This spring, discover the great fun and satisfying challenge of drawing! Whether you want to capture the image of a loved one, draw your favorite animals, or sharpen your technique, The Quarto Group has you covered. The four books below vary in style and subject, but they all provide top-notch instruction for beginning artists and drawing enthusiasts.

Pocket Art: Portrait Drawing is a lively, graphic approach to explaining concepts will have you looking and learning with step by step illustrations and expert tips straight from London-based artist “Miss Led” (aka Joanna Henly). This compact 112-page book is just right for carrying in a backpack or pocket for when you’re learning on the go.

Pocket Art: Portrait Drawing

The Quick Guide to Mastering Technique and Style
by Miss Led aka Joanna Henly
Rockport Publishers
April 24, 2018 | US $17.99, CAN $23.99

ISBN: 9781631594694 | 112 pages | Paperback

Joanna Henly, well known by her professional name, Miss Led, is an illustrator, artist, and art director based in East London who exhibits her work across the globe. Jo is a strong promoter of professional practice within her art and illustration, including as a Global Ambassador for Liquitex paints and European Ambassador for Wacom. She is also a passionate educator, using social media and podcasts to her teach her online audience, which reaches 1.3 million people. You can find her on online at MissLed.co.uk and on Facebook, Instagram, Behance, and Twitter.

Featuring the delightful and informative illustrations of artist Oana Befort and the inspiring expertise of conservation educator Maggie Reinbold, Drawing Wild Animals guides artists at all skill levels as they learn about, observe, and draw animals in a whole new light.

To feed your curiosity, you’ll learn the characteristics, behaviors and, habitats of animals from categories like predators, grazers, and marsupials. To nurture the artist, you’ll get step-by-step instructions that show how to develop each animal from simple shapes into richly detailed drawings. Armed with a deeper understanding of animals, you’ll be better able to capture their stunning beauty and enchanting attributes in your artwork.

Drawing Wild Animals

Essential Techniques and Fascinating Facts for the Curious Artist

By Oana Befort and Maggie Reinbold

Quarry Books

May 8, 2018 | US $24.99, CAN $32.99

ISBN: 9781631593499 | 144 pages | Paperback

To draw more domesticated creatures, check out Pencil Drawing: Cats! This book allows beginning artists to dive into learning how to draw cats of all shapes, sizes, and poses in graphite pencil and charcoal.

Pencil Drawing: Cats

An Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Learning to Draw Cats and Kittens

By Anja Dahl

Walter Foster Publishing

May 1, 2018 | US $18.99, CAN 24.99

ISBN: 9781633224834 | 112 pages | Paperback

For those looking for a traditional drawing class in book-form, try Drawing School: Fundamentals for the Beginner. Fullerton College art professor Jim Dowdalls offers an academic-inspired, foundational exploration of the drawing basics. 

Drawing School: Fundamentals for the Beginner

A Comprehensive Drawing Course

By Jim Dowdalls

Walter Foster Publishing

May 1, 2018 | US $24.95, CAN $32.95

9781633224865 | 240 pages | Hardcover