Publisher's Synopsis
Ruskin's The Elements of Drawing,
first published in 1857, remains one of the most sensible and useful
books on how to draw and paint, both for the amateur and the
professional artist. Ruskin reduces the art of drawing to its simplest
elements - the making of marks, the perception of shapes and
silhouettes before going on to more complex exercises and the use
of colour. He emphasizes the importance of observation of natural
forms, and of graduated study; and much of his method has strong links
with recent methods of teaching.
Bernard Dunstan, well known internationally both as a painter and an
experienced author of practical books on painting has provided an
introduction, commentary on the text and drawings and colour exercises
to illustrate more fully Ruskin's method and instruction. Where Ruskin
refers to the work of other artists such as Dürer, Titian and Turner, a
reproduction of the work, or a drawing after the origianl, has been
included.
