You Will be Able to Draw by the End of This Book Paperback – 9 Mar. 2017

I have been sketching and scribbling for maybe a few years now. It's mostly for fun, yet it's a sort of obsession as I do it wherever I go. I am always trying to improve, learn new techniques and understand where I'm going wrong and that's why I decided to try this book. I like to travel a lot and often find that's the time when I draw the most. I have taken this book with me on all my trips this year and every time I opened the book, I felt like I was being given a one-on-one art class from the man himself... Jake doesn't fit in my suitcase but this book did, and I learnt something new at every turn of a page. I can genuinely feel an improvement in my sketching technique and understanding. Specifically, I now take more time to think about composition, proportion, not making such heavy marks on the paper, and using negative space.This book would suit you if you are an absolute beginner who perhaps doesn't know where to start, or if you're a fanatic sketcher like myself, who wants to improve yet hasn't properly studied drawing, except for the odd short course or class here or there. I like the range of subjects covered in this book, from landscape to hands to pots and pans, encouraging use of different techniques such as subtractive tone and hints on how to build your perceptual skills. Jake also talks you through trying out different materials, including charcoal and ink, I had only ever used pencil in my drawings up until then! That's why this book was perfect for me, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who loves to draw or who has always wanted to.

It’s simple easy to use and makes sure you understand what you are doing.Thank you

Good book that touches on all the basics for the beginner trying to learn basic technique and skill. Everything explained plainly and concisely so you understand what is expected of you.Doesn't go into a lot of detail in each lesson, but enough to get a broad idea. Focus is more on giving a small taste of a variety of subjects a beginner might need to know.I was, perhaps irrationally angry though about the blue elastic that is supposed to act as a marker for your page. The elastic is good and strong but it's only held onto the book by a small bit of tape, which of course came off on the first day or two! I mean the whole shape of the book is worked off the premise that you use this elastic to mark your page, so why go to all the bother only to stick it on with a small piece of tape?!As grievances go though, it's not the worst - It doesn't take away from the quality of the contents of the book at all.

Easy reading

I really did intend to work my way through this book and maybe, finally, be able to draw. Somehow, it didn't quite work out and while I do understand that practise makes perfect (or nearly so), I didn't emerge too well from it at the end. I don't have my copy with me as I write this, but I believe the author finishes with advice to keep carrying on and there will be an improvement. But my understanding was that I would be much farther along the road already after using this workbook! Maybe I'm just a bad student!The way the book is 'built' is a strong point in its favour. That good old lacky band is so useful and I can't understand why some people couldn't work out its use.So, a nice book; just missed the mark a bit.

Being late to drawing this book was a real find the exercises are all undertaken in the book itself which is a brilliant concept & less excuse for not learning to draw as all you need is the book a pencil & a rubber (occasionally charcoal if desired). The exercises step through in a sensible order often just letting one get used to the materials in easy exercises to show what effects can be achieved before building up into more complex exercises bringing the previous steps together. the teaching is so good I'm happy to show my drawings to friends & family even though I haven't yet reached the end of the book so looking forward to getting even better (perhaps it could be called you will be able to draw before the end of this book). I'm so pleased that I have now bought a copy for a friend who like me hasn't drawn since school in 1970s (the art teacher completely ignored me so bad she thought my work that I was left to read books). But thanks to this book I have a new hobby & therapy from the rush of the modern world drawing puts everything out of your mind). The book is not too demanding fun to work through & I guarantee by the end of the book you WILL be able to Draw thoroughly recommended purchase

I think a few people have missed the point of this book. It's intended to be an artist's sketch book as well as a guide. The spine falls back in order to lay the pages flat. The elastic band isn't meant to be taped to the book. Artists regularly use elastic bands to hold their sketchbooks together, so it's a deliberate choice on the part of the author to include it - keeping it authentic. As an artist myself I can assure those reading this that it is a good book with nice little touches that have clearly been thought about aesthetically.It's a wonderful introduction to the art of drawing. I bought it for my 10 year old daughter, and she's delighted. I'm impressed, and as I said, I'm an artist myself.