Overview

There are some very good books written on life drawing, yet when it comes to drawing wildlife, illustrators and artists often revert to working solely from photographs, which can leave the artwork looking lifeless and flat. In this inspirational book, artist Tim Pond shows you how to observe and draw animals in zoos, farms, wildlife parks and aquariums, teaching you some fascinating facts about the animals along the way and ultimately bringing you closer to nature. One of the challenges with sketching wildlife is that animals are constantly moving. However by having some basic understanding of the biology of an animal, such as knowing that a duck has a cheek or that a cheetah can't retract its claws, can influence how you might sketch them, and results in a lively drawing that captures the form, movement and ultimately the spirit of the animal in question. Combining scientific knowledge with expert practical guidance is key to creating successful drawings of animals, and Tim's ability to convey this in a way that is both accessible and engaging makes this a unique and inspiring guide suitable for artists of all levels. Tim's book takes you on a journey of discovery that will enable you to develop the skills, techniques and knowledge you need to sketch a broad range of wildlife, encompassing mammals, reptiles, birds, fish and insects. It includes quick, gestural sketches as well as linear and tonal studies, in a variety of media - pencil, pen and ink, and watercolour. There are numerous studies comprising how to represent the different patterns of animals' coats, how to capture the plumage of an exotic bird in watercolour, and how to sketch a hippo's hooves, as well as guidance on tools, materials and basic techniques. The result is a treasure chest of fascinating facts, studies, sketches and annotated drawings that will not fail to ignite your enthusiasm for drawing animals from life.

Full Product Details

9781782215127

Table of Contents

Reviews

This is, I think, the best book on drawing animals I've seen. The sheer breadth of the coverage and the amount of detail that Tim goes into is breathtaking. More than that, though, it remains at all times completely accessible and you're never left feeling bewildered by the amount of information on every page. The ability to do this comes from confidence and, as you can see from the results, Tim is completely at home with his subject and his materials. For what is avowedly a book about drawing, there's a lot of colour, much of it in the form of washes. As I write, I have to keep reminding myself that this is a drawing, not a painting, book although there is a convincing argument for treating it as the latter. One of the things I particularly like is that Tim doesn't bother with backgrounds, except for the occasional prop of a bit of vegetation. Too many artists opt either for a complete jungle or a nondescript cyclorama that makes the subject look like an exhibit in a menagerie. Tim's creatures exist for themselves and in their own right. They leap off the page and they're all the better for that. Drawing (or painting) animals is a complex subject. There's structure, form and behaviour as well as that elephant in the corner, anatomy. Tim has a neat way of dealing with that: shading. I've seen this done before and, frankly, it often just adds to the confusion. Tim uses a lot more colours than is usual and it just works. Even I can understand it and, more to the point, I believe I can. Another of his tricks is what he calls Wizards and Gizmos, little shortcuts to getting shapes and proportions right that allow you to build solid foundations for your subject that will pay dividends later. These are more than clever tricks for their own sake and are very handy ways of dealing with some of the more technical aspects of the subject. There's masses to get your teeth into here, from techniques to almost every living thing you can think of, from crustaceans to ungulates. This is a book that will keep you engaged - even engrossed - for a very long time and which delivers everything it promises as well as a lot more. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *

This is, without doubt, the best book on animal drawing I have ever seen. Not only are the results attractive and the very thing you'd want to be able to draw yourself, the comprehensive coverage and simple explanations are second to none. Simplicity is the key to Tim's approach, both in working and teaching. His creatures frequently stand alone, and never have more props or background than is absolutely necessary. That way, they leap off the page, both in monochrome and colour. As well as some neat 'widgets and gizmos' - simple shape-based ways of getting started - Tim also uses colour shading to handle the tricky subject of musculature and underlying structure. Finally, there's a way of getting to grips with this necessary topic. Subjects include birds, mammals, fish and crustaceans and there are sketches, studies and a variety of poses throughout. This book is always exciting, inspiring and thoroughly informative. * The Artist, June 2019 * This remarkable comprehensive guide will tell you all you need to know about drawing everything from amphibians to primates. If that sounds like an overwhelming and perhaps breathless task, Tim is completely at home with his subject and breaks it all down into manageable chunks. I particularly like his widgets and gizmos - little sidebars that contain tricks that include the use of geometric shapes, grids and outlines that get structure and proportion right first time and, above all, painlessly. This is a lot more than sleight of hand, though, and there's a lot of real science (as well as art) behind what suddenly seems easy. Tim uses shading to show how structure works beneath the skin - anatomical lessons suddenly become about art rather than anatomy. So far, I haven't mentioned the sheer quality of the work that Tim produces. While remaining faithfully accurate to shape and structure, there's a pleasant looseness to his style. It gives instant character and that sense of potential movement animals possess even at rest. Most of the illustrations don't have backgrounds but, where they do appear, they don't dominate and are always appropriate. The focus is always on the main subject, as it should be. Although the title might suggest that this is a pen and pencil book, there's plenty of colour and Tim shows you how to use watercolour to add shape, texture and tone to your outlines. I hope I've conveyed to you how much I love this. It's a visual feast that makes it impossible not to want to get started, even if you've never thought of drawing animals before. Even better, it fulfils its promise and takes you right through the process. Tim is a genius in every respect and this really could be the only book on animal drawing you'll ever need. * Paint magazine (March 2019) * In this practical guide to drawing and sketching animals, Tim Pond shows us how to observe animals in natural environments - from zoos and farms to wildlife parks and aquariums. To cope with animals' constant movement, Tim explains how a basic knowledge of biology can help you to capture the spirit of your subject as well as its form. Fascinating facts about animals are included along the way, making this a lively as well as inspiring guide to better sketching techniques. * Leisure Painter, April 2019 * This comprehensive guide to drawing animals will give you everything you need to know. Tim suggests ways of simplifying your approach to shape, form, structure and physical features so that you'll get perfect results every time. He calls these little tricks Widgets and Gizmos and they do seem to work like magic. In practice, they're just simple grids and block outlines that point you in the right direction before you can overthink the problem. You'll wonder why no-one's ever told you about them before! Every type of animal is here, from primates to ungulates and shellfish to amphibians. You've never wanted to draw a shrimp? Tim's approach is so enticing and encouraging that you'll be itching to do so the moment you see what's possible. Although thorough, Tim's approach is straightforward and never intimidating. In the anatomical diagrams, the differently coloured shading makes it easy to follow the structure that underlies the outward appearance of your subject. The whole book is a work of art that will have you producing your own in a very short time. * The SAA * 'This is, I think, the best book on drawing animals I've seen. The sheer breadth of the coverage and the amount of detail that Tim goes into is breathtaking. More than that, though, it remains at all times completely accessible and you're never left feeling bewildered by the amount of information on every page.' Read the full review here. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net * Tim Pond's Field Guide to Drawing & Sketching Animals is a keystone book for anyone wishing to draw animals that are both scientfically accurate and full of life. He does a deep dive into the anatomy and structure of animals but with a keen understanding of what the artist needs to see and understand. He has cut through irrelevant chatter to emphasise what you need to get the beast onto paper. His approach supports drawings that show the behaviour, mannerisms, and character, transforming a sketch from a generic diagram to an intimate portrait, the breadth of his examples, from sponges to gorillas is a celebration of the biodiversity of the Earth and an inspiration to naturalist-artists. * John Muir Laws *

This is, without doubt, the best book on animal drawing I have ever seen. Not only are the results attractive and the very thing you'd want to be able to draw yourself, the comprehensive coverage and simple explanations are second to none. Simplicity is the key to Tim's approach, both in working and teaching. His creatures frequently stand alone, and never have more props or background than is absolutely necessary. That way, they leap off the page, both in monochrome and colour. As well as some neat 'widgets and gizmos' - simple shape-based ways of getting started - Tim also uses colour shading to handle the tricky subject of musculature and underlying structure. Finally, there's a way of getting to grips with this necessary topic. Subjects include birds, mammals, fish and crustaceans and there are sketches, studies and a variety of poses throughout. This book is always exciting, inspiring and thoroughly informative.  * The Artist, June 2019 * This remarkable comprehensive guide will tell you all you need to know about drawing everything from amphibians to primates. If that sounds like an overwhelming and perhaps breathless task, Tim is completely at home with his subject and breaks it all down into manageable chunks. I particularly like his ""widgets and gizmos"" - little sidebars that contain tricks that include the use of geometric shapes, grids and outlines that get structure and proportion right first time and, above all, painlessly.  This is a lot more than sleight of hand, though, and there's a lot of real science (as well as art) behind what suddenly seems easy. Tim uses shading to show how structure works beneath the skin - anatomical lessons suddenly become about art rather than anatomy. So far, I haven't mentioned the sheer quality of the work that Tim produces. While remaining faithfully accurate to shape and structure, there's a pleasant looseness to his style. It gives instant character and that sense of potential movement animals possess even at rest. Most of the illustrations don't have backgrounds but, where they do appear, they don't dominate and are always appropriate. The focus is always on the main subject, as it should be. Although the title might suggest that this is a pen and pencil book, there's plenty of colour and Tim shows you how to use watercolour to add shape, texture and tone to your outlines. I hope I've conveyed to you how much I love this. It's a visual feast that makes it impossible not to want to get started, even if you've never thought of drawing animals before. Even better, it fulfils its promise and takes you right through the process. Tim is a genius in every respect and this really could be the only book on animal drawing you'll ever need.  * Paint magazine (March 2019) * In this practical guide to drawing and sketching animals, Tim Pond shows us how to observe animals in natural environments - from zoos and farms to wildlife parks and aquariums. To cope with animals' constant movement, Tim explains how a basic knowledge of biology can help you to capture the spirit of your subject as well as its form. Fascinating facts about animals are included along the way, making this a lively as well as inspiring guide to better sketching techniques.  * Leisure Painter, April 2019 * This comprehensive guide to drawing animals will give you everything you need to know. Tim suggests ways of simplifying your approach to shape, form, structure and physical features so that you'll get perfect results every time. He calls these little tricks Widgets and Gizmos and they do seem to work like magic. In practice, they're just simple grids and block outlines that point you in the right direction before you can overthink the problem. You'll wonder why no-one's ever told you about them before! Every type of animal is here, from primates to ungulates and shellfish to amphibians. You've never wanted to draw a shrimp? Tim's approach is so enticing and encouraging that you'll be itching to do so the moment you see what's possible. Although thorough, Tim's approach is straightforward and never intimidating. In the anatomical diagrams, the differently coloured shading makes it easy to follow the structure that underlies the outward appearance of your subject. The whole book is a work of art that will have you producing your own in a very short time. * The SAA * 'This is, I think, the best book on drawing animals I've seen. The sheer breadth of the coverage and the amount of detail that Tim goes into is breathtaking. More than that, though, it remains at all times completely accessible and you’re never left feeling bewildered by the amount of information on every page.' Read the full review here. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net * Tim Pond's Field Guide to Drawing & Sketching Animals is a keystone book for anyone wishing to draw animals that are both scientfically accurate and full of life. He does a deep dive into the anatomy and structure of animals but with a keen understanding of what the artist needs to see and understand. He has cut through irrelevant chatter to emphasise what you need to get the beast onto paper. His approach supports drawings that show the behaviour, mannerisms, and character, transforming a sketch from a generic diagram to an intimate portrait, the breadth of his examples, from sponges to gorillas is a celebration of the biodiversity of the Earth and an inspiration to naturalist-artists. * John Muir Laws *

'This is, I think, the best book on drawing animals I've seen. The sheer breadth of the coverage and the amount of detail that Tim goes into is breathtaking. More than that, though, it remains at all times completely accessible and you're never left feeling bewildered by the amount of information on every page.' Read the full review here. -- Henry Malt * Artbookreview.net *

Author Information

Tim Pond's artwork and illustration is widely recognised. His work spans two decades working in a great variety of media and for a range of different clients, including books, magazines, newspapers and film. Tim has always made his living as an illustrator and graphic designer, as well as lecturing at the Richmond upon Thames College, where he is the Curriculum Co-ordinator of Graphic Communications and teaches on a variety of courses. Tim is currently the associate artist at ZSL. Tim Pond was brought up in a small village in West Sussex. From an early age Tim could often be found drawing, inspired by the nature that surrounded him and illustrating his own stories. Tim later undertook a degree in Fine Art at the University of the West of England. In 1991 Tim was appointed as the `expedition artist' with Raleigh International in Alaska. Tim has written for Artist and Illustrator Magazine and has contributed to a number of books.

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