Framed Drawing Techniques: Mastering Ballpoint Pen, Graphite Pencil, and Digi...

Pros: 1) Combines the linear (Botticelli, Durer, Tiepelo, Rubens ) traditions with the shading( Caravaggio, Micheangelo , Raphael) and creates a good synthesis between both approaches within the context of the graphic novel modern approach. This is not an easy task. 2) Gives a great inkers like approach so it carries on the Ernie Chan and Rudy Nebres feel of the great inking from the old Conan series. 3) Dwells more on line as the dominant force and light and shading as the secondary force which is different from most artbooks, since line is not lost due to over emphasis on photorealistic shading. Light and shadow are there but in support of linear flow , so it is not burdened with over rendering where line is lost to light , shade and volume, a nice balance of both approaches. Linear art never gives way to photorealism dominance. The author is his own man as an artist. 4) A nice a variety of to the point examples, each block of text has a specific illustration for only that verbal point being made. 5) A very broad sweep of a lot of concepts but presented in an immediate way almost like a technique cookbook 6) Excellent written communication into the artist frame of mind......not just what he does, but how he thinks about what he does. 7) A really well thought out book CONS: 1) Sometime the pages can be cluttered with too much going on in one page , a little cramped at times. 2) The examples can verge on the point of over styled designs , but that emphasis is to support the point being made so that breaking point goes to just the edge, the emphasis being more from the point of view of a graphic novel. 3) The artists never comes to grip with line as its own device (like Durers woodcuts) so in this context he is constrained by the objective flow of light representing the departure point for line, but constrained by the physical reality of the reference photo, which creates a more angular physical stylistic reality approach as opposed to line for lines sake. 6) The graphic pencil and computer section becomes a little less interesting because it ends up with the block like approach like Manets paintings , so mass and volume really do not play well with the first section where his ice skating ballpoint pen dominates. In general it is a great broad sweep with something for everyone, the CONS are more my personal preference than about the overall book. I am happy that I bought it, and learned a lot of little tips , in a very concise way. I do not think you will regret it, even if you are not into the graphic novel approach. If you are expecting the level of depth of the linear process like Durer or Rubens , this books just sort of gets there, it is just too blocky , chunky and angular linear to get the true Baroque flow or Gothic mix, a good balance to this artist books would be the Engraving Works of Martin Schoengauer, Durers Woodcuts, and any books on Rubens paintings or drawings. Pure Grey scale shading on its own is the death of lines. As far as bang for the book ....a great book all around.......Long live ......LINES!!!

I draw with pencil using a hatching style that is similar to pen and ink. I am an advanced beginner/retarded intermediate. I want to add BP pen as an adjunct. Hence this purchase. Printed on heavy, glossy paper. The book focuses on rendering values and volume by linework, especially hatching. He also goes into detail on dark light value patterns. There are detailed discussions of line weights, directions, how multiple sets of lines work together etc. The authors drawings often use washes. I get the impression that all of his drawings have had some digital processing but the lessons are completely relevant to hand work. This book is amazing. If you want to learn how to use language of hatching and lines in general, this is a goldmine. Every paragraph has yielded some specific, useful insight into how to apply lines. This book is not about mimicing his style, it teaches the language of linework that you can use for yourself. There are some specific drills, but most of the book consists of example drawings with detail analysis of the lines in various parts. The The first two sections are on BP pen and Graphite. The last is on "Digital Inking" which is not my thing at all. Nevertheless, after initial disappointment, I found that most of the commentary was useful in general and could be directly applied to brush and ink work. The author is a master with a powerful narrative style of his own. The book is worth the price just for the drawings.

I am an illustrator and fine artist. This is the second book I've purchased by Mr. Mateu-Mestre. It arrived today and I sat right down and devoured the whole thing. I've learned so much from his global treatment of visual storytelling. I'm one that can get lost in the details of a piece. The techniques in his books help me focus on the frame or "whole" of a piece as well as keeping the "why " firmly in mind. And his philosophy of art and being an artist, alone, is worth the price of his books. He grew up in a home where art and art skill was revered. He also studied with some great pros. I grew up in an environment hostile to art, and society wasn't any better as an adult. I didn't get to go to art school. I had to learn how to go against the grain of society to carve a life suited to making art. Mr. Mateu-Mestre's philosophy is a light unto my path. Thank you, sir!

This is a fantastic read with lots of great information. Few books are this well done, especially considering the company of all the Framed collection of books. Even if you're not a comic artist or inker, you will find some valuable information within this books covers. It is a worthy edition to any artist's library!

Bought as a present for a family member who was really tickled with it.

This book was packed with great tips - not as much a learn to draw book as a "now you can draw a little, let's push the envelope" book! The author's drawings are amazing and inspirational... I couldn't stop sketching as I read through the book. This earned a spot at the front of my drawing book library.

What an absolutely fantastic book. I am confident the book will help you learn how to render your artwork better. The concepts taught are solid, and applying what is presented in the book will definitely improve your work. Being confident in your line-work is a must, and this book will help you learn how to improve. I am an artist and I love collecting art books specifically geared toward comic art, and I can definitely rank this book among the best books I own on the subject. Along with Framed Perspective 1&2 and Framed Ink by the same Author, you will be well equipped on your art journey. Thanks Marcos Mateu-Mestre for another fantastic book.

I own all Marco's Mateu-Mastre's books and while each one is a must for a serious artist or illustrator, this in my opinion is his best yet. The various drawing/rendering techniques in the book are clearly described as well as the thought process behind them. I'm a professional designer working in the film business and really appreciate a good book when I see one. Mateu-Mastre does a great job of explaining the drawing techniques he's chosen to cover, but more importantly this book really address the elements that make an individual drawing a success. I have no doubt that I'll read "Framed Drawing Techniques" over and over again!