Flowers, Fruit & Vegetables

Book excerpt: Giovanni Civardi has built a formidable reputation worldwide for his skills as both an artist and a teacher, and here he provides a unique introduction to the art of still-life drawing focusing on natural forms. The focus of the book is very much on Giovannis exquisite drawings of a broad range of flowers, fruit and vegetables, which are accompanied by concise, clearly written explanations of perspective, composition, vegetable anatomy and structure, and light and shade. At the start of the book there is a useful section on the various drawing materials that are available, where to find botanical subjects and how to make careful studies and observation. The authors in-depth knowledge of the subject is apparent throughout, making this book an ideal introduction for the beginner, as well as a source of information and inspiration for artists of all abilities.