolaides takes his time to gradually introduce you to all the secrets and mechanics of drawing. He prepared nothing less than 64 drawing exercises arranged into 25 15-hour lessons, an equivalent of a whole year study at his Art Students' League somewhere in 1930s.
For me drawing has always been more of a fun then a hard work. It must be for this reason that the book was a slight disappointment for me. I find its title slightly misleading: a natural way of doing something must surely be more spontaneous. I also expected more of master-level drawings hinting at what one could possibly achieve with such a laborious approach. However, the selection of pictures is limited to illustrating the text.
On the other hand, I am glad I bought the book. If drawing is the basis of fine art, then Nicolaides has his place in an artist's library.
Rating:
Summary: I hate writing long reviews...
Review: If you want to learn the art of drawing from a master, get this book.
Its as simple as that!
Rating:
Summary: What you may need to know.
Review: In order to help you decide whether or not to buy this book, I will try to make clear what the conflicting reviews mean. Actually, they are all right (in my opinion). Which side you take depends on the method of learning you prefer. If you want a quick, "no brainer crash course" that will get you up and drawing ASAP, then use first "The (New) Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. The exercises in that book can be completed in less than a week; by then, you should be able to draw impressive lifelike portraits. Now, let me warn you: Ms. Edwards' book teaches you how to COPY (draw) WHAT YOU SEE just as your eyes see it. You won't learn to draw from nothing; you will need a photograph or model to work from. Simply put: you will learn to copy whatever you look at. Now, if after that, you find yourself wanting for more-- that is, you want to learn and do more -- then get this book by Nicolaides. This is a serious instruction manual that requires a lot of your time and energy. Using it is just like being in art class. You have to follow 25 schedules amounting to 15 hours of drawing each, and in all you will use more than 60 exercises. Each chapter builds on the previous ones, so it is necessary to do all of them in order, for as long as directed. This will take 6-24 months to "finish", assuming the student draws 1-6 hours a day. Does that sound too much for you? If so, don't feel bad. This book turned me off, too, when I first opened it. It does take a lot of work; I understand why some people are disappointed by it. But if you keep up with it, you will definitely see the results at around Schedule 13. Several chapters after that, I found myself experimenting with all the drawing exercises I'd learned (Nicolaides, Edwards', Pogany's, etc.) to make the drawings I wanted. I also use computer programs that Nicolaides never even dreamed of. That -- learning to combine and/or make your own drawings and nost just plain copying -- is what puts Nicoliades' book at a different class from Edwards'. That, and learning to experience the model in the natural, if old-fashioned, way. So, my advice is go first for Betty Edwards or maybe "Drawing For Teens"(?) recommended below by an earlier review. If you want more than that, then come back here and get "The Natural Way to Draw". It might bore you at first, and that is nothing to be ashamed of. But give it the effort it deserves and you will know why this book has been called "not only the best how-to book on drawing, it is the best how-to book we've seen on any subject."
Rating:
Summary: Simply a Masterpiece
Review: Kimon Nicolaides' book shines so brightly amid the darkness of todays reality of fluf, quick-fixes, and superficiality. This book exemplifies what perfection is all about and, as such, can serve as a guide on how to sincerely enrich our lives.
Rating:
Summary: Best art instruction book ever written
Review: Personally I've had this book recommended by Shamus Culhane in his book "ANIMATION from script to screen". The late former Disney artist and animation director claimed that he trained with this book for years. Also the great Warner Bros. director Chuck Jones(Bugs Bunny) trained his skills with this book. When I worked at Steven Spielberg's animation company AMBLIMATION our Life Drawing class was based on this book. In other words even the best artists train with this book. It is however aimed at the serious artist and not a "Learn to draw in 30 days book." Drawing is a vicious circle anyway; the better you get, the more you realize how much you still need to learn and you never finish learning. This is one of those books that accompany you for the rest of your life.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing book.
Review: So many books I have purchased approach drawing from an academic viewpoint. I felt that such books were a waste for me as they made drawing and art something foreign and beyond my reach and comprehension. One book in particular by a very famous artist asked that the student copy his drawings and asserted that drawing was something learned by contagion, by diving in. But what happened to me was complete learning failure as I simply couldn't get beyond the complex forms, and the overwhelming feeling that I was drowning in detail and a lack of understanding. Nicolaides' book, however, teaches one bit by bit. It brings out the artist that lives intrinsically within each individual and teaches one how to actually SEE a form and capture it. In just a few days of beginning the exercises, I drew my hand almost without looking at the paper and it was an incredible experience. It was very tactile and exciting as I sat calmly and renedered my hand in a very natural and familiar way. It was like my mind merged with my hand and I knew it. I could express it. My drawing, incidentally, turned out very well and impressive. It may sound strange to others, but I guarantee that this book is titled very appropriately and will teach anyone how to draw from within with an intense curiosity and desire to feel out forms.
Rating:
Summary: If you can only buy one art book, buy this!
Review: The book was published posthumously in 1941 by Nicolaides' students. Their ferver for their late revered teacher is evident in the manner in which the book is written. They developed a rigorous lesson schedule which demands consistent attention of the artist. I first read The Natural Way to Draw in 1983. In January of 1985 I began a self study course using this book as my guide. I followed every lesson plan and read and re-read until I could recite the book by heart. Too broke to afford a nude model for the lesson plans, I drew my neighbors chickens, cows, horses and sheep, supplementing those subjects with weekly attendance at a drawing group and borrowing the local science teachers human skeleton. Whatever the subject matter, Niccolaides taught me to understand the essence of gesture. A little over a year and a half later, I finished the book. I went on to earn a college degree (BFA)in Painting and to become a professional artist. When I look back at the past 18 years of my life as an artist,this book had the most influence of any that I have ever read or worked with. I highly reccomend not just reading this book, but studying it. Devote a year of your life to studying this book and you will be a better artist.
Rating:
Summary: It's Amazing
Review: This book has taught me so much I wouldn't know where I'd be without. Others have already spoken to all it offers, so I'm gong to limit myself to the folks who've trashed it. First, this is a book of exercises. You either do them or you don't. But anyone who "flips through the book at the library," then complains it has nothing to offer is like someone who goes to the gym, watches other people work out, then leaves feeling unimpressed with a gym's ability to help him get in shape. Making a judgement about this book without "working" it is exactly as foolish. Second, there's nothing "modernist junk" at all about "The Natural Way to Draw." You'll be moving into anatomy studies and reproductions of the masters soon enough. Nicolaides is all about observing the details of life and recording them well. Again, such an ignorant comparison of the techniques Natural Way to Draw with a sloppy draughtsmanship and "modernist junk" only reveals the reviewer (who admitted he only "flipped" through the book) didn't flip very far and with little understanding of what he was holding in his hands. Third, there's a story further down about an art school where the teacher mocks this book. Too bad. I studied at that school. And I'm glad I did: I learned a lot. But that school ultimately is not enough. Their students draw well rendered work, but it's also flat, uninspired, and repitative. "That Natural Way to Draw" gives you the tool YOU need to draw the way YOU want to draw. Look: there's no easy path to drawing and painting really well. And this book guides you to drawing and painting really well. So, yes, it takes time; it takes effort. But at least all your effort is focused and fruitful. This book gives you the fundementals in a series of exercise. It's like doing exercises at the paino before you can play a concerto. And there's nothing wrong with that. If you want to apply yourself and become great, check this book out.
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