Mark Kistler’s Draw Squad

by Mark Kistler

Fireside Books/Simon and Schuster

This is one of my 100 Top Picks!

See the complete review in 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum.

Mark Kistler makes it easy for children to learn professional drawing techniques. Unlike the simplistic (and unrealistic) approach so often used with children--using forms of circles, triangles, and other basics shapes to approximate an image, Kistler teaches them how to draw things as they actually appear.

He focuses on ten key skills: foreshortening, shading, surface, size, contour lines, overlapping, density, shadows, attitude, and daily use.

The book has 30 lessons with nine components to each lesson. Consequently, a lesson should be spread out over a few days or a week. Since “daily use” is one of Kistler’s key skills, he recommends some sort of daily drawing activity—and there are plenty of ideas in the book for that!

The book is illustrated with cartoon characters and interesting graphics, and it's well laid out and easy to follow. Children as young as ages 8 or 9 might be able to work through it independently. With help, children as young as 6 or 7 can complete at least some of the lessons. And it's appealing enough to use through high school level.

Posted 2/ 2008