Drawing the Natural World is a practical and comprehensive guide for artists of all abilities to celebrate through art the beauty of the flora and fauna that make up our planet. The book is divided into the fundamental concepts of art, colour and tone, pattern, texture, line, shape, form, and space These concepts introduce the essential techniques and demonstrate how they can be used in drawing the natural world through practical projects. Further chapters cover the anatomy of animals to ensure posture and gait can be accurately captured, and the fundamentals of composition. There is also an introduction to the different materials and equipment that can be used, and a guide to the basics of drawing. Each of the projects in the book includes a fully illustrated step-by-step sequence to follow, plus helpful tips and advice. There's also background information about the featured animals and plants to broaden the reader's awareness of and connection with the natural world.
Introduction
Materials
Getting Started: Dynamic Drawing
Study Sheets
Chapter 1: Anatomy
Anatomy Essentials: Tetrapods
Posture and Gait
Front Legs
Rear Legs
Anatomy Essentials: Birds
Anatomy Essentials: Insects
Chapter 2: Line
Line Essentials
Contour Drawing
Descriptive Lines
Construction Lines
Chapter 3: Shape
Shape Essentials
Negative and Positive Space
Sight-size Drawing
Comparative Measuring
Drawing Giant Animals
Gesture Drawing
Animal Portraits
Chapter 4: Tone
Tone Essentials
Lighting and Shadows
Using Mid-tone Paper
Chiaroscuro
Sculptured Drawing
Chapter 5: Form
Form Essentials
Planar Analysis
Glass Animals
Three-quarter Views
Creating Roundness
Perceived Volume
Linear Modelling
Chapter 6: Colour
Colour Theory
Colour Mixing
Holly in Ink
Apples in Colouring Pencils
Capturing Light in Pastels
Tropical Fish in Watercolours
Chapter 7: Space
Space Essentials
Linear Perspective
Atmospheric Perspective
Foreshortening
Reclining Poses
Looking Through
Chapter 8: Pattern and Texture
Pattern and Texture Essentials
Contrasting Textures
Stripes
Scales
Hair and Wool
Plumes
Chapter 9: Composition
Composition Essentials
Rule of Thirds
Focal Points
Index
Tim Pond's career spans three decades of working in various media and for various clients, including books, magazines, newspapers, and film. Passionate about the natural world and education, Tim has attracted worldwide critical acclaim for his artwork of animals, landscapes and plants. His artwork has taken him worldwide, from working as the expedition artist with Raleigh International in Alaska to sketching leaves in Mexico's tropical forest. Tim is proud of his affiliations with the Zoological Society of London, The Royal Veterinary College (where he is a guest lecturer on animal movement) and The Royal Society of Biology, where he is on a panel of judges for the Nancy Rothwell Award. He also offers independent art classes where live animals are the life models, often on farms or with owls in museums and at science festivals. His previous books are Watercolour the Natural World, published by GMC Publications and The Field Guide to Drawing & Sketching Animals (Search Press), now published in five languages. He lives in South West London, England.
"Step into the wonderful world of art with Drawing the Natural World by Tim Pond. Whether you're an inspired beginner or a seasoned artist, this comprehensive guide offers fresh inspiration. Each stroke of your pencil is as unique as your handwriting. Pond's focus on fundamental concepts such as proportion, contour, gesture, weight and structure opens the door to seeing the natural world with new eyes. Discover joy in drawing while exploring colour, detail, pattern, and texture. Step-by-step demonstrations and friendly expert advice will boost your confidence and grow your skills. Dive into creativity and self-expression with every line you draw."
– Artists & Illustrators magazine
"Divided into concepts of colour and tone, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space, Tim clearly describes each technique and sets practical step-by-step projects to work through. His work is beautifully reproduced throughout and background information about the featured animals and plants are included to broaden the reader's awareness of the natural world. This is a book to immerse yourself in and learn from to discover your own relationship with nature."
– Leisure Painter magazine
"Profusely illustrated with an informative commentary and step-by-step instructions, Drawing the Natural World is thoroughly 'user friendly' in organization and presentation, making it a welcome, instructive, and highly recommended pick for personal, professional, community library and art school Drawing/Painting instruction collections"
– Mid-West Book Review