Contemporary Drawing: Key Concepts and Techniques Hardcover – April 19, 2011

Margaret Davidson's New Book, "Contemporary Drawing: Key Concepts and Techniques" is an amazing work. It does something few books of this type do -- it explores new ideas in original ways. First, it elevates the status of drawing. Ms. Davidson shows us that drawing is not an art form second to painting, but an art form in its own right. Second, she talks about formal issues that, as far as I know, have not been covered in as much depth in other drawing guides. For example, the first two chapters of the book, "Surface" and "Mark", talk about the interrelationship between the paper and the drawing instrument used. I particularly liked her discussion of Georges Seurat as the first artist to fully employ the texture of the paper.This is a book I will be enthusiastically recommending to all my students.Subsequent chapters correspond to other formal issues contemporary drawing artists must think about, like space, composition, scale, and even intentionality. In so many places I am exposed to new concepts I had not thought about before: mark-making by fire (!), gravity, or propulsion; drawing on both sides of translucent paper, the modern compositional structure of "overallness"; or the truth of the flatness of the surface ... and it goes on. There is also very in-depth information about materials -- about every conceivable type of drawing media and drawing instrument, plus 14 pages on paper alone!It should be noted that "Contemporary Drawing" is not a "how-to" guide that will teach you how to draw (angles, measuring, proportion, negative space, etc.,), as in the tradition of Betty Edward's "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" or Brian Curtis' "Drawing from Observation." Instead, we are shown how to think like contemporary drawing artists. Ms. Davidson takes us beyond the "what" of drawing (subject matter) and into the realm of the "how" and "why."This book is also beautifully designed (appropriately) in a very contemporary style. There are something like 90 examples by contemporary drawing artists (including Ms. Davidson's own), plus dozens of other informative photographs and diagrams.For the serious drawing artist, or even the layperson who wants to get a true glimpse into what picture-making is all about, this book is a must. I hope it becomes the definitive reference on contemporary drawing. It deserves to be.

I like that different styles and different artists were included.

Un libro muy útil para los interesados en el dibujo como expresión artística contemporánea.Lo compré usado en muy buen estado.

I ordered this book because I thought it might really give a broad review of contemporary drawing. It did not. It emphasized the very narrow perspective of the author, focused on photographic realism and endless repetition. It was illustrated with many of her own drawings and those who draw like her. I would have titled it, "Boring Drawings by Margret and her Friends." If, however, you think there is something interesting about meticulously drawing a bath towel or skein of wool, showing every one of the millions of fibers and the shadow cast by each, you might be interested in this book,My bias here is that I believe that art is more about exploring and discovering that which has not yet been discovered, and creating images that are intrinsically interesting and less about demonstrating the skill of the artist in photographic reproduction or a rational preciseness. So, I am looking for other books like Kaupelis, "Experimental Drawing," Steven Aimone, "Expressive Drawing," Maslen and Southern, "Drawing Projects," and the books by Bert Dodson.

This is a highly informative study of drawing as an end in itself. Some drawing surfaces were new to me and inspiring.

Be forewarned, this book is an out of date vanity publication with primary purpose being to advertise the artworks of the author.That said, the drawings are boring. I was lured to purchase because the cover art I do find interesting. However NOTHING no other drawing here is anywhere as eye-catching as the drawing used for the cover.This book pretends to be state of the art. There never was an art popular in the style dominating which is that of the author. Beware the so called teaching manuals published by Watson-Guptill.

So very encouraging to see a book on contemporary drawing published by such a mainstream art-how-to publisher as Watson Gutpill. Davidson explores what modern and contemporary drawing can be and do in a very earnest and thoughtful manner. I might disagree with a point here and there... the focus is more left-brained than I might prefer...and the text could use a bit of additional editing... but this volume stands as an important contribution to the literature about contemporary drawing nonetheless. Highly recommend!

Not about everything that is going on in drawing, but a valuable addition that stands out from that vast array of "how to" books so popular now.Solid information about various aspects of what is happening now without the cheap tricks and gimmicks. Extremely worthwhile.

An exquisite book that takes drawing into a contemporary realm.It introduces new ideas and ways of working. Aimed at a professional artist or artist who has mastered the fundamentals and wants something more.

Very interesting book about a contemporary approach to drawing.

Exactly what I was looking for!

very arty and thought provoking. bought as part of my art course and I liked it a lot.

A must if you're interested in the subject.