I Can Draw

Book excerpt: Learn to draw with this sneakily accessible and fun approach, tested through years of classroom teaching. There’s no doubt about it: whether you’re a newbie or a pro, drawing can be daunting. That’s why expressive and humorous cartoons are the best place to start! From experienced teacher Peng comes a stylish yet playful approach to drawing cartoons, designed to excite even the most tentative artists. Over several decades teaching in schools and art colleges, artist and illustrator Peng has developed expert knowledge of the building blocks of drawing and sketching. As he shows, creativity can come from anywhere and entire sketches can spring up from the simplest lines or curves. Peng’s easy-to-follow guide inspires confidence and creativity by showing how even complete novices can quickly learn how to draw characters and develop their own individual style. Starting with the basics of figure construction and moving through to expression, storytelling, and animals, the artist conjures up delightful cartoons with wicked humor and a lightness of touch. Simple tips and exercises reveal how anyone and everyone can master the art of drawing. This volume encourages everyone to experiment with a variety of techniques executed through brush, pencil, and pen. Don’t be afraid of drawing! In this addictive starter book, you make the rules.