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.
Rating:
Summary: Art student's bible
Review: This book isn't just a book. This book isn't just a literary collection of useful sheets of paper. This book should be hardcover bound in thick-hided black leather, gilded in thick chains with a sense of fate and importance... for this is the book of _life_. Other drawing instruction books I have encountered, (pretty much all of them, I'm hardcore!), are vague, talk about a type of drawing that is too superficial to be called art, or, like most of them, don't know what they're really talking about. They talk about a new country without ever being there to witness it themselves. Kimon Nicolaides, therefore, is a wonderful and refreshing godsend with this book. This book teaches a true artist's mindset that you will have to train for your entire lifetime to completely achieve. No matter what kind of visual art you wish to pursue, no matter what medium you wish to use, if your heart is really in it, you will get this book and swear by it for eternity. At first, just reading the introduction is enough to send a chill down your spine and make you think, "whoa, this guy needs to lighten up! Art is supposed to be fun!" But if you practice the methods he teaches, you will soon realize that the fun in art is actually ten levels down, in a subconscious, spiritual, wonderful place. I promise you that if you read any another book on drawing, drawing won't be any more fun than you think it is right now. Nicolaides' work will have you experience something you cannot experience anywhere else. I bought this book in, I think, 1995 or so. I still have not finished the course, even though, as you can probably tell, I am completely devoted to this book. Although part of my excuse is that I have limited accessibility to figure model sessions, the truth is that all of the numerous exercises test the limits of your mind, body, and soul and take quite a while to really completely understand. I find myself going back to the basics over and over again when I get confused in my creative process. And the final exercises seem so rewarding and advanced to simply be skimmed through without understanding the rest of the book! Don't get this book if you want to learn how to draw X-Men. Don't get this book unless you have a true burning desire to learn how to draw and be a real artist! You should have access to drop-in life drawing sessions somewhere in your community to do these exercises properly, but if you have any curiosity about what "Art with a capital A" is, (as Betty Edwards says, not like I believe in her ideas at all), I definitely recommend you get this book. My life has changed (and is STILL changing!) for the better with it.
Rating:
Summary: Hard work but rewarding!
Review: This book means hard work. It tells you how to practice, gives you lessons, specifies a schedule for doing them, and then pushes you onto the arena to DO THE LESSONS. As the introduction to the book tells you, you are not even supposed to read a page ahead before doing the lessons mentioned before that page. To all those who want a quick way to success, this does not appeal much. But if you are ready to devote time and energy this book will do full justice to your patience. Of course, if YOU do all the work, then why do you need this book? The point is that the book specifies a very nice set of exercises that help you to focus on one thing at a time. In one set of exercises you study details, in another you study gesture, and in yet another you study weight. The book is not geared to teaching you any particular style of drawing (eg, landscape or portrait). It is a book to make you realize the artist in you.
Rating:
Summary: This a beautiful Well written BOOK!!
Review: This is a book that the only way you are going to benefit from is to Practice as much as you can the techniques described.It can be complicated for the beginner.It will be a good book once you get through the beginner stage,I think!
Rating: 
Summary: a great way to suceed
Review: This is a great book to learn and understand art. I have had my copie of this book for about 2 months now, and I can't put the book down. I am 15 years old and love art.This book has helped me go from stick figures to real live looking figures.I have to admit,in the beginning when I first go my book in the mail,I had a hard time understanding the schedule charts, but after awhile I got the hang of them.This is a great book I cherish very much. If you enjoy art you should own a copie of this book
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: This is an amazing book. I only have 1 thing to add to the great reviews already posted. If you are a complete beginner, consider picking up Mona Brookes' book "Drawing for Older Children and Teens". No matter your age, this is the place to start if you have little confidence in your ability to draw. It will help you build your confidence so that you can do this wonderful and challenging study program. I could not have done this book without starting out with the easier book. Good luck in your quest.
Rating:
Summary: Closest thing to art school
Review: This is the closest thing to art school us working stiffs will get. It is an outstanding book written as if the author was teaching you in a classroom setting. This has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that you will learn just like a real art student would learn, with lessons and exercises. The examples in the book are from actual students. In fact I haven't seen a single drawing from Nicolaides yet. This is a good thing because you are not just copying the artists work, you are making your own! However the disadvantage is that an enormous amount of time is required. If you follow the author to the letter and spend the amount of time he wants you to, you will spend 375 hours on this. Block aside one hour a day and you will finish this book in about 1 year! Personally I think you could reduce about 1/5 from this and still get the same results but that is still a large commitment. But if you think about it practice is the only way to improve and this book gives you lots of practice. Another thing is that a human 'model' is used extensively. Most of us don't have access to a model. I use movies and the pause button to get my models and it seems to work well. I for one really like the book. I like the approach because it is serious yet laid back. I want to learn to paint but realize I need to start with the basics so here I am. I think for the price, this book is a steal and, as a beginner, it is an excellent starting point to the world of drawing and will be a valuable reference in years to come.
Rating:
Summary: Closest thing to art school
Review: This is the closest thing to art school us working stiffs will get. It is an outstanding book written as if the author was teaching you in a classroom setting. This has advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are that you will learn just like a real art student would learn, with lessons and exercises. The examples in the book are from actual students. In fact I haven't seen a single drawing from Nicolaides yet. This is a good thing because you are not just copying the artists work, you are making your own! However the disadvantage is that an enormous amount of time is required. If you follow the author to the letter and spend the amount of time he wants you to, you will spend 375 hours on this. Block aside one hour a day and you will finish this book in about 1 year! Personally I think you could reduce about 1/5 from this and still get the same results but that is still a large commitment. But if you think about it practice is the only way to improve and this book gives you lots of practice. Another thing is that a human 'model' is used extensively. Most of us don't have access to a model. I use movies and the pause button to get my models and it seems to work well. I for one really like the book. I like the approach because it is serious yet laid back. I want to learn to paint but realize I need to start with the basics so here I am. I think for the price, this book is a steal and, as a beginner, it is an excellent starting point to the world of drawing and will be a valuable reference in years to come.
Rating:
Summary: It Works !..
Review: Truely a work of Art(In teaching, that is!) This book (or manual, or workbook, or textbook or Bible) really works. Its like taking a regular intensive training program in drawing. First, let me tell about 'Other' books:
Lots (Tons & Tons) of books are there in this subject. Problem is, they all have lots of drawings made by the author. Sometimes it is intimidating to take the first(important) steps because these drawings are so carefully made you just want to do the same. At the best, you learn to *Copy* an artist's art! :(
Result ... you learn NOTHING. In this book, you hardly see a 'perfect' drawing. All(almost) are scribblings..Natural scribblings. they are the work in progress of a learner. There are no drawings in this book to copy or reproduce !! Only methods and techniques & more importantly EXCERCISES !! This book does not give you Fish, instead it teaches you how to Fish! You will be able to draw anything & everything...Confidently ! If you are going to buy only one book in your life time, let this be the book. You probably don't need another! For me, it has given a new lease of life to the artist in me. I can confidently say that I have begun learning art now!... Note: I wrote the above review more than a year ago. Been practicing the lessons in the book on and off, as I find time. One thing that amazed me was when I look at the drawings that I drew before this book and my recent drawings. I cannot believe it. There was never in all my years did I have such a sharp improvement and *confidence* in drawing. Though there is still a long way to go, it is now very fulfilling to know I am on the right track .
Rating:
Summary: Superb Instructions and Clear Format
Review: You would not believe how much this book has helped me on my way to become a professional artist. It provides clear instructions on ways to improve drawing and shading technique. It does require a great deal of time and effort, but it is guaranteed to improve artistic skills 100%! It goes through daily studies in contour, modeled, gesture, and linear drawings *and much more*. Plus, it explains which aspects need to be improved and how to go about doing just that *includes the progress of other students as examples*. Very educational and helpful. No artist should be without it.
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