Strokes of Genius 4: Exploring Line (Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing, 4)

The Strokes of Genius books are among some of the very best books of art I have ever seen. This one, Exploring Line, is no slouch in that department. The contributors are talented, imaginative artists who don't do drawings...they do AMAZING drawings full of imagination and beauty. The book is divided into sections...portraits, scapes, still life, figures, and animals. None of these sections have a "standard" or typical presentation of the subject, because the artists have given each drawing such life, such depth and imagination, that you find yourself lost in the pages.I highly recommend any of the Strokes of Genius books, but I think this one might be my favorite.If you're the type who learns by closely looking at a piece of art, by studying the "hand" of the artist in that work, you will love this book. It's not a "how to" book. It's a beautiful book of art.

Rachel Rubin Wolf does an outstanding job of assembling drawing artwork from many talented artists. If you love drawing, you will love this volume. Volume 4 continues in the same fine tradition as Volumes 1, 2, and 3. If you love to look at drawings and study drawing techniques, you should purchase any of the Strokes of Genius volumes. You will not regret it.

This series constantly inspires me to try new aims in my drawing. I love seeing what other pencil artists are doing. Although the 4th book has a bit more abstract works than I (a realist) would prefer, I know they can't be directed exactly at what I like. Overall it's the best art series I have in my collection.

I have purchased all of the "Strokes of Genius" books. I love drawing and it is so interesting to see what materials and techniques the artists in these wonderful books have used to create their great pictures. I will be waiting for "Strokes of Genius 5" to come out next!

Recommended to me by a friend. Enjoyed the many different ways to portray subject matter. I am eagerly awaiting the release of Strokes of Genius 5

A wonderful book----well designed----great Art-work---and i am honored to be in it---Northlight offers artists of all stripes excellent venues for their work!---and thanks to Amazon for offering values like this to the public---take a bow.Paul Melia/artist-----Jan, 2014

A GOOD EXAMPLE OF ALL YOU CAN DO WITH A PENCIL , TALENT AND DEDICATION. NOT ALL THE DRAWINGS ARE GOOD BUT REFLECT VARIOUS TECHNICS. OF ALL THE DRAWINGS IN THE BOOK I CAN'T FIND 10 THAT I THINK ARE VERY GOOD.

quick work

These volumes in the “Strokes of Genius” series are always interesting and nice to leaf through, but they do tend to follow the same format and contain much the same balance of work.This fourth in the series is very typical; subtitled “Exploring Line” there aren't that many works in the collection that justify such a specific reference. There are some 140 illustrations by 100 artists beautifully printed on heavy glossy art paper; most of them are monochrome due to the favoured graphic tools of graphite or charcoal and capture the nuances of the media; when coloured media is employed the excellence of the reproduction really shows – it has to be said that the presentation of the artworks is first rate.The work is fairly mainstream, realistic, with a few looser or abstract approaches from some artists but the impression is of the dominance of a rather photographic realism which is very American and perhaps a little mannered.It is good work, well-executed, but I personally don't subscribe to any notion that the photographic image has a primacy over the personal vision of the trained artist.The artists selected are a mix of traditional fine artists or illustrators and all are either professionally trained or of that standard - a contact listing is provided on the back pages.Texts are limited to brief artist's statements on their work and additional comments highlighting aspects of the works on particular pages.Do use the “Look inside” option above if its available to get an idea of the format; there is work to please everyone in this recommendable collection.

I have all the series of the Strokes of Genius and this latest edition just keeps up the amazingly high standard. Brilliant drawings wonderfully presented. Recommended

Excellent choice of drawings, good quality of photos, very inspiring.

Tandis que je surfais sur mon site préféré à la recherche de bouquins pour étoffer mes cours de dessin adultes, je suis tombée sur cette absolue merveille!La collection "Strokes of genius" présente par thèmes (l'ombre et la lumière, la ligne, la composition, nouveaux points de vue...) des dessins d'une beauté, d'une qualité, d'une virtuosité telle que les mots me manquent...140 pages d'inimaginable talent réunissant tous les styles, du croquis à l'encre de chine et encres de couleurs, en passant par le dessin réaliste, le dessin brumeux de grain (presque une illusion), le crayon de couleur et tant d'autre choses...Pour ma part je les ai tous commandés ( et jamais je n'ai aussi judicieusement dépensé mon argent dans des livres de dessin), et j'ai même revu la structure de mon cours tant j'ai voulu faire profiter mes étudiants de ces possibilités créatives. Pourtant je connais le dessin on peut le dire, mais là je n'avais jamais rien vu d'aussi beau. C'est en anglais mais ça parle tout seul haut et fort. Une absolue et pure émotion pour le dessinateur.Cela faisait longtemps que je n'avais pas été "scotchée" comme ça...

Beau livre, inspirant