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Deborah Velasquez
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Drawing in Black & White: Creative Exercises, Art Techniques, and Explorations in Positive and Negative Design Kindle Edition

by Deborah Velasquez (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 78 ratings

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“The style of this book is loose and easy, about having fun, and learning to work within the confines of black and white rather than depending on color.” —Art Elements
 
Working with only positive and negative lines and shapes keeps the focus on the basics: composition, balance, and harmony. And using white and black gel, ink, and paint pens on black, tan, and gray papers allows you to experience drawing in a whole new way! Drawing in Black & White is a clever drawing and design book that contains 36 inspiring exercises and a gallery of artwork. Follow the tips and draw on black, gray, and tan paper to learn how different colored papers can make simple images pop. You’ll find lessons on drawing, pattern drawing, drawing with cut paper, and simple collage. Learn to see your drawings a new way by drawing in black and white!
 
“While confined to only two colors, black and white, this guide’s techniques, materials, and tools are not nearly so limited . . . Readers with some experience drawing and painting are the best audience for this guide, but there is plenty here for beginners and advanced artists, too.” —Library Journal
 
“The goal of the book is to let you be familiar with black and white media, to draw and have fun . . . It’s a fun activity book for those who want to dabble with art.” —Parka Blogs

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  1. Print length
    112 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Quarry Books
  4. Publication date
    December 1, 2016
  5. File size
    26.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Deborah Velasquez is an artist-designer and blogger who creates paintings, prints, ceramics, cards, textiles and mobiles. She loves the mix of design, words, art and craft. She studied graphic design and textile and fashion design and has a millinery certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She shows her work in galleries, is active on Etsy and on multiple social media platforms, and ran a successful Kickstarter project to get funding to create a larger art print and textile collection using silkscreen equipment. A Brooklyn original, she now lives the creative life in wooded hills of Pleasant Valley, CT with her husband and two sons.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N16X5F8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quarry Books (December 1, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 1, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 26.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 112 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 78 ratings

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Deborah Velasquez

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
78 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's exercises easy to follow and appreciate its accessible approach. Moreover, they consider it inspiring, with one customer noting it's perfect for independent study. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its color palette, with one review mentioning its use of black and white on colored paper.

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9 customers mention "Ease of use"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to use, with simple exercises and sophisticated drawings, and one customer notes it is presented in an encouraging and accessible manner.

"One of the best tutorials I’ve ever read. This book has a lot of inspirational material...." Read more

"Book is good, with exercises relating to drawing, painting and printing. This can be adapted to painting with colour too!" Read more

"...I also like that the exercises are not time consuming, plus they can be enjoyed by beginners, as well as warmups for experienced artists...." Read more

"...Presented in an encouraging accessible manner, this book will have you making beautiful things in no time." Read more

6 customers mention "Inspiration"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring, with one mentioning it serves as a collection of exercises to develop artistic skills, while another notes it's perfect for starters.

"...I’ve been an artist for most of my life and enjoy reading tutorials for ideas. This book gives you a chance to try some different ideas...." Read more

"...a "how to book" per say, but rather a collection of exercises to help develop artistic skills, which in turn can develop someone's personal..." Read more

"Super inspiring book that shows you how beautiful paring down to the basics - black and white - can be...." Read more

"...would be a little more meaty for us drawing majors, but it's a good practice book." Read more

4 customers mention "Color palette"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the color palette of the book, with one mentioning the use of black and white on colored paper, while another notes the exploration of shapes in black and white.

"...This can be adapted to painting with colour too!" Read more

"...art such as line, shape, space, texture, and form, but it limits color to black and white...." Read more

"...touches on something I have been wanting to try - just using black and white on colored paper, and very open and loose exercises...." Read more

"...exercises and techniques to learn how to draw lines and shapes in black and white, and how to work with patterns, block prints, collage -- even..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • jackel88
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    One of the best tutorials I’ve ever read. This book has a lot of inspirational material. I’ve been an artist for most of my life and enjoy reading tutorials for ideas.
    This book gives you a chance to try some different ideas. It leads in the direction of taking you back to your beginning of being an artist. It brings to mind Picasso‘s adage of going back to draw as a child in some way‘s. It reminds me of projects I had as a young student of art.
    I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to learn more of their craft, beginner or advanced.
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  • Dagny Carolina Opsal
    4.0 out of 5 stars Varied exercises
    Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Book is good, with exercises relating to drawing, painting and printing. This can be adapted to painting with colour too!
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  • Arnoldo Romero
    5.0 out of 5 stars "If it doesn't work in black and white, color isn't going to fix it."
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Although I have a Bachelor in Fine Arts, I still love to buy books that look intriguing and valuable. Ms. Velasquez's book fit both categories, and I was not disappointed. It is not a "how to book" per say, but rather a collection of exercises to help develop artistic skills, which in turn can develop someone's personal style. The exercises cover the elements of art such as line, shape, space, texture, and form, but it limits color to black and white. The latter concept comes from one of the author's design teachers in art school who is quoted saying, "If it doesn't work in black and white, color isn't going to fix it." As an artist, I agree. If you read biographies of the great art masters, they all began their work by conducting studies in their journals in black and white. In addition, the author presents explorations in different media such as pencil, pens, markers black gouache, printing, collage and more. Therefore, most of the exercises do not require a major investment in art materials. I also like that the exercises are not time consuming, plus they can be enjoyed by beginners, as well as warmups for experienced artists. Finally, the book comes with some quality papers in the back that can be used to start some of the exercises. All in all, this is a great book for independent study, but could also be used as a resource for art teachers to get lesson plan ideas.
    32 people found this helpful
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  • Green bean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide for trying something new
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Super inspiring book that shows you how beautiful paring down to the basics - black and white - can be. I like that there are numerous methods shown, besides drawing, such as cut paper, stamping, painting. Presented in an encouraging accessible manner, this book will have you making beautiful things in no time.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Michael Burger
    3.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for starters, little help for professionals.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Full of exercises and approaches with some technique. I was hoping the content would be a little more meaty for us drawing majors, but it's a good practice book.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • PMv
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, easy to follow exercises and great art!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I am a newbie to sketching and have a ton of books and online classes. This book touches on something I have been wanting to try - just using black and white on colored paper, and very open and loose exercises. It's turning out to be as fun and exciting as I had hoped!
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Nick Nardo
    4.0 out of 5 stars I recommend it
    Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Engagingvl explorations and starting points for lesson plans in: contrast, various media, line, shape.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully crafted collection of simple yet sophisticated drawings
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Beautifully crafted collection of simple yet sophisticated drawings. The book has easy-to-follow exercises and techniques to learn how to draw lines and shapes in black and white, and how to work with patterns, block prints, collage -- even includes paper to use to try on your own.
    8 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Haritha
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for beginners
    Reviewed in India on April 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Good book for beginners.. all the basics explained really well ... price could have been a bit less ... it's a little expensive for the content
    Report
  • Ana Carolina Saupe
    4.0 out of 5 stars Muitas boas ideias.
    Reviewed in Brazil on August 21, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Várias ideias para usar caneta e tinta nos desenhos, com breve descrição das técnicas. Um bom livro de inspiração para desenhistas e entusiastas.
    Report
  • ta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    One of the most enjoyable and inspiring technique books I've read. I've only just started the exercises but couldn't resist reading the whole book. Excellent! And I'm finding the simple but effecive exercises very helpful in overcoming procrastination!
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  • Happy Otter
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good to go from drawing to painting
    Reviewed in Canada on March 25, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Good little book with lots of ideas for crafts, card making, etc.
    I teach art and this book got my attention to encourage drawing student to also try painting.
    And I find starting with only black and white is a good idea.
    There area projects that are kind of in between.
    It's less difficult than using colors right away.
    Report
  • VJM
    5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book.
    Reviewed in Canada on December 25, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    A well organized book filled with good ideas for art projects.
    Report

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