The Art of the Line in Drawing: A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Simple, Expressive Drawings

Learn the art of creating elegantly simple line drawings with this step-by-step introduction.

Written and illustrated by French artist Frédéric Forest, who is internationally renowned for his expressive, minimal artwork, The Art of the Line in Drawing presents an overview of his technique and creative process, followed by a series of progressive lessons organized by subject.

• Line Drawing. Definitions, origins, basic skills.
• Supplies. Tools for mark-making, types of paper; choosing the right inks, working with values, additional tools.
• Getting Started. Setting up your workspace, testing your materials, choosing your subject.
• Drawing from a Model. Figures, portraits, hands and feet, other physical details.
• Drawing from a Photograph. Nature, landscapes, still lifes, flowers, cats, horses, wildlife, objects, interiors, buildings, houses.
• Creative Inspirations. Thinking outside the box, same pose, different shapes, looking at what you’ve made, correcting mistakes, choosing the final piece, showcasing your artworks.

The Art of the Line in Drawing gives you the insights and step-by-step tutorials you need to master this expressive approach to drawing.

Frédéric Forest is a world-renowned French artist. He grew up in Annecy, in the French Alps, and studied industrial design at ENSCI / Les Ateliers in Paris. In addition to launching forestgiaconia design studio with Clémentine Giaconia and founding the art and print publisher Grammatical, Frédéric creates drawings and paintings for a wide range of clients, including Allure, Chanel, Dita Eyewear, DMR Jewelers, Einaudi Editore, FSG Books, Harper’s Bazaar, Jane, Kinfolk, Maison Kitsuné, Lancôme, Selfridges London, Skims, and Vogue. He lives in Paris. To see more of Frédéric’s work, visit fredericforest.com and @fredericforest on Instagram.