Claudia Nice (1948–2021)

One of my favorite reads of the year so far! I loved this book so very much. I'm a VERY new hobbyist that couldn't even draw a week or so ago so I'm reading as many books as possible on how-to. Nice sets out explanations, lessons and examples that are full of information but at the same time not condescending nor overwhelming. It really helps that she puts side by side comparisons in her explanations as well which allowed me to see where I am then where I could possibly go with enough show more practice. It not only reinforces the lesson, it also encourages. I was just very glad to find a drawing instruction that wasn't vague or snobbish.

it's VERY approachable for a beginner with highlights of the author's own works in very good clarity. I'm going to return this ebook to my library and buy my own copy from Amazon to keep for reference. show less

I've got a couple of books already by Claudia Nice and really love her work. She seems to specialise in ink drawings with watercolour washes but uses a vast range of techniques. This particular book is devoted to keeping a journal. It's thorough, focused and helpful. Lots of examples of her own work and suggestions for keeping a journal ...and the different kinds of sketchbook journals that one may want to keep, for example; a theme around a subject of special interest (like horses), a show more discovery journal, a travel journal. a reference journal, an in-depth study journal (like details of architectural features), a sketchbook of the imagination, etc. She also suggests writing in the journal to record useful facts...and her own writing is incredible. (At least i assume that it is her own writing and not some special font).
I guess her style would not appeal to everybody but I certainly like it and she is very generous in sharing her insights and ideas and techniques.
And she ranges across graphite pencil sketches, pen and ink, coloured pencil, watercolour, and various combinations of these. There is no coverage of oil painting...though I guess this does not lend itself to a sketchbook.
Lots of great examples there from her own work and I guess that this is one way that she can publish her own work rather than having it just sitting in journals in a drawer somewhere.
Must confess that I really liked it and it was very easy to read. So five stars from me. show less

One of my favorite reads of the year so far! I loved this book so very much. I'm a VERY new hobbyist that couldn't even draw a week or so ago so I'm reading as many books as possible on how-to. Nice sets out explanations, lessons and examples that are full of information but at the same time not condescending nor overwhelming. It really helps that she puts side by side comparisons in her explanations as well which allowed me to see where I am then where I could possibly go with enough show more practice. It not only reinforces the lesson, it also encourages. I was just very glad to find a drawing instruction that wasn't vague or snobbish.

it's VERY approachable for a beginner with highlights of the author's own works in very good clarity. I'm going to return this ebook to my library and buy my own copy from Amazon to keep for reference. show less

I already have a book by Claudia Nice and really like the way she presents information. I's been looking for this book for some time so when my daughter gave it to me for Christmas I was very pleased. Though when I worked my way into it, I found it slightly superficial in places.I don't think she has quite mastered figures for example...good but not great. Though she does give some nice examples for beginners about drawing figures and the fact that for distant figures you really only need a show more line which hints at them. On the other hand I loved the way she has shown how to paint a breaking wave on p21. And the palettes of colours she suggests are really helpful...and probably not very intuitive. I guess she does what she promises to do and covers a range of sea-side subjects; waves, rocks, headlands, people, animals, birds, boats, beaches, kids, etc. Probably a pretty good start to painting the sea side in watercolour. I rate it 4 stars. show less