I'd Love to Draw!

I'd Love to Draw! is a restored and updated version of Andrew Loomis's instructional art book from the 1930s. Editor Alex Ross has preserved Loomis's original teaching methods while making them accessible to contemporary readers. The book presents fundamental drawing concepts through step-by-step demonstrations and practical exercises. Loomis breaks down complex artistic principles into basic shapes and forms that beginners can understand and practice. This volume focuses on figure drawing, perspective, and capturing human expressions. The instruction moves from simple geometric forms to complete compositions, with each chapter building upon previous lessons. The enduring influence of Loomis's teaching methods speaks to art education's timeless principles. His emphasis on observation and understanding basic forms continues to resonate with artists at all skill levels.

Readers value this book as an approachable introduction to drawing fundamentals, particularly for complete beginners. Many note that it breaks down complex concepts into simple, manageable steps. Likes: - Clear progression from basic shapes to finished drawings - Detailed explanations of proportions and perspective - Quality paper and printing that works well for practice - Accessible tone that builds confidence Dislikes: - Some find it too basic for intermediate artists - Several note that content overlaps with other Loomis books - A few mention the relatively slim page count for the price - Some readers wanted more exercises and examples Ratings: Amazon: 4.6/5 from 458 reviews Goodreads: 4.4/5 from 126 ratings Notable review quotes: "Perfect for absolute beginners - takes you from stick figures to real drawings step by step" - Amazon reviewer "Good starter book but you'll outgrow it quickly" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have liked more practice assignments" - Art forum comment

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards This step-by-step guide teaches fundamental drawing skills through exercises that tap into the brain's natural ability to process visual information.

Keys to Drawing by Bert Dodson The book breaks down drawing techniques into specific skills with exercises that build upon each other to develop observation and mark-making abilities.

Figure Drawing for All It's Worth by Andrew Loomis This classic instruction manual focuses on human anatomy and proportions with detailed explanations of skeletal structure, muscle groups, and body mechanics.

Drawing From Life by Charles Reid The text presents methods for capturing gesture, movement, and form through loose sketching techniques and life drawing practices.

The Natural Way to Draw by Kimon Nicolaides This structured course provides exercises and assignments that develop drawing skills through observation of live models and everyday objects.

🎨 Published posthumously in 2014, this book was reconstructed from Andrew Loomis's unfinished manuscript found decades after his death in 1959. ✏️ Loomis worked as a freelance illustrator for major advertising agencies and magazines, including Kellogg's, Coca-Cola, and The Saturday Evening Post. 📚 The book's step-by-step instruction method influenced generations of artists, including comic book legends Alex Ross and Steve Rude. 🖌️ Andrew Loomis developed the "Loomis Method" of drawing heads, which breaks down the human head into simple geometric shapes and is still widely taught today. 🎯 Despite being written in the 1950s, the book emphasizes the importance of capturing personality and emotion in drawings, a concept that remains central to modern character design.