Drawing Lessons for Beginners. . - Reviews: A-V/Visual/CD-ROM - audio-visual review

Arts & Activities, March, 2002 by Barbara Herberholz

[A-V/VISUAL/CD-ROM] DRAWING LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS: Drawing Simple Shapes (76 min.); Drawing Nature (58 min.); Drawing People (61 min.); and Drawing Animals (58 min.). Video series/$24.95 each. Level: Grades 4-8. Coyote Creek Productions, 2419 East Mission, Follbrook, CA 92028, (760) 731-3184.

Each of the four videos in this series is divided into either three or four segments in which Donna Hugh explains and demonstrates a variety of drawing lessons. The series could be used for general classroom viewing, or viewed by one student or a small group of students for reinforcing the concepts presented. Volume One focuses on drawing simple shapes--namely peppers. The lesson progresses to drawing a shoe, a lesson in which Hugh demonstrates "shadow drawing," shading, and the use of various kinds of pencils. Next, she draws a conch shell and lastly a still life in color.

In Volume Two, Drawing Nature, Hugh uses photographs to emphasize atmospheric perspective in landscapes, then gives instruction in the basic structure of a tree and a potted plant, emphasizing the need to observe and draw details carefully. In Volume Three, viewers will learn proportions of the face and how to use a live model or molds of the features. In the last volume, the viewer will learn tips on drawing animals, focusing on their separate parts. Throughout the series, Hugh makes use of water-soluble colored pens to enhance the final product.--B.H. For information about this program, circle No. 399 on the Reader Service Card.