Drawing Is Magic: Discovering Yourself in a Sketchbook by John Hendrix

by John Hendrix

A sketchbook is an essential tool for the growth of any aspiring artist, but its blank pages can be daunting to even the most motivated. Obsessed with perfection, many wind up treating their sketchbooks more like portfolios than playgrounds. In Drawing Is Magic, author John Hendrix teaches aspiring and advanced artists to find their unique visual voices and become creative daredevils. Through his freeing, offbeat Drawing Is Discovering Yourself in a Sketchbookexercises, drawers learn a sophisticated philosophy of creative thinking—in a way that is totally accessible and fun. Also by John Miracle Man

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Drawing

Unknown Binding

First published March 24, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Hendrix is the illustrator of Nurse, Soldier, Spy and author/illustrator of Shooting at the Stars, among others. He lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

Reviews

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! This guy gets it! More of an activity book than a long read, but a great collection of drawing prompts and assignments for the reluctant sketchbook-user OR the more practiced sketchbook-keeper. This is the book you want to recommend to your friend who wishes they could draw better but can't stand making a mark in a fresh sketchbook. You can even use this book as a sketchbook, but not if you borrow it from the library (sorry). Also really fun book design. A fitting companion to Lynda Barry's recent how to art/write books.

[Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drawing is Magic is an incredibly interactive and engaging book that encourages you to discover yourself through drawing. From the moment that I opened the book, it felt like I was transported into another realm where I could forget all about the homework that was piling up on my desk, and just draw. The best part about this book is all of the funny notes that John Hendrix leaves sprinkled throughout, just waiting to make you laugh out loud. Another thing that I already love about this book is all of the "tasks" that he uses to get you off of the couch and out into the world, like drawing at the movie theater or whats on your plate. I have already started drawing, and I look forward to working my way through this sketchbook, one drawing at a time.

Get this book. You wont be disappointed!

I received Drawing is Magic through Goodreads First Reads.

[Johanna Haas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational and fun. Each (thick, glorious) page gives you a different prompt to start drawing. I had been trying to get back into drawing for a while now, but had been lost on where to start. This book provided me with tons of ideas and got me drawing. This book could be fun for anyone - but I would especially recommend it for a novice adult or a young person making the transition from coloring to creating his or her own art. I received this book through the Goodreads First Reads program.

[Linda Supe Supe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book might just be another lesson on how to draw, but it is so much more! It brings out you from the inside out with the inspiration to just draw and be creative, even if it's not good. I love this book and will carry it with me everywhere.

Thank you,
Linda Supe

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its great! My niece will love it. Won on GoodReads

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This is a fun book to get one drawing more often, and more creatively. There are some good and interesting ideas. I got this book at the library, but I’d be willing to buy it for less than $10. I’ll probably just use some of the ideas in my own sketchbook. The illustrations in the examples aren’t my style, but are still very instructive and inspiring. I appreciated seeing Hendrix’s interpretations of scriptures.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist at all, you will enjoy the imaginative prompts in this book.

[Luke Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got me into drawing for the first time in my life. Thank you Mr. Hendrix, sincerely.

[Obscura Caelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leído pero sin intervenir, esto tendrá otra actualización.
________
I've read the book but without intervention, I'm going to update this.

[Whit Stiles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I want to learn to draw
I wish I was a sigma

[Yvette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read (it's a library book) but I see how it works as a personal sketchbook with prompts and tips. Currently also reading Hendrix's Bonhoeffer graphic novel so wanted to see his other work.

[Jonathan Crabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a book meant as a sketchbook for a burgeoning artist. It is clearly born out of Hendrix passions, and I absolutely love the idea. Sadly, I am not an artist nor do I have strong desires to grow in that area, so this book isn't meant for me specifically. However for the person who is growing as an artist (like my daughter), I can't wait to see what magic this unlocks.

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torn between 4 and 5 stars. The advice in this book is solid but I’m not a fan of the drawing prompts.

[Eling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this out of the library to scope out & I really enjoyed it and plan on getting my own copy so I can actually draw in it ;)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relearn to play with this book!