To all:
I have a 7 year old boy that likes to draw. We've purchased drawing pads and pencils (standard pencils) for his birthdays and Christmas and he LOVES to draw. For Valentines he's handing out little pads of paper. He's AWESOME! Currently he's doing crazy monsters and dragons, since I'm a D&D geek, and I've shown him the concept of cartoons so he tells his stories like the Sunday comic strips. I like to draw, and I use to do it a lot way back in grade school and high school. Nothing as good as I've seen here but I like to do it and it keeps my hands busy and my mind awake during work meetings. Sssssh, don't tell my boss. That is when I can't whittle or sculpt (I'm not very good at any of them, but I'm trying and I like it!)

I subscribed to this sight for his knowledge but also mine, mostly his. We are starting to draw together but I wanted to know if there are any suggestions on VERY basic books or manuals or websites out there that I can get for him, and myself. I have all the lessons from this site downloaded and we'll be going through them together but I just want more and more and more! Addicted is a bit strong but we like to do it while waiting for food at a restaurant or whenever.

Please help. I've looked at a few books at stores but nothing is truly basic enough.

Thanks,
Joe Hoffman
Proud father and aspiring artist.

http://www.draw3d.com/OnlineVideo.html
Here is a link to Mark Kistler's online drawing lessons. He has quite a few books out too. Teaches basic drawing skills that make your drawings look 3d.

Personally, I don't find art books particularly useful. Yes, they have some reference aspects to them on specific techniques that can be referred to, but they can't teach you to draw. Only you can do that. And the same in your son's case.

I'm not demeaning online lessons or tutorials, those are good to. We all like visuals to help us establish how something is done, but don't let them be a crutch. Some people spend all their time poring over art books and never get around to drawing, then wonder why they're not making progress.

My advice? Don't get lost in 'how to' books. Spend your money on good quality art supplies, join a local art group, put your son in some kids drawing lessons and just draw. Every day draw something. Practice is really the key element in learning. I can't emphasize that enough.

My grand daughter is 6 and loves to draw. I keep a sketch book and pencil in a little holder by the toilet and one in the car and she draws every place we go, every thing she sees. You can't recognize much yet, but it's a start. She also has an easel next to mine and a larger sketch pad, colored pencils, crayons and a couple different graphites. She may never be an artist, but she has the opportunity..

I have to agree with Islander on this one. I don't find how to art books to be to helpful, although looking at the pictures can help.

I find that in order to really learn how to draw you just have to simply START drawing. Go to some classes (maybe they even have father son ones) where you can learn your basic techniques) and take them into everyday life and be daring and try them when you draw. The more you do it yourself the more you learn about how to manipulate your materials to draw what you want, as well as how to truly be able to see and understand shadows as shapes and whatnot.

I remember I met a uncle who lived in Tenn. and he is a wonderful artist and I remember as a small child watching him draw and kept thinking .. I could do that ...and unlike most times when I have said that I tried and it came easy for me ...I started drawing alot and I drew on everything ..used anything I could think of ...I never had a class or a book .. ( not saying they are not helpful ) I just did not have the money to get them ....so I guess I am self taught with a little touch of the art gean from my father and uncle