Everyday Matters: A Memoir by Danny Gregory. Most of my readers probably already own this book, since it is the origin of our yahoo group and the start of this fantastic journey for so many of us. But, if you have not read it, and do not know of it, it is a memoir of the tragic event in Danny's life which started his search for meaning in life and essentially brought him back to art. It is handwritten, and full of his wonderful sketches of everyday things. Thousands and thousands of people all over the world now keep sketch journals because of his inspiring story. 
Fast Sketching Techniques by David Rankin. If you are a slow sketcher, you might want to read this book! There are some key techniques in it that are beneficial for sketching on location, where it's important to get the basic information down quickly! Being able to do perfect drawings is wonderful, but sometimes it isn't practical. Have you ever tried sketching at the zoo and the animals wouldn't hold still long enough? Fast sketching is a skill all artists should have in their arsenal. (My opinion, of course!) 
Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil by J.D.Hillberry. This is the exact opposite of Fast Sketching and I have a lot of admiration for people who have the patience to do this type of drawing! This is the slow, perfect drawing best done at home, in your studio. It too is a great skill to have, even if you don't wish to use it often! Okay, so if you would like a chance to win one of these books, please leave a comment, indicate which book you would like, and make sure you check back next Saturday! I will give three days for the winner to contact me and if I do not hear from him/her, I will draw another name. Good luck everyone!!
Oh I get to leave the first comment, I hope I'm first out of the hat too.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS on your 1st Birthday.
Congrats on your 1st blog birthday! Here is to many more years of sharing your art with us.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, how generous! Congrats and thank you in advance for the chance, I would love that Fast Sketching Techniques book by David Rankin!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! You are offering some awesome books, too. Keep up your wonderful blog! :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like the textures in pencil book! But I'd rather have a print of one of your pieces of art!
ReplyDeleteRevelle
Happy Birthday to your blog Raena! :) I'd really like to learn how to do rapid sketching too. But I think Tanna should be the one having any books since she's the book person. I am already getting a book from Nancy... so I don't believe I'll be getting anything here ^^ Good luck everyone!
ReplyDeleteHi and congrats on your first year!!!! I'd love to win the Everyday Matters Book!!!....good luck to everyone...:0)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Good Luck in your second year!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and many more years hopefully for us!
ReplyDeleteI have joined EDM and have not red Danny's book! So that would be my choice...
Wow...one year...that's great. I don't have any of these books. I would love Dan Gregory's book. I have heard so much about it. Please enter me in your contest. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!! I just noticed a few days ago that it is my first anniversary too. Mine was on March 15th, but all I have to give away is this lousy t-shirt. I really thought you started before me. Looks like we are neck-in-neck, as usual. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday. I thought "Everyday Matters" was a group--now I learn that it's a book! I didn't have the winning lottery numbers today--maybe I can win one of these. A generous idea.
ReplyDeleteHappy one year anniversary! I'd love the Everyday Matters book. What a nice thing to do. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first birthday. From your art I would have thought you had been here much, much longer. Lovely, creative art. Thanks for sharing your art and your thoughtful comments with us.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win the book Drawing Realistic Textures in Pencil.
Happy Blogiversary! Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog. I haven't read Everyday Matters yet so that would be my choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your book choices, if I don't win, I'm going to order the Fast Sketching, sometimes my quick sketching looks fairly primary. Love your site, happy anniversary.
ReplyDeleteYou've only been posting for one year? It doesn't seem like it. My choice would be the Drawing Realistic Textures. I have the other two. I hope you keep on posting and growing along with the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your blog - from silent lurker ;) I am choosing Every Day Maters or Fast sketching techniques ;) Please keep this up!
ReplyDeletenina
Happy blog birthday! I have to agree, it feels like you've been blogging for longer than a year!
ReplyDeleteI would love Fast Sketching Techniques. Thanks for offering them up.
Congratulations on your first birthday! Love your sketches and looking forward to seeing more of them.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have David Rankin's book.
Pick me! Pick me! I could definitely uses the Fast Sketching Techniques. Congrats, by the way. You seem like such a veteran, I didn't know that it's been only a year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice thing to do. I hope I will be the lucky winner of one of these books. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteRosalie
rwrw@comcast.net
Happy blog birthday - may it be the first of many more. Your work is lovely
ReplyDeleteSo nice of you Raena! I would love one of YOUR sketches if I were to win. A Raena original would be PERFECT!! But alas- that's not on the list. The EDM book sounds great too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being such a great blogger and blog friend!
Raena, happy blogversary, and great idea. I already have these books, so please do not enter my name in the drawing. I just wanted to stop by and say hi....
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday & happy Anniversary to a great year of blog life.
ReplyDeleteMari
Happy Birthday to your lovely blog, Raena!
ReplyDeleteIt is very generous of you to offer the books to celebrate. Happy Blog Anniversary! I wish you more years of drawing and sketching.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this first anniversary, Raena! Following your blog has always been (and still is) a real moment of happiness. Many Happy Returns to your blog !
ReplyDeleteAs for the books, if my name were to be picked I'd love to complete my collection with the one I haven't got yet: "Drawing realistic textures in pencil" but I suppose that wouldn't help me sketch faster .... :oD Thanks for the idea, anyway !
Happy birthday! Keep doing what you're doing! And I'll let someone else win a book :)
ReplyDeleteWow Raena! Haven't checked on you for sometime, first time I come back in months, what a great surprise! :) Congratz on your blog!! I moved to a new city so things got very busy and finally I'm all charged up and ready to draw again!! ^_^ Thanks for all your support and nice work you've done!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your first year anniversary! I've really enjoyed all your work and reading your comments! I'm looking forward to your next year of postings. nancy
ReplyDeleteRaena, congratulations on being ONE! looking forward to your drawings in year 2!
ReplyDeleteI'm just here to say congratulations on your one year anniversary! Count me out on the drawing, but count me in on the celebration!
ReplyDeletePretty nice idea! I hope to get one of those books! Also, please take a look at my drawings: http://albergue-man.deviantart.com
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your first year. You look like you are set to have another great one! I look forward to following you on your creative journey!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!!! :)))
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! Count me in! I would love the "Drawing Realistic Textures In Pencil book!! Even if I don't win it, thanks for posting them, I might look into buying one. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary and thanks for telling me about this giveaway when you commented on my first post at my new blog! I'd love the EDM book... I will admit I don't have a copy. I do have the Realistic Textures book but I don't have enough patience to draw like that!
ReplyDeleteSo who won the giveaway? I forgot to check back in! Revelle
ReplyDeleteYou may have already drawn for it and announced a winner, but I would LOVE the Fast Sketching book !! Thanks for being so generous!
ReplyDelete