You Can Draw in 30 Days: The Fun, Easy Way to Learn to Draw in One Month or Less Paperback – January 4, 2011

Got this for a 9 year old. Very clear and simple directions and he has been very eager to continue drawing freehand.

Of the "how-to" art books I have, I think this is the best one for an absolute beginner. The authors tone is engaging and encouraging and each lesson builds on the previous to introduce various skills, for example foreshortening, shading, perspective, etc.A few of the critical reviews complained that the drawings are "cartoonish". By and large, that is a fair commentary. However, that doesn't mean they aren't useful exercises. And the principles taught serve as a solid foundation that can be applied as you develop higher level capabilities.Personally, I enjoyed the student example offered after each lesson. They demonstrated how the principles taught in the lesson can be applied in a variety of ways. I found trying to reproduce some of them myself to be a useful exercise.If you're an absolute beginner who thinks you can't draw at all this book is a good start to changing your mind. It won't turn you into a fabulous artist, any more than learning to write a coherent sentence will turn you into a best selling author, but it will give you a foundational skill set and some insight into the artistic experience.If one wants a more detailed and advanced book, I'd suggest Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards. In addition to teaching techniques, that book discusses the psychology of drawing and why learning to draw is of benefit to anyone regardless of their profession.You can learn to draw realistic representations from that book. However I think it would be to daunting for an absolute beginner. I'd suggest starting with 30 Days. Then, if you want to develop further, more on to Drawing on the Right Side. Or I suppose you could look at both simultaneously, reading some of the theory and background in Betty's book while developing the basic techniques Mark teaches.In any case, pick up a pencil and get going.

It's a good book. I still can't draw, but it's enjoyable.The techniques it teaches are really cool and presented fairly easily. The problem is if you just can't draw a circle at all then all the shading and perspective gets lost in the ugly mess. Still recommend it though.

Over the years, many years, I have attempted to draw. I have worked my way through an enormous number of books, taken college classes, and attended other local classes without any real results. About five years ago I gave it up and only drew to enhance my ability to study an object or design it. All with a pencil, no computers.Then I discovered Zentangle and my interest in drawing was revived. What was good about Zentangle was its lack of judgment. After doing this for awhile (I still enjoy tangling) I spotted You Can Draw In 30 Days. I had given Draw Squad to my grandson so I wondered about this book. I bought it for my Kindle, and it was a good decision.The difference with Mr. Kistler's book is fun. While he is teaching serious lessons he is making the process light hearted and interesting. He tells you it is OK to draw weird cratered landscapes and funny aliens. He also employs many techniques that are taboo in the “serious art” community, such as tracing. Yes, Mr. Kistler encourages the student to buy tracing paper and trace drawings – including the great artists such as Leonardo and Rembrandt. And not just once. Ten to twenty tracings of the same artwork is urged. Dubious, I went ahead with the assignment and traced the Madonna of the Rocks over 10 times. The second and third tracings were boring, then I began to see what I had been missing and began improving my drawing. It was enlightening. Among the innumerable teachers and books I have encountered Mr. Kistler ALONE recommend this technique.The projects in You Can Draw in 30 Days are entertaining to go back to and easy to expand upon. Using the basics taught to draw a tree, for example, you can easily take up drawing many kinds of trees.His advice on using a clear clipboard with markers to practice landscape drawing is excellent advice. Mr. Kistler is a unique and positive teacher who has obviously put a lot of thought into making drawing possible for us mortals with little talent and he has tested these ideas in the classroom to insure they work.Most of Mr. Kistler’s work has a cartoon feel about it, but he is teaching lessons applicable to realistic drawing as well as fanciful. His drawing of the Madonna of the Rocks and the lesson on drawing eyes stresses realism. Make no mistake, after completing Mr. Kistler’s book you will have an increased ability to draw realistically.I also recommend How To Draw Anything by Linley. Although the approach is different I think his advice is excellent for those struggling to draw.AD2