From Library Journal
Hammond, who runs a successful school of illustration in Kansas, has been a prolific writer for North Light books since 1994. This brief volume wisely confines itself to work only in colored pencil. The author breaks down the subtle shapes of different bird species into an assembly of easily rendered forms and explores five elements of shading for creating depth and realism. The details of beaks, feathers, and so forth are demonstrated before the student attempts portrayals of kestrels, parrots, ducks, and finches. Hammond ably packs the teaching of a much larger volume into a mere 80 pages. This is an excellent companion to Bart Rulon's exhaustive Artist's Photo Reference: Birds (LJ 3/15/99). Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Designed to foster artistic skills, build confidence and establish a love for drawing, Lee Hammond's best-selling books deliver what every new artist wants: immediate success. She makes the art of drawing birds in colored pencil easy and fun—even for beginners. Lee provides start-to-finish instructions that ensure great results every time. Her unique methods help beginning artists break down even the most complex images into an assembly of easily rendered shapes. That's what makes the difference! Readers will also learn about the five elements of shading—invaluable techniques for creating depth and realism—along with step-by-step advice for rendering small details as bird anatomy, color, markings beaks, feet and feathers. From American Kestrels to Red Tailed Hawks to everything in between, they'll find all the instruction they need to draw gorgeous birds.Lee Hammond is the author of seven Discover Drawing series titles, three Drawing in Color series titles, How to Draw Lifelike Portraits from Photographs, and How to Draw Portraits in Colored Pencil from Photographs. She lives in Overland Park, Kansas.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal