You Will be Able to Draw Faces by the End of This Book

This book is really easy to follow! It’s well structured and Spicer has explained clearly the steps that are taken to break down a portrait from simple circles, to adding shape then creating more structure to the shape and so on. I’ve included photos to help give you an idea of the structure inside. I used to draw a lot in school and loved doing portraits, but as I grew up I stopped. I figured what better time to take it up again and get back to doing things I enjoy! And I’m so glad I found this book. And I love the way the book has been designed. I did also get a separate sketchbook so that I can practice regularly what I’ve just learned from each chapter. You do get a few practice pages but it’s usually only two pages so depending how much you want to practice before moving on to the next stage, you may want a sketchbook to hand as well. I try not to linger too long on the same chapter and trust my instincts if I feel it’s getting repetitive staying with the same drawing and to try the next drawing. Overall I’m really happy with the book and it’s been invaluable so far and I highly recommend it for a beginner. My only advice is have fun with it and don’t put pressure on yourself to be perfect on first go. Just enjoy the challenge and try again the next day. I don’t push myself to draw it again in the same day. I admire what I have drawn so far and then try again the next day and I only spend about 15 mins a day on it so that I can build up a routine without tiring myself out.I am a little saddened by people’s reviews that the book is badly made. The strap that goes over the book is actually deliberately removable but can be used again to secure it. It’s not supposed to be attached to the book permanently. Also Spicer has included an exposed spine so that you can lay the pages flat for practice drawing. So this is also not a design flaw and helps the reader to use the practice pages like a sketchbook. I feel those who reviewed these as flaws didn’t quite understand these was intentional and returned too hastily. It’s actually a really thought-out well designed resource. I hope my review helps in your decision to purchase! I highly recommended it!

I've bought a number of books on portrait drawing and have been unable to engage with them. I found by the time I finished reading the impulse to draw had left me. Jake Spicers book did the opposite, I liked the sections where you can actually draw in the book this will help when i revisit particular sections. I also worked alongside it with a sketchbook. Its laid out in easy to follow sections to work through. And yes, by the end of the book I can draw a reasonable likeness of a face. Its a great buy for the budding artist whatever their age.

This book looks really good. There are lots of different activities to try. The back has a bit of damage unfortunately however this doesn't effect the book

I love the Jake Spicer guide books. They offer good advice on quality exercises and that is important when learning and practicing drawing techniques.I have 3 in the range so far and highly recommend them to anyone just starting out learning to draw as they are very accessible.Even for someone like me who has studied at college and needs a refresher after a few years of not putting the time in.Remember, the journey to better drawing is more enjoyable if you have fun with it and don't put yourself down for not improving fast enough. Good quality exercises and practice will help you out.Good luck and have fun.

Very informative! And completely different to the other three books in this set! Has really helped my friend learn how to draw better!

I like this book but you have to be patient. Yes you may learn to draw a face by the end of this book but you can't just rush through it and learn it takes a lot of practice! I am artistic but have neve mastered faces and after doing this for a few hours I'm getting there.

A brilliant book - I’m really enjoying trying all the different exercises (you draw straight into the book) and I can already feel my observational/drawing skills improving. It’s amazing!

Good, but... it would be nice to have more of a variety of people to draw. The same damn guy with a stupid bowl haircut is on no fewer than 24 pages! Eight billion people in the world and we're doing bowl cut man repeatedly. I want to learn to draw faces, plural, not the same awful haircut over and over.In spite of that annoyance, I think the book is generally pretty good, though I think the ordering of activities needs work. Task one, right off the bat: draw a self-portrait. Well, if I could do that already then I wouldn't need the book. The task is useful inasmuch as it gives the artist a snapshot of how awful they are at portraits, and they can compare their drawings to that monstrosity along the way to see improvement!I like drawing in the book, it feels less daunting than drawing in my own sketchbook. And my portrait drawings are now just about recognisable if I draw someone really famous!