Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil

by J.D. Hillberry

You won't believe the incredible drawings you can create using common pencils and the special techniques illustrated in this book. These methods are so easy that anyone--from doodler to advanced artist--can master them in minutes! Step by step, you'll learn how to capture the look of metal, glass, weathered wood, skin, hair and other textures. Two detailed start-to-finish demonstrations show you how to use these textures to create drawings that look so real they seem to leap right off the page.

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction, Reference, Art Design

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 1999

Reviews

[Michael Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.D. Hillberry's Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil is a course on intermediate and advance drawing that focuses on texturing. Following a detailed introduction of the tools of the trade (carbon, charcoal, graphite, and all sorts of erasers, smudgers, blenders, and so on), the author details his technique for generating a wide variety of textures, including wood, metal, and water (with reflections). Very interesting reading.

[عبدالرحمن · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for me, despite the author is discussing techniques not suitable to my own style, at least the book inspired me the concepts of making textures with pencils, covered the basics of creating textures with pencils & blending tools, also the accentuation of Mr Hillberry about necessity of every artist must develop his own style & techniques.

The reason why I couldn't give it higher rating, is that the most of author's work is done with charcoal pencils, which I rarely use, & doing his work on a paper I do not use for my pencil drawings.

Anyway it's a good book, deserves to be read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hillberry gives great tips and advice for working in pencil and charcoal, and introduces a variety of tools for the artist that are easily found around the house. He is a great artist, and I recommend you follow him on facebook as well for more tutorials and videos to help you with your art.

[Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a title that specific, you know the scope of the work will necessarily be limited; however, Hillberry does an admirable job of covering excellent techniques for realism in this medium. Information is illustrated well and laid out clearly and logically. I thought I was knowledgeable on photorealistic pencil work, but I was surprised by clever methods and material manipulations the author presented which I had never before encountered. Very recommended for intermediate to advanced dry media artists.

[Sonya Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want your drawings to be more believable, then this is a must. Textures are so important in a drawing and so difficult to master, but Ms. Hillberry makes it seem easy. This book is small but packed with a ton of important information.

[Dorothy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hyper realism in art

There’s a lot of good ideas here for a self-taught artist. I noticed that a lot of the art is a little bit lacking of contrast which means he does not have a enough of the darkest darks or the latest lights

[Parul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional artist, Exceptional book. I've been sketching since childhood but this book coupled with a few online courses improved by hyperrealism sketches by tenfold. Recommended for anyone who wants to take their sketching to next level.

[Greg Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Textbook!

Helpful for all levels! He explains many techniques and ideas useful for all media, although he employs traditional black and white pencil and charcoal.

Particularly helpful to me as I progress from beginner to intermediate artist!

[Beth Jackson- king · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very descriptive

I like the instructions he gives. Very helpful and improved my drawing tremendously! I want more from this author please!

[Omar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended as the much informations contained in that book about ways to do different textures and other important information that based on the author’s experience which simplified by the author

[GONE HU I-Mael · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a wonderful book, i love it, really good book, I highly recommend it

[Vaidyanathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistically rendering textures

A good book. Well presented. Very logically explained the methods involved in the actual picture and goes on to reinforce with examples

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assuming the reader already has a handle on shape and perspective, the right amount of explanation with visual step-by-step. I would like to see more about blond and facial hair (only because that is my area of difficulty). Otherwise, great range of textures from shiny glass to bumpy wood.

Chapter 1: The Materials. The very minimum anyone needs is a pencil and a piece of paper. For serious drawing, it is important to have a variety of pencils, erasers, blenders, and paper. Mr. Hillberry's preferences are very close to mine. I can do a lot with a #2 pencil, however, I find it is much better to start with a 4H. In my pencil bin, I tend to use 4H, H, 2B, 4B. For deep dark areas, I have charcoal pencils. Erasing pens and kneaded erasers are extremely handy. Typing erasers are not easy to find anymore. I stay away from pink erasers as I've had way to many experiences of accidently rubbing the pink color on a drawing. I adore Mars white erasers. For blending, I have blending stumps, tissue, paper towels, a few paintbrushes, and a chamois. The author recommends felt pads, I have some but have not used them. My favorite paper for smoothness and not breaking the bank is Strathmore 400 series. Other materials I can't live without are tracing paper and rulers. I have a light box for times I want to make an exact copy of an object or layout.

Chapter 2: The Technique. Along with a talk on values, tips for textures. One tip I tend to mess up the most is mixing graphite with charcoal. Graphite is slick, and charcoal will not lay down on it. It is important to have charcoal as the base layer. I start my drawings with 4H graphite. I have to remember to erase any areas I'm going to need to be deep dark black, set down the charcoal, and then, if I need a shine, add the graphite. I find that sometimes placing graphite over graphite can be problematic for the same slickness issue. If I plan enough ahead of time, I'll use 4H sparingly where I plan on adding 2B or 4B. Excellent advice on indenting and masking, these are two areas I need work.

Chapter 3: The Tips. This chapter is the reason I bought this book, and I have found it well worth the money. Tips on surface textures include metal, people, glass, wood, leather, barbed wire, cloth, and fur.

Chapter 4: The Examples. Two nicely drawn walk-throughs, one of various objects and one of a cat.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have done numerous drawings mostly when in art school years ago. I found the tips useful. The illustrations are very nice. Enjoyed the book and it inspired me to maybe start drawing again.

[Phoebe Sparrow Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can learn a lot if you read this book carefully

I have had this book for several months but as I find actually reading text about how to do Art daunting, I did not open it until today, when to my surprise I read the whole thing, almost, in a day. Not only that, but I followed Hilberry’s instructions and did my own drawing! That is what I call inspirational! While low-key in tone, the text is nevertheless easy to follow and very clear. You will be pleased at how much your drawing of various textures improve if you do as I did. Highly recommend this book!

[Darla Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The art is incredible. The artist taught himself his art techniques by experimentation. He is a self taught artist. With practice and following his tips, you can do it too. However, I don't think this book is for a beginning artist. I think a beginner could be discouraged too quickly by not being able to obtain the same results. It can take years to really become skilled at the techniques, but you never know unless you try!

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hillberry shows what is possible with pencil and paper, plus an arsenal of shading techniques. The book is broken down into four informative sections: Materials, Tips and Techniques, Draw Realistic Objects and Putting it all Together. This really isn't a book for a beginner (though the techniques can be practiced by a beginner), but for someone who is at least at the intermediate level in their drawing ability.

[David Buchan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

The limited tonal range of standard pencils guarantee flat drawings. J D Hillberry gives us the tools, techniques and inspirational examples to breath life and three dimensionality into pencil drawings. The only difference between his drawings and photographs is they're better, bringing an artist's composition to each picture. Essential and easy to follow guide. Even my sketching improved.

[Martha Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I think this book was very good at teaching graphite pencil drawing techniques. A good fit for beginning or intermediate drawing students. There are many nice pencil drawings in this book. Pencil is a tool for drawing masters. I think any student can pick up a trick or two from this book. Or just refresh what you have learned but may have forgotten.

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Am abandoning this. The explanations are not thorough enough and this book is not suitable for those learning to draw. But the graphite drawings are beautifully and realistic done which show the artist's skill, which I admire.

[Hud-c · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book deals with textures & shading techniques, so there's definitely a limited scope to focus upon. What I like about this is how the author instructs the reader. Very helpful, straight to the point advise and tips but not limiting the artist in you to explore your own creative imagination.

[Tony Orcutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as informative as I would hoped it would be, but it does offer a lot of different techniques at creating realistic textures. J.D. Hillberry is a much better artist than a writer in my opinion though.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Hillberry is an excellent photo-realistic artist, and the step-by-step guidelines and tips in this book are very helpful. The only complaint I have is that it's not long enough.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't draw like this yet (if ever), but I still like seeing how it's done.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aimed at the more serious graphite artist, this is an example of the standards we should strive to attain.

[Iesha Patterson]

this looks good.i haven't read it,but i have every intention to.

[Judy]

This is a well-written book with many sound techniques for realistic drawings. One of the best I have read and worked with.

[Elizabeth Bell]

As everyone has said the work here is so incredible you'll question your eyes! What truly surprised me ( other than I did a decent drawing of a horseshoe) is just how much I enjoyed looking through this book. If you're not a drawing this can easily be eye candy!