20 Ways to Draw a Tree Eloise Renouf

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· 229 ratings · 23 reviews

Start your review of 20 Ways to Draw a Tree and 44 Other Nifty Things from Nature: A Sketchbook for Artists, Designers, and Doodlers

May 09, 2014 Nicole rated it it was ok

This book is weird. Other than the introduction and the title headings of the various "20 Things" drawn on the page, there is no text. And it's not all really drawing either. There is a lot of printing. I think I read that the author is a textile designer and so I'm sure she is familiar with coming up with many versions of drawing/printing/painting things and the long list of things chosen is interesting. I think I'd just copy the list and forget the rest. I wasn't very inspired, because to me, This book is weird. Other than the introduction and the title headings of the various "20 Things" drawn on the page, there is no text. And it's not all really drawing either. There is a lot of printing. I think I read that the author is a textile designer and so I'm sure she is familiar with coming up with many versions of drawing/printing/painting things and the long list of things chosen is interesting. I think I'd just copy the list and forget the rest. I wasn't very inspired, because to me, the author used materials I don't have or want access to. I expected 20 interesting ways - and perhaps a few creative suggestions on HOW - to DRAW various items, but that is not what this is. ...more

Mar 19, 2015 Karen rated it it was amazing

You don't really "read" this book. But, as a serious doodler, I have needed this book all my life and just didn't know it! 40 different nature themes from trees to moths to pine cones. My name is written inside in permanent ink because I will never give this book away! You don't really "read" this book. But, as a serious doodler, I have needed this book all my life and just didn't know it! 40 different nature themes from trees to moths to pine cones. My name is written inside in permanent ink because I will never give this book away! ...more

Andreia❤Passionate about Butterflies❤&Nature Lover

Wonderful collection of a great scope of variations on the themes to copy and/or be inspired by. No text beyond the introduction, no step by step instructions, just drawings in different styles and techniques and room to do your own. I think that makes you look a lot closer at how they were done and think through if you want to do them exactly the same way or make some changes right from the start.

Not the sort of book I usually read, but lockdown's got me reaching out of my comfort zone, and into the unknown. So I can't compare this against other "20 ways to draw" books, or other sorts of books in the drawing genre.

It was an incredibly liberating book: instead of telling the reader the "right" way to draw X in one style, there were 20 different drawings/ doodles and plenty of space to try to draw the ones that looked coolest. Peacefully doodling in this book was a relaxing way to spend th

...more

When I saw this book, I thought it might be a good exercise to draw something in 20 different ways. But when I started reading I saw nothing different, nothing creative, I just saw more of the same things that I saw every day. It's just a book with cute drawings, lacking explanations and with the same old same old... When I saw this book, I thought it might be a good exercise to draw something in 20 different ways. But when I started reading I saw nothing different, nothing creative, I just saw more of the same things that I saw every day. It's just a book with cute drawings, lacking explanations and with the same old same old... ...more

Sep 24, 2015 Stef rated it liked it

Some of the doodles are a little one-note and I wasn't into the filler blank pages. Still, this book has some interesting ideas in regard to doodling, and mimicking some of them while drinking tea was a relaxing way to spend the evening. Some of the doodles are a little one-note and I wasn't into the filler blank pages. Still, this book has some interesting ideas in regard to doodling, and mimicking some of them while drinking tea was a relaxing way to spend the evening. ...more

This was fun, I really want to challenge myself to draw 20 of everything in nature, establish a quick personal shorthand for frequently drawn things.

I've got to stop reading books, based on nothing but their titles. Not instructional in the slightest - so boo - but full of great ideas for art journalling. I've got to stop reading books, based on nothing but their titles. Not instructional in the slightest - so boo - but full of great ideas for art journalling. ...more

Mar 27, 2020 Eva rated it liked it

I expected it to actually include instructions on how to draw a tree in 20 different ways – instead it's only a list of pictures (even without any information on what materials were used). Nevertheless it's great for inspiration :) I expected it to actually include instructions on how to draw a tree in 20 different ways – instead it's only a list of pictures (even without any information on what materials were used). Nevertheless it's great for inspiration :) ...more

The art is nice, but this is basically just a reference book. Monkey see, monkey attempt to replicate. Not what I wanted, which was guidance. If you just want some references of variations to draw, this may be for you.

May 20, 2018 Joan54 rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this book and think it will help in my basic drawing skills.
Lots of ideas too for my future embroidery work.

Examples of drawings. Very little instruction.

This is not a reading book, it's more to refer to and doodle/sketch/journal in. It is not instructional at all which is what I was hoping for. I was wanting something that would teach me some basic doodles for things from nature, step by step. This does technically have various doodles for you to try and copy but no instructions on how to make them. It is also weird because some themes/topics it has one page that is full of their doodles and then one blank or mostly blank page for you to fill in This is not a reading book, it's more to refer to and doodle/sketch/journal in. It is not instructional at all which is what I was hoping for. I was wanting something that would teach me some basic doodles for things from nature, step by step. This does technically have various doodles for you to try and copy but no instructions on how to make them. It is also weird because some themes/topics it has one page that is full of their doodles and then one blank or mostly blank page for you to fill in with your own doodles. Others they are spread all over two pages so if you wanted to add your own doodles you would have to do smaller ones between theirs. It was interesting to look at, but not something I would personally spend my money on. I checked a copy out at the library for free. ...more

Sep 18, 2016 Heather rated it liked it

Wasn't quite what I was expecting. It reminds me more of 20 clip-art of several different nature subjects, with no how-to tips or steps. I did enjoy nonetheless trying my hand at sketching/doodling several of the various types of trees, bees, and other things. Still hoping to find something else with more instruction that looks a little more realistic with learning to sketch for nature journalling purposes. Wasn't quite what I was expecting. It reminds me more of 20 clip-art of several different nature subjects, with no how-to tips or steps. I did enjoy nonetheless trying my hand at sketching/doodling several of the various types of trees, bees, and other things. Still hoping to find something else with more instruction that looks a little more realistic with learning to sketch for nature journalling purposes. ...more

Sep 12, 2014 Dunja Radulov rated it it was amazing

"A fine-line pen will give clean, crisp, and controlled lines. A dip pen and ink will give a looser line that varies in weight. Painterly brushstrokes give energy and suggest movement. Paint spread on acetate and then scratched into before being pressed onto paper gives texture and depth. An edge of card dipped in paint and used as a printing tool gives random and unique marks." "A fine-line pen will give clean, crisp, and controlled lines. A dip pen and ink will give a looser line that varies in weight. Painterly brushstrokes give energy and suggest movement. Paint spread on acetate and then scratched into before being pressed onto paper gives texture and depth. An edge of card dipped in paint and used as a printing tool gives random and unique marks." ...more

The examples were very nice. I read the online version on Safari. As a workbook it works well, but I disagreed with the order of black pages to examples. I feel like the examples should be after what you are drawing because it's too easy to want to just copy her doodles. The examples were very nice. I read the online version on Safari. As a workbook it works well, but I disagreed with the order of black pages to examples. I feel like the examples should be after what you are drawing because it's too easy to want to just copy her doodles. ...more

I just made an ATC using one of the Mushrooms in the book and I can't wait to make more art with the fun drawings. This book is the ultimate enabler for the wanna-be-artist! No more blank pages or drawing-block! I just made an ATC using one of the Mushrooms in the book and I can't wait to make more art with the fun drawings. This book is the ultimate enabler for the wanna-be-artist! No more blank pages or drawing-block! ...more

Inspiring and fun for the visual and casual artist or crafts person. Lots of ideas here that can be applied to whatever you want to draw. You can either draw right in the book or use the ideas to draw in your sketchbook or journal.

Dec 04, 2014 Naomi rated it really liked it

To say I "read" this book is a bit of a misnomer. 2 pages of text & author's bio at the end. If you enjoy doodling and just need samples to start with, this is great. To say I "read" this book is a bit of a misnomer. 2 pages of text & author's bio at the end. If you enjoy doodling and just need samples to start with, this is great. ...more