[IxDA Discuss] Learning how to sketch?

[Brad Bonham]

Alex, I've recently undertaken the same mission and have done lots of
research to figure out how I could most quickly improve my drawing and
sketching abilities without spending thousands of dollars and thousands
of hours of my time. Much practice and time is required, but here are
the books I've purchased to make this process more rapid:

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: 
http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Right-Side-Brain/dp/0874774241/ref=pd_
bbs_2/102-9950540-5444963?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179761667&sr=8-2

Mentioned by others here...this is the best $12 you'll ever spend if
you're insecure about your artistic ability. The book is designed to get
you over your insecurities about drawing in as fast a time as possible.
You start and end the "course" with self-portraits so you can see your
progress. My first drawing looked like it was done by a 5 year old, and
my last drawing done a month later looked like it was done by someone
with a fair amount of art experience. Simply amazing. It will take about
12-15 hours of your spare time to complete.

Rapid Viz, Third Edition: A New Method for the Rapid Visualizations of
Ideas
http://www.amazon.com/Rapid-Viz-Third-Method-Visualitzation/dp/159863268
X/ref=sr_1_2/102-9950540-5444963?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179761812&sr=1-2

Also mentioned before...In much the same way Drawing on the Right Side
of the Brain jumpstarts your drawing proficiency, Rapid Viz promises to
do the same for sketching ability. I still need to work through this
book, but colleagues and other reviewers glow about it. 

My goal with both of these books has been to increase my visualization
skills as rapidly as possible (think 80/20 rule). If Drawing on the
Right Side of the Brain is any indication, I'm well on my way.

A few other books I picked up to "hone" my drawing and sketching skills:


Perspective Made Easy
http://www.amazon.com/Perspective-Made-Easy-Ernest-Norling/dp/0486404730
/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-9950540-5444963?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179762675&sr=1-2

Perspective is arguably the most fundamental component of drawing and
sketching well, and it's also (at least for me) the hardest thing to
learn. I wanted a book that demystifies it and engrains the ability in
me.


Fast Sketching Techniques
http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Sketching-Techniques-David-Rankin/dp/15818000
53/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9950540-5444963?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1179762614&sr
=1-1

This looks like a fun way to become unafraid of scribbling feverishly.
=)

Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil
http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Realistic-Textures-Pencil-Hillberry/dp/089
1348689/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-9950540-5444963?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=11797622
26&sr=1-1
This one is all about making drawings intensely realistic. The artist is
amazing. The goals here are perfection over speed, but I wanted to be
exposed to such an intense level of detail to really open up my way of
"seeing" things. Never take a pixel for granted...


Hope these help!



Brad Bonham
Strategy Manager, UxG
Benefitfocus.com
brad.bonham at benefitfocus.com
843-849-7476 ext. 6229
 
-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at lists.interactiondesigners.com
[mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.interactiondesigners.com] On Behalf Of
Alexander Baxevanis
Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2007 5:01 PM
To: IxDA Discuss
Subject: [IxDA Discuss] Learning how to sketch?

Dear all,

I was wondering if anyone can offer some some suggestions on improving
sketching skills.

I'm mostly interested in using sketching for (1) illustrating physical
concepts (e.g. the form factor of a device) and (2) drawing
short-scenarios illustrating use of a product/service etc.

I'm currently comfortable at sketching basic block
diagrams/wireframes, i.e. mostly boxes & arrows.

Would appreciate any suggestions for websites, books, or your
experience with following any short courses in this area.

Thanks in advance,

Alex
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