DRAW Portraits in Colored Pencil: The Ultimate Step by Step Guide

This is a wonderful book on incredible colored pencil technique rich with valuable, interesting information. The demos are thorough, some of the artists included I have long admired. As an artist myself, I was stunned that for expediency, 7 of 11 first trace their image from a photograph. Accurate proportion in drawing a likeness (of any subject) is the most difficult part of the process and one has a great sense of accomplishment when this is achieved even if only seen by friends and family. I have entered and won juried competitions and would never think of taking this shortcut knowing I was judged or viewed along with those who have done the hard work from beginning to end.

It's WAAAAAAAY overpriced. It's paperback on cheap paper... It really should only cost half what they are asking for.With that said there is *some* good info in there. However many of the steps are not thorough. One artist said he couldn't be bothered with sharing what colors he used in his steps, so his whole tutorial is useless for someone like me that's trying to figure out how to pick the right colors to layer to get the tones I see in the pictures they are doing tutorials on.Also be warned that these artists use ALL kinds of pencils. If you don't have a vast collection of pencils it might be hard for you to figure out colors. The main cover picture for example uses Faber Castels, Caran d'Ache, Derwent, Prismacolor, & Prismacolor Verithins on that one portrait. I only have access to Prismacolors and am having a heck of a time matching up my Prismacolors to the other brands used. Perhaps providing color charts of each brand in the book would have been useful... That way we can use what pencils we have rather than have to go spend $100s on various other pencils sets!Yes, there is some extremely talented artists in this book, but it's not very helpful in teaching how to use color pencils to make portraits. Also it's EXTREMELY overpriced for what it is.

I'm not an accomplished colored pencil artist but have a deep love of the medium, so whenever I come across a colored pencil book, I flip through it to see if the writer is just sketching or really going for that realism that I adore. This book has simply surpassed anything else I have run across. Having numerous artists discussing their approach to portraits with plenty of examples feels like a rare opportunity for someone who isn't still taking courses and has a lack of exposure to mentors. Each artist is introduced with a brief one page Q&A on ten basic questions like their biggest struggles, approach to rendering, words of wisdom, do they use a reference photo, and so on; and then they provide a progression series for their work on one portrait. Very thankful to have this reference available as I continue to push my pencils around.

I am currently trying to improve my technique in drawing portraits with colored pencil . I'm going trough the book slowly , doing all the exercises and trying out the techniques . It's in my case a slow process but enjoyable and interesting . This is a book to digest slowly , learning something new on nearly every page . If you like drawing portraits , try this book . It might surprise you how much your technique improves . I'm very glad I bought it .

Very helpful to get different approaches and techniques, and each little bio includes the paper, pencils, and even the sharpeners that each artist uses. .I thought it was great that some artists also use odorless mineral spirits, while others stick to the more traditional approach. But they all have beautiful results!

I love this book! There is so much information to learn from each of the artists in the book. Definitely inspirational content! This will help me to understand the layering better! Thank you Ann!

I'm in love with this book, the portraits are exquisite. The artists in this book are extremely talented. I found this book very helpful but not very detailed in how each artist rendered their work. I do agree with one previous review that it is extremely expensive for the quality of the book but the work alone is the reason why I would still purchase this book. I agree it should have been hardback. Other than that If you purchase this book you will not be disappointed.

Stunning and educational colored pencil book. I look at it over and over again. The drawings are beautiful and the instructions are so helpful.

I'm giving 4 stars as cover was damaged and price high for not hard back. But there is nothing else to fault. I have been doing pencil portraits for 6 years but still room for improvement and this certainly fits the bill. It is a book not really for beginners. The art work is just stunning. Each artist uses different pencils but if you are advanced enough you can match colours of your own. I can't wait to have a go at lady on the front. The sleeping baby and the girl blowing bubbles. Shame about the cover!

This is a beautiful book with work from 18 different artists with 11 full step by step demos. As well as complete projects there are smaller demonstrations to follow like hair, eyes etc. Although I've only done one project its still a lovely book to look through and read tips and advice from the different artists.

Interesting book but not really what I expected or wanted. Not a beginner's book. And you must have the pencils they use to be helpful. Finally, expensive for what it is. So overall only 3 stars.

Beautiful informative book.

Excellent guide to drawing portraits in coloured pencils. A wide variety of different subjects and styles.