Archives: Walter Foster Books
101 Textures in Graphite & Charcoal is a must-have resource for all graphite and charcoal artists. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on drawing key textures you'd find in any illustration.
Accurately rendering surfaces and textures is one of the most challenging aspects of working with graphite pencil and charcoal. 101 Textures in Graphite & Charcoal provides artists with step-by-step instructions for learning how to draw a wide variety of the most common textures and surfaces, including sand, water, metals, foliage, wood, fabrics, stone, grass, hair, and many more.
Opening with a general introduction to basic drawing tools, materials, and drawing techniques, each page in this comprehensive resource features two to three easy-to-follow steps demonstrating how to create each specific texture.
You will will discover tips and techniques for working in both graphite and charcoal and how to manage their differences when hatching, stippling, scumbling, blending, and more. With its breadth of coverage, easy-to-follow instruction, and helpful tips, 101 Textures in Graphite & Charcoal is a must-have resource for artists of all skill levels.
Portfolio: Beginning Pen & Ink will teach you everything you need to know about the fundamentals of drawing with pen and ink.
From the beloved and best-selling Portfolio art series by Walter Foster Publishing comes Portfolio: Beginning Pen & Ink, a book that invites you to explore this classic art medium in new and refreshing ways. This comprehensive guide is packed with valuable resources for artists of all skill levels, starting with the basics and ending with intricate, original step-by-step projects that are sure to impress—and inspire.
Portfolio: Beginning Pen & Ink introduces drawing basics, including stippling, hatching, and crosshatching; how to master the fundamentals of mark-making and line work; and helpful exercises for contour drawing, gesture drawing, perspective, and more. Chapters on value, tone, mood, light and shadow, and texture follow, ensuring that artists gain the drawing knowledge they need before working on the step-by-step projects featured in the book. Artists can even learn to add color to their black-and-white art using watercolor for a fresh, modern take on an age-old art form.
Whether you're a new artist looking to try a celebrated art technique, a pen-and-ink enthusiast, a mixed-media master, or a graphite-pencil fan looking to branch out to new mediums, Portfolio: Beginning Pen & Ink will teach you everything you need to know.
The Portfolio series covers essential art techniques, core concepts, and media with an approach and format that’s perfect for aspiring, beginning, and intermediate artists.
Also available from the series: Beginning Acrylic, Beginning Drawing, Beginning Watercolor, Beginning Pastel, Beginning Colored Pencil, Beginning Color Mixing, Expressive Painting, Beginning Color Mixing, and Beginning Composition.
From the beloved and best-selling Portfolio art series by Walter Foster Publishing comes Portfolio: Beginning Pen & Ink, a book that invites you to explore this classic art medium in new and refreshing ways. This comprehensive guide is packed with valuable resources for artists of all skill levels, starting with the basics and ending with intricate, original step-by-step projects that are sure to impress—and inspire.
Portfolio: Beginning Pen & Ink introduces drawing basics, including stippling, hatching, and crosshatching; how to master the fundamentals of mark-making and line work; and helpful exercises for contour drawing, gesture drawing, perspective, and more. Chapters on value, tone, mood, light and shadow, and texture follow, ensuring that artists gain the drawing knowledge they need before working on the step-by-step projects featured in the book. Artists can even learn to add color to their black-and-white art using watercolor for a fresh, modern take on an age-old art form.
Whether you're a new artist looking to try a celebrated art technique, a pen-and-ink enthusiast, a mixed-media master, or a graphite-pencil fan looking to branch out to new mediums, Portfolio: Beginning Pen & Ink will teach you everything you need to know.
The Portfolio series covers essential art techniques, core concepts, and media with an approach and format that’s perfect for aspiring, beginning, and intermediate artists.
Also available from the series: Beginning Acrylic, Beginning Drawing, Beginning Watercolor, Beginning Pastel, Beginning Colored Pencil, Beginning Color Mixing, Expressive Painting, Beginning Color Mixing, and Beginning Composition.
Featuring illustrated tutorials for drawing 75 different flowers, Ten-Step Drawing: Flowers breaks down each subject into 10 simple steps. All you need to get started is a pen or pencil and a piece of paper!
With Ten-Step Drawing: Flowers, learn to create an array of flowers and botanicals, step by easy step. From blooms and blossoms to floral bouquets, beginning artists will delight in the varied selection of subjects; as well as how easy it is to recreate them in ten simple drawing steps. Handy prompts help encourage artistic individuality and include helpful tips for drawing other subjects not featured in the book. Approachable text and step-by-step drawings make learning to draw fun and easy, and the portable format allows for spontaneous drawing wherever you may be.
Designed especially for aspiring illustrators, doodlers, and art hobbyists, the fun and approachable books in the Ten-Step Drawing series encourage new artists to get acquainted with the basic principles of drawing so they can learn to create art with confidence. Ten-Step Drawing: Flowers is sure to encourage even the most reluctant artist to break out a sketchbook and doodle to their heart's content. So grab a pencil and start drawing!
Also available in the Ten-Step Drawing series: Animals, Nature, and People.
With Ten-Step Drawing: Flowers, learn to create an array of flowers and botanicals, step by easy step. From blooms and blossoms to floral bouquets, beginning artists will delight in the varied selection of subjects; as well as how easy it is to recreate them in ten simple drawing steps. Handy prompts help encourage artistic individuality and include helpful tips for drawing other subjects not featured in the book. Approachable text and step-by-step drawings make learning to draw fun and easy, and the portable format allows for spontaneous drawing wherever you may be.
Designed especially for aspiring illustrators, doodlers, and art hobbyists, the fun and approachable books in the Ten-Step Drawing series encourage new artists to get acquainted with the basic principles of drawing so they can learn to create art with confidence. Ten-Step Drawing: Flowers is sure to encourage even the most reluctant artist to break out a sketchbook and doodle to their heart's content. So grab a pencil and start drawing!
Also available in the Ten-Step Drawing series: Animals, Nature, and People.
Featuring illustrated tutorials for drawing 75 different animals, Ten-Step Drawing: Animals breaks down each subject into 10 simple steps. All you need to get started is a pen or pencil and a piece of paper!
With Ten-Step Drawing: Animals, you will learn to create an awe-inspiring array of different animals. Step by step, you will create creatures both wild (bald eagle, armadillo, meerkat, dung beetle) and domesticated (donkey, camel, duck, goat). The animals include those from the sea (whale, sea turtle, jellyfish, walrus) and the woodland (snail, fox, raccoon, river otter). Even learn to draw your favorite pets (cat, dog, rabbit, guinea pig). Handy prompts encourage artistic individuality and include helpful tips for drawing other subjects not featured in the book.
Designed especially for aspiring illustrators, doodlers, and art hobbyists, the fun and approachable books in the Ten-Step Drawing series encourage new artists to get acquainted with the basic principles of drawing so they can learn to create art with confidence. Ten-Step Drawing: Animals is sure to encourage even the most reluctant artist to break out a sketchbook and doodle to their heart's content. So grab a pencil and start drawing!
Also available in the Ten-Step Drawing series: Flowers, Nature, and People.
With Ten-Step Drawing: Animals, you will learn to create an awe-inspiring array of different animals. Step by step, you will create creatures both wild (bald eagle, armadillo, meerkat, dung beetle) and domesticated (donkey, camel, duck, goat). The animals include those from the sea (whale, sea turtle, jellyfish, walrus) and the woodland (snail, fox, raccoon, river otter). Even learn to draw your favorite pets (cat, dog, rabbit, guinea pig). Handy prompts encourage artistic individuality and include helpful tips for drawing other subjects not featured in the book.
Designed especially for aspiring illustrators, doodlers, and art hobbyists, the fun and approachable books in the Ten-Step Drawing series encourage new artists to get acquainted with the basic principles of drawing so they can learn to create art with confidence. Ten-Step Drawing: Animals is sure to encourage even the most reluctant artist to break out a sketchbook and doodle to their heart's content. So grab a pencil and start drawing!
Also available in the Ten-Step Drawing series: Flowers, Nature, and People.
An accessible guidebook designed to teach and inspire, Art Starts with a Line offers everything you need to master the art of line drawing, whether the goal is to draw for fun or to illustrate an original masterpiece!
Line drawing involves using a combination of fine lines and bold strokes to create artwork of any kind—from basic folk art to more sophisticated illustrations. This form of art requires minimal tools, making it both affordable and portable. In Art Starts with a Line, artists of all skill levels are invited to learn how to draw almost anything starting with simple lines and basic shapes.
Following a brief introduction to tools and materials, as well as some easy exercises and techniques for warming up to basic drawing tools, you will explore a variety of subjects. You'll draw plants and flowers, architecture and cityscapes, animals, and everything in between. These projects aren't restricted to black and white either! You'll find techniques for adding color with colored pencil, marker, pen, even digitally.
Art Starts with a Line presents everything you'll need to know to learn how to successfully create line drawings of all types. Whether your goal is to create a custom logo for a client, or to simply decorate your planner—it's all here.
Packed with engaging instruction, tips, and beautiful step-by-step artwork, the Art Starts Series presents an approachable and heartwarming guide to line drawing designed to both inspire and teach beginning artists how to create meaningful artwork using simple lines and mindful prompts.
Line drawing involves using a combination of fine lines and bold strokes to create artwork of any kind—from basic folk art to more sophisticated illustrations. This form of art requires minimal tools, making it both affordable and portable. In Art Starts with a Line, artists of all skill levels are invited to learn how to draw almost anything starting with simple lines and basic shapes.
Following a brief introduction to tools and materials, as well as some easy exercises and techniques for warming up to basic drawing tools, you will explore a variety of subjects. You'll draw plants and flowers, architecture and cityscapes, animals, and everything in between. These projects aren't restricted to black and white either! You'll find techniques for adding color with colored pencil, marker, pen, even digitally.
Art Starts with a Line presents everything you'll need to know to learn how to successfully create line drawings of all types. Whether your goal is to create a custom logo for a client, or to simply decorate your planner—it's all here.
Packed with engaging instruction, tips, and beautiful step-by-step artwork, the Art Starts Series presents an approachable and heartwarming guide to line drawing designed to both inspire and teach beginning artists how to create meaningful artwork using simple lines and mindful prompts.
In The Little Book of Manga Drawing, beginning manga artists and aspiring illustrators will discover a variety of basic manga drawing techniques through step-by-step projects, creative prompts, and engaging ideas to ignite creativity.
From learning how to master the proportions and shape of heads and bodies, to understanding how to create personally relevant manga characters, this fun guidebook covers all the basics.
After an introduction to the tools you’ll use when creating manga, you’ll dive into how to draw and colorize your own manga artwork with the help of dozens of techniques and helpful instructions. You’ll also learn to draw props, costumes, and color, as well as how to draw manga chibis, to round out this comprehensive book.
The Little Book of … series focuses on delivering fun, approachable, and interesting art instruction in a fresh, portable format. With its contemporary design, open practice pages, creative exercises, and prompts that encourage interactivity, beginning artists learn the fundamentals of their craft, often with immediate results.
Also available from the series:The Little Book of Sketching, The Little Book of Lettering & Word Design, The Little Book of Cartooning & Illustration, The Little Book of Rock Painting, and The Little Book of Drawing Dragons & Fantasy Characters.
From learning how to master the proportions and shape of heads and bodies, to understanding how to create personally relevant manga characters, this fun guidebook covers all the basics.
After an introduction to the tools you’ll use when creating manga, you’ll dive into how to draw and colorize your own manga artwork with the help of dozens of techniques and helpful instructions. You’ll also learn to draw props, costumes, and color, as well as how to draw manga chibis, to round out this comprehensive book.
The Little Book of … series focuses on delivering fun, approachable, and interesting art instruction in a fresh, portable format. With its contemporary design, open practice pages, creative exercises, and prompts that encourage interactivity, beginning artists learn the fundamentals of their craft, often with immediate results.
Also available from the series:The Little Book of Sketching, The Little Book of Lettering & Word Design, The Little Book of Cartooning & Illustration, The Little Book of Rock Painting, and The Little Book of Drawing Dragons & Fantasy Characters.
In The Little Book of Lettering & Word Design, aspiring artists will discover how to create a range of classic and contemporary calligraphy and hand-lettered fonts.
Internationally acclaimed calligrapher John Stevens and other renowned hand-lettering artists lead the way with tips and techniques.
Following an introduction to inks, nibs, pens, and papers, as well as an overview of basic techniques, you will learn dozens of original alphabets and lettering designs ranging from funky and fun, to elegant and embellished. Tips for adding personal touches to letters and designing personalized alphabets are also included!
With an alphabet and lettering design for every occasion and easy-to-follow instructions, this book is perfect for everyone who wants to create stunning handwriting and calligraphy. Interactive exercises and practice pages allow you to jump right in.
The Little Book of … series focuses on delivering fun, approachable, and interesting art instruction in a fresh, portable format. With its contemporary design, open practice pages, creative exercises, and prompts that encourage interactivity, beginning artists learn the fundamentals of their craft, often with immediate results.
Also available from the series:The Little Book of Sketching, The Little Book of Manga Drawing, The Little Book of Cartooning & Illustration, The Little Book of Rock Painting, and The Little Book of Drawing Dragons & Fantasy Characters.
Internationally acclaimed calligrapher John Stevens and other renowned hand-lettering artists lead the way with tips and techniques.
Following an introduction to inks, nibs, pens, and papers, as well as an overview of basic techniques, you will learn dozens of original alphabets and lettering designs ranging from funky and fun, to elegant and embellished. Tips for adding personal touches to letters and designing personalized alphabets are also included!
With an alphabet and lettering design for every occasion and easy-to-follow instructions, this book is perfect for everyone who wants to create stunning handwriting and calligraphy. Interactive exercises and practice pages allow you to jump right in.
The Little Book of … series focuses on delivering fun, approachable, and interesting art instruction in a fresh, portable format. With its contemporary design, open practice pages, creative exercises, and prompts that encourage interactivity, beginning artists learn the fundamentals of their craft, often with immediate results.
Also available from the series:The Little Book of Sketching, The Little Book of Manga Drawing, The Little Book of Cartooning & Illustration, The Little Book of Rock Painting, and The Little Book of Drawing Dragons & Fantasy Characters.
Draw and paint beautiful, vibrant, and realistic birds and botanicals with The Art of Botanical & Bird Illustration. Take a sketch and transform it into fine art!
The Art of Botanical & Bird Illustration is a guide for contemporary artists aspiring to master shape, color, and texture and render beautiful, realistic, and vibrant botanical artwork. Author Mindy Lighthipe, an expert botanical artist, educates you about the tools and materials traditionally used in botanical illustration, including pencils, colored pencils, watercolor, gouache, and pastels.
This thorough yet easily digestible guide includes overviews of key illustration techniques and basic color theory and mixing, and it's loaded with exercises designed to help you learn to see shape, value, and form. By learning tounderstand plant life and anatomy, you can craft elegant flowers, leaves, trees, and much more in no time!
To bring it all together, The Art of Botanical & Bird Illustration includes step-by-step demonstrations to follow along with as you practice taking sketches and transforming them into fully rendered, colorful pieces of fine art.
The Art of Botanical & Bird Illustration is a guide for contemporary artists aspiring to master shape, color, and texture and render beautiful, realistic, and vibrant botanical artwork. Author Mindy Lighthipe, an expert botanical artist, educates you about the tools and materials traditionally used in botanical illustration, including pencils, colored pencils, watercolor, gouache, and pastels.
This thorough yet easily digestible guide includes overviews of key illustration techniques and basic color theory and mixing, and it's loaded with exercises designed to help you learn to see shape, value, and form. By learning tounderstand plant life and anatomy, you can craft elegant flowers, leaves, trees, and much more in no time!
To bring it all together, The Art of Botanical & Bird Illustration includes step-by-step demonstrations to follow along with as you practice taking sketches and transforming them into fully rendered, colorful pieces of fine art.
Modern Watercolor provides a colorful and fun approach to working with watercolor! Use the easy-to-follow instructions and beautiful, colorful artwork featured throughout the book to create dynamic leaves, flowers, trees, and simple geometric shapes and patterns.
This dynamic and inspirational guide from professional artist Kristin Van Leuven, owner of the online shop Hello Lovely People, will set you down a path of exploration as you learn to play with watercolors. Learn to use basic watercolor techniques and principles to create beautiful, expressive works of art. With Modern Watercolor, discover how to paint in watercolor by harnessing the medium's unique transparent qualities to create stunning works of art, stationery, gifts, and more. From selecting your first watercolor paints to learning to blend colors into a unique palette, this book will guide you as you begin your artistic journey and create cohesive, rich works of watercolor art.
The easy-to-follow lessons explore using watercolor on different surfaces, how to create basic shapes using fun techniques, and how to create myriad gorgeous effects that can be achieved with different brushes and strokes. You can even learn how to add layers of dimension and texture, as well as how to work with resist techniques to create pretty patterns and gorgeous backgrounds.
Whether you’re an experienced artist seeking a playful escape or a beginner who has never held a paintbrush, there’s something for everyone in Modern Watercolor.
The Modern Series of books offers a fun, contemporary approach to working with traditional art media, demonstrating that with the right type of instruction, encouragement, and tips, drawing and painting success can be achieved by any artist or creative type.
Also in the Modern Series:Modern Colored Pencil, Modern Acrylic, and Modern Drawing.
This dynamic and inspirational guide from professional artist Kristin Van Leuven, owner of the online shop Hello Lovely People, will set you down a path of exploration as you learn to play with watercolors. Learn to use basic watercolor techniques and principles to create beautiful, expressive works of art. With Modern Watercolor, discover how to paint in watercolor by harnessing the medium's unique transparent qualities to create stunning works of art, stationery, gifts, and more. From selecting your first watercolor paints to learning to blend colors into a unique palette, this book will guide you as you begin your artistic journey and create cohesive, rich works of watercolor art.
The easy-to-follow lessons explore using watercolor on different surfaces, how to create basic shapes using fun techniques, and how to create myriad gorgeous effects that can be achieved with different brushes and strokes. You can even learn how to add layers of dimension and texture, as well as how to work with resist techniques to create pretty patterns and gorgeous backgrounds.
Whether you’re an experienced artist seeking a playful escape or a beginner who has never held a paintbrush, there’s something for everyone in Modern Watercolor.
The Modern Series of books offers a fun, contemporary approach to working with traditional art media, demonstrating that with the right type of instruction, encouragement, and tips, drawing and painting success can be achieved by any artist or creative type.
Also in the Modern Series:Modern Colored Pencil, Modern Acrylic, and Modern Drawing.
Perfect for beginning artists, The Art of Drawing Optical Illusions will help you create mind-bending optical illusions to fool your brain and tease your senses.
*Named One of the 54 Best Colored Pencil Drawing Books of All Time by BookAuthority*
Optical illusions are like magic tricks of the art world. They may look difficult to create, but with just a little bit of guidance, they can be easily achieved. Jonathan Stephen Harris guides you step-by-step in creating mind-blowing pencil drawings, starting with basic optical illusions and progressing to more challenging ones. From impossible shapes to three-dimensional sketches and trick art, you won’t believe your eyes as you learn to draw optical illusions in graphite and colored pencil.
Learn to draw 25 optical illusions, including:
- 3D Shapes
- Floating Shapes
- Impossible Shapes
- 5-Legged Elephant
- 3D Horse and Tyrannosaurus rex
- Transparent Cube
- Water Droplet
- Spiral Hole
- And much more!
Certain techniques can be used to create these types of illusions, and author Jonathan Stephen Harris gives clear instructions for everything you need to know. The Art of Drawing Optical Illusions begins with information on tools and materials, perspective, and shading, and then jumps into the first simple optical illusion. At the end of the book is an inspirational idea gallery for more illusions you can draw. As you work through the optical illusions in this book, you will hone your drawing skills in the most unique way possible, while also exercising your mind with these brain-boosting, unbelievable tricks! Just like a magician, you’ll be able to wow your family and friends with your own stunning optical illusions!