Draw Stunning, Soulful Animals

Beginning and experienced artists alike will delight in these lessons from accomplished wildlife artist Robert Louis Caldwell, as he shares the techniques behind his finely detailed pencil drawings.

A book for those who prefer to learn by doing, Draw Realistic Animals features 14 step-by-step demonstrations with subjects ranging from domestic pets to birds, reptiles, big cats, and elephants. In-depth instruction shows how to develop a composition, build movement into the drawing, where to push the darks, and tips for lifting key highlights and teasing out finishing details to bring animals to life in graphite.

• 14 demonstrations tackle a variety of subjects and backgrounds, with specific focus on techniques for drawing fur, scales, feathers, and more
• Hands-on lessons clarify the basic concepts of drawing: value, shape, form, lighting, and composition
• Includes expert advice on using reference photos to create strong, orignial compositions

There are no tricks. It's simply a matter of seeing the subject in terms of basic shapes, then using value shifts to build layers and create volume. From these humble beginnings, you'll learn how to evoke that essential spark that elevates shades of gray graphite to living, breathing wildlife art.