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Drawing Animals Using Grids


Synopsis


If you have often struggled to draw animals, from master artist Giovanni Civardi comes this highly visual beginners guide to drawing dogs, cats and horses using the traditional grid technique - a method that makes the first stages of drawing simple and achievable.

Giovanni Civardi shows you how to create an accurate pencil sketch of the subject by laying a grid over a photo or drawing and transferring the image to the drawing surface one square at a time.

Beginning with a summary of animal anatomy and basic drawing techniques, this book contains over 90 outlines of dogs, cat and horses in a range of static and moving poses, with guidance on how to add shading and tonal effects to create more detailed finished drawings.

Summary

Chapter 1: Understanding Grids and Animal Anatomy

* Explains the concept of grids and how they help in accurate drawing.
* Introduces basic animal anatomy, including skeletal structure and muscle groups.
* Real-world example: Drawing a simple cat face by dividing it into four sections using grid lines.

Chapter 2: Drawing Heads and Bodies

* Covers techniques for drawing animal heads, focusing on different angles and facial expressions.
* Guides on sketching animal bodies, considering proportions and body language.
* Real-world example: Creating a grid for a dog's head and body, ensuring accurate placement of features and limbs.

Chapter 3: Facial Features and Details

* Provides in-depth instruction on drawing eyes, noses, mouths, and ears.
* Emphasizes the importance of capturing expressions and individual characteristics.
* Real-world example: Drawing a detailed eye of a horse using a grid to ensure proper spacing and shape.

Chapter 4: Hands and Feet

* Explains the complexities of drawing hands and feet, including bone structures and muscle placement.
* Offers techniques for capturing different poses and movements.
* Real-world example: Sketching the hands of a monkey using grids to accurately represent the curves and angles.

Chapter 5: Fur and Textures

* Explores techniques for depicting fur and other textures on animals.
* Demonstrates how to create realistic effects using shading, cross-hatching, and stippling.
* Real-world example: Drawing the fur of a wolf using a combination of grid lines and varying stroke lengths.

Chapter 6: Scenes and Backgrounds

* Provides guidance on creating scenes and backgrounds for animal drawings.
* Covers perspective, composition, and the use of reference materials.
* Real-world example: Sketching a cat in a window, using grids to position the animal within the background.

Chapter 7: Troubleshooting and Refinement

* Addresses common mistakes and challenges in animal drawing.
* Offers tips for troubleshooting and enhancing the accuracy and realism of drawings.
* Real-world example: Analyzing a drawing of a bird's wing and identifying areas for improvement using grid lines.

Chapter 8: Case Studies and Projects

* Features step-by-step case studies of animal drawings, from start to finish.
* Includes projects and exercises that allow readers to apply the techniques learned.
* Real-world example: A comprehensive tutorial on drawing a lion's face, utilizing grids throughout the process.