Draw in 10 Minutes: Botanicals: Learn How to Draw in 50 Quick Sketches

This guide by nature artist Tildesley is for beginner and intermediate artists who want to develop and nurture their drawing skills in the field of botanicals. The author begins by showing readers how to follow each example line-by-line to create their own complete drawings in very little time. Tildesley provides a list of tools and materials required for both painting and drawing and then divides the book into four sections: fruits and vegetables; flowers; cones, berries and foliage; and cacti and succulents. The instructions are encouraging and easy to follow, and the author leads readers through exercises that will help them identify flora in nature and draw the essence of each plant. After the drawing is complete, artists can use Tildesley’s color palette and suggestions to make the botanicals come to life on the page. There are familiar fruits and vegetables such as cherries and eggplant, and less well-known options such as alstroemeria and haworthia—something fun for artists and gardeners. VERDICT: In addition to helping readers to develop drawing skills, this book emphasizes the meditative practice and relaxing benefits of drawing and is a worthwhile purchase. -- Erin Dagenais * Library Journal * If you have little or no experience of drawing plants, then you will find this slim volume helpful. Each of the fifty botanical subjects are set out on a double page spread with a step-by-step guide to creating the finished drawing. For each subject there is also a simple guide to colouring the subject and in the introduction the author has given a basic guide to watercolour painting. The strength of the book lies in the clear and easy to understand line drawings which beginners will enjoy following and they may even be able to complete a subject in ten minutes. The tutorials cover four main areas: fruits and vegetables; flowers; cones, berries and foliage; and cacti and succulents. Along with the step-by-step drawings, a ‘colour me’ section for each plant subject is well set out and, in each case, gives details of the colours used by the author. It will possibly be difficult for beginners to achieve the same results as the author without more instruction in watercolour techniques – this book does not delve into that detail but is intended instead to develop drawing skills and offer short activities that can build confidence. -- Annie Morris * Association of Botanical Artists *