The Practice and Science of Drawing

First published in 1913 by noted British painter Harold Speed, “The Practice and Science of Drawing” is a timeless and invaluable guide on drawing. In his brilliant and insightful style, Speed shows both the aspiring artist and those who wish to appreciate and understand art the various approaches and theories there are to drawing from the technical and scientific to the more modern and artistic. Speed examines the many important aspects that the beginning artist must consider such as line and mass drawing techniques, proportion, balance, portraits, procedures, and suggested materials. Speed’s classic remains an important teaching tool and includes many practical and helpful exercises so that drawing students have a starting point for their training. As experienced artists know, there is a tension between scientific accuracy versus artistic expression and Speed attempts to help the aspiring artist understand this tension. He seeks to guide them on how to maintain their artistic vision and sentiment while also embracing the scientific approach that is essential to creating realistic effects. Over a hundred years later “The Practice and Science of Drawing” remains an important text for all drawing students and those who wish to further understand art and technique.