Drawing for Joy: 15-Minute Daily Meditations to Cultivate Drawing Skill and Unwind with Color--365 Prompts for Aspiring Artists Paperback – July 1, 2017

I LOVE this book!! The design of the book is beautiful and well thought out. It begins with a quick Mindfulness Meditation which is encouraged before you start each daily drawing. I have always found coloring to be very relaxing and I'm excited to intentionally begin my art process with mediation.The Essentials are discussed next which include a brief description of pens, pencils, markers and erasers that you may want to use. The author mentions what she prefers to use as well as other brands that work well. I really appreciate her suggestions as I've never heard of some of these utensils!The Elements of Art are then discussed and these are referred to as the building blocks which include areas like color, texture and space.The Daily drawing prompts are then grouped into Themed Weeks and watching the progression is exciting! I admittedly don't know much about drawing but I know I enjoy coloring. Whenever I see the Starbucks cups that people have turned into beautiful works of art I am always in awe and slightly jealous! I want to do that but I've never felt like I knew where to start. After reading through this book I feel like I will have all the tools necessary to create my own Starbucks cup art as well as many more pieces ;)My favorite unexpected treat from this book.... my five year old son sat next to me at the kitchen table while I worked on my Day 1 exercise. He enjoyed watching me so much that he got out his notebook and pencils to "work with me". I just placed an order for his own Drawing for Joy book so we can create together!Many thanks to the artist/author for such a wonderful book!

As a life long stick figure doodler, it was time to stretch outside my comfort zone. Did I mention that my stick figures look the same as they did when I first drew them 55 yrs ago in kindergarten? I bought a few learn to draw books but wasn't happy with them. They didn't cover supplies and mechanics of drawing, nor break it down by showing examples. Then this gem of a book arrived! Nicely laid out, organized, and daily art starts. Pointers and tips, and even I am impressed by how much I've learned. Buying a few more for Christmas.On a side note, I have found using colored pencils has made it easier as I'm a little older and my hands shake. The pressure of the colored pencil lead on paper helps me draw straighter lines. The red gel pen i tried to use made my sketches look like an EKG that went wild.

Used but in great condition. Arrived by expected dated, we'll wrapped.

I received this book as a gift, and actually just bought another one to give to a friend. The book mixes really practical and simply presented instruction with exercises that are freeing, and, as the title states, JOYFUL! As an artist I sometimes get blocked or stuck, and I have been using the book reconnect me with the reasons I make art in the first place. Stephanie Peterson Joneses illustrations are delightful, and honestly, the whole book is a lovely meditation on what it means to be creative, and why we sorely need to do a little drawing every day!

I'm only two days into using this book, but already I'm loving it! I've shown my daughters this book and now they each want one too, to work on it with me. The 1st day is simply drawing different kinds of lines. I ended up with a ton of ideas, and never realized how simple it can be to spruce up a page with just some fun lines. I also love that each day's practice only takes about 15 minutes, making it easier to fit it in to my super busy days.

I am having so much fun with this book. I am not artistic, but I can follow the exercises. I look forward to it everyday. I feel with practice, I will become better at drawing. I do find that it helps me concentrate and focus on being in the moment.

As an illustrator, painter and art educator, I can think of no better a manual for the recreational a artist to learn to draw. I highly recommend the exercises for anyone who wants to explore and expand their creativity. It comes complete with an artistic license, so that participants may draw freely without fear of being pulled over by the art police. a copy of "Drawing for Joy" would be a great investment, the return being hours of fun. Never mind the fact that my sister is the author.

I ordered this for my Kindle Paperwhite, only to realize it must be a type of workbook, because there are "fill in these designs" graphics which - of course - you cannot do on a Kindle. Otherwise, it seems to be a fine book. I've only just started, and it's more doodling right now, but I'm sure it will get more detailed as I go. Just wish I had ordered the actual book. :(

Book just as described. The exercises are perfect for beginners.

Es macht ganz viel Spass mit diesem Buch zeichnen zu lernen und regt die eigene Kreativität an!

For decades I have sat before a keyboard and a screen (but hey, at least I learned how write and communicate with the use a pen and paper which is more than can I can say for many of the young people I encounter today – for whom digital comms rule!). One day I realised that my life was defined by this activity and decided to see if I had any artistic qualities whatsoever. The honest answer is that, even with the help of this great book, I don’t have many!With that said, the plentiful practical tips in this marvellous tome has introduced me to the basics of drawing and increased my appreciation of the occasional people who I meet and say that they are ‘artists’ (I intend to go out of my way to meet more). With the help of the knowledge gained here, I have two further aims: 1) Try to not to be such a Neanderthal when it comes to appreciating paintings and drawings; and 2) to eventually depict a human being on paper beyond what is recognised as the ‘matchstick men’ school of drawing. I recognise that have some way to go…

Cumple con el objetivo de brindar algunas pautas básicas al principiante y aprender a dibujar cosas simples dedicándole pocos minutos al dia.

Have had a decent look through this book and can’t wait to start.Great variety of projects for each week and they appear to continue building in skill level.