SKETCH AND DRAW

Few people there are who do not enjoy watching birds, and who would like to be able to draw them if they could. Raymond Sheppard has made a special study of all kinds of feathered friends, and in this book shows the results of his skill as a draughtsman, with explanatory text which will aid everyone towards an appreciation of birds, their different kinds of heads, feet, and wing formation. This reprint includes both the 1940 and subsequent 1956 titles by artist Raymond Sheppard.

This facsimile reprint from 1958 describes how to sketch insects. The author was a master draughtsman, and was well known for meticulously detailed illustrations. He describes how to collect and position entomological specimens for drawing, and also discusses various parts of insect anatomy that the artist will need to be familiar with. This little guide should be of great interest to the beginning nature artist.

This facsimile reprint from 1941 focuses on the rhythm of a horse's movement, from walking to trotting to galloping. He discusses different materials that can be used in horse artwork, and how best to bring vitality to the artist's rendering. Horses are a favorite subject for artists, and this will give the beginning artist a sturdy foundation for further study.

This facsimile reprint from 1940 describes how to illustrate the cat in repose and action. With a cat, you can't just sketch what you see; you need to understand the cat on a deeper level, and Mabel Greer spent years studying her subjects. Her advice is coupled with extensive drawings, some showing the wide variation seen in particular aspects of a feline's physical form. This is a terrific little guide for the budding artist with a penchant for pets.

This facsimile reprint from 1956 is a sketchbook from wildflower and nature artist Vere Temple. She relates the different types of creatures found around ponds (from dragonflies and frogs to fish and water beetles), and how they may be caught for observation. She gives examples of drawings she has made of such pond life, providing the beginning artist with ideas for sketching practice.

Trees are a favorite for nature artists. Gregory Brown provides advice on working with the variation seen in branching and leaves with different species. Trees may be immobile, but they still provide flow and contortion, with lots of details to consider. The artist will find much to consider in these pages. This facsimile reprint is from 1943.

Hearth and home can be fun but challenging for the beginning artist. Sydney R. Jones suggests materials to use, then discusses proportion, perspective, composition, light and shading, and architectural details. Practice and study will bring good results, as there are plenty of subjects to draw. This facsimile reprint is from 1946.

This facsimile reprint from 1940 describes how to illustrate the cat in repose and action. With a cat, you can't just sketch what you see; you need to understand the cat on a deeper level, and Mabel Greer spent years studying her subjects. Her advice is coupled with extensive drawings, some showing the wide variation seen in particular aspects of a feline's physical form. This is a terrific little guide for the budding artist with a penchant for pets.

This reprint from 1945 shows how to accurately draw military tanks from the ground up, with basic discussions of perspective, constructing the ground work, building up with details, and incorporating into action scenes. It is not a guide to the many types of tanks, though the author-artist does illustrate a number of varieties. Any budding artist with a penchant for militaria will find this guide of interest.

This facsimile reprint from 1941 is a guide to drawing WW2-era aircraft by aviation artist Frank A. A. Wootton. Wootton covers composition, light and shading, and war planes in action. This is a good introduction to sketching planes by a well-known specialty artist.