"I think it's really wonderful!"
- Pendleton Ward -
Adventure Time
Below you'll find some of the feedback lifted from public comments boards such as Kickstarter and Amazon.
We can talk all day about how useful we think our book will be for you, but sometimes it's best to let recipients themselves speak for us.
Thank you so much guys. It's been an incredible ride. To have had you all along with us made it not only possible but so much more enjoyable and so very worthwhile! Here's to the next adventure!
Feedback
Goodreads Comments
By far my favorite book when learning to draw.
Truly good for building your foundations while also not being bored to death by the text. If you have to choose any book to learn from THIS IS IT. I have yet to find an artbook from a different author anywhere near as good. Truly top tier. Don't hesitate, get this book at all costs.
Eric
This is essential reading for anyone with aspirations to draftmanship mastery.
I wish I could give this ten stars because it moves the genre of art education books forward by a innovative and fun approach. This series displays a masterclass in how to speak to its reading in an informed, intelligent manner that breaks down the subjects to its fundamentals and then allows the student to build on that.
Bravo!
Mary Anne Salworth
I have just discovered this book and I can honestly say, it is the best book about drawing that I have ever seen.
It is clever, charming and a wonderful companion in my art studio. My students love it and I now use the teachings as a curriculum in my Art school classes.
SusanTeacher
I think this book should be the book all art classes use when teaching the subject of drawing.
It is concise, thorough and it is especially good at enabling people with no skill or experience at all reach a high degree of skill.
I cannot wait for the second book in this series!
Mason
My drawing class is using this as a text, and it's a very good guide for learning to draw.
Many basic steps are explained within the context of gaming, which made it interesting and also structured well.
Rosemary
Loved it!!
Peter
I've slowly been working my way through this all year, and I've finally reached the end.
A wonderful book to help you find confidence in your drawing. One to another one, now.
Josh Storey
Some Comments from Kickstarter
Adam
I received my book in the mail the other day and what an amazing book it is. Glancing through the pages I can see the passion and vast knowledge that lies within. The book looks incredible, feels heavy, and is well constructed. I just want to thank you Ash for building a great book on drawing all those years ago (2013).
It is great to finally hold and read what you envisioned. I hope this is not the last book with your names on it. I look forward to future projects and would gladly support you endeavours. For now, I raise a pint to you on a job well done.
Anthony
I’m gobsmacked, literally the most amazing book ever. I’m massively proud of what you have created - I’m a huge fan of the art style and attention to the layout in the book. I just love it. Wow, :D I’m learning so much
Cody Murphy
Thank you so much. It’s amazing to finally hold this book. I ran to the mailbox everyday like a kid. One day I will hand it down to my son. Maybe down the road he will read through the names on the back and discover mine. I’ll leave that as an easter egg for him to discover on his own.
Kas Wright
Today my long anticipated hardback copy arrived… just holding the package with awesome address label sticker, and personal note (I’m keeping the packing btw) was exciting. After the angels had sung their ahhhhhs whilst I opened it, I just looked at it for a minute. As someone said, the quality is obvious, the paper is superb, turning the pages is a pleasure, nothing flimsy about it. It is a beautiful book and after turning more pages it hits home actually how much work has gone into it all, every illustration (the water droplet, wow) the text, the quality printing and binding, it all shows the passion and dedication that has made this book.
I hoped for high quality and was given superb quality. I’m so pleased for you achieving this, you should be proud, I’m so pleased I was onboard and a part of this. The book is fantastic. I love it and I’m dying to read and learn from it. Today is a good day. Thank you Ash
Annette Berglund
I gave my book to my daughter and she loves it! But I want another one
Tony Sturtevant
Just got the book, so happy! You've done a magnificent job! SO awesome! Bravo!
Ryan North
It arrived yesterday, and it's such a gorgeous book! You did a really great job!
Dejan
Hey! This message is just to let you know that I received the book and it’s truly beautiful! Thanks again, and can’t wait to delve more into it!
Rick Harmsen
Woop! I received my book yesterday, loving it! Looks amazing! :D It Looks good and the playing cards are a nice surprise! :D Really amazing to have such a great book with my name in it. So much motivation to progress my drawings now! Looking forward to projects to come, I’ll be there to support!
Henning
Hey Ash! I received my book and it is just GREAT. Thank you so much for your time and work.
Alejandro
Hey there Ash! Yesterday I received my copy of the book in the warmth of the afternoon and I just couldn't stop prying its pages for hours like a little kid alone in a candy shop. When the time comes I'm sure this will be the perfect tool for me to teach and share one of my passions with my son and I'm really happy and proud to be a little part of this. Thanks for everything.
Spanner Hoard
Oh man it's beautiful! You have totally outdone yourself. It's honestly (expletative) incredible. I've never had my name on a book before. Bit over excited. Hope you get your deserved rest now. Han
Jasmine Choinski
Just received my book here in Australia, and wow, it is a beauty! Was considering giving as a gift, but nah, I'm definitely keeping it! And thanks for signing my deck, that was very cool! Now, if I can just find my willpower and dedication, I know I left around here somewhere ^-^
Jeff
The book just arrived and I'm stoked. You've really made something special. The quality is just pouring out of its pages, which I am happily reading through and have no plans on stopping. This is going to be epic. Congratulations on a great campaign. This book shows what a love of a project can produce.
Niclas Forsen
The book is final in my hands! It is not as wonderful as I thought it would be…. It is much better! Fantastic job Ash, and of course a big thank you to all backers, we made this possible together!
Matt J Cody
Guess what turned up before!!! So amazing! It was a pretty special feeling seeing my name on the wall of contributors. Also showed me how big this has become. You did an amazing job. It’s truly a work of art that will hopefully spawn more works of art through your fans. Can’s thank you enough!
Richard Bullen
There is another book planned? WHERE DO I SIGN UP? TAKE MY MONEY! You tease, you!
Stannis
Woohooooo. It came! It bloody well came!!! I freaking love it. The immense effort you have put into this hardback is easy to see. I adore the details, and this is chocka-block with em. I love that my name is attached to this. Thank you for sharing this knowledge, it's truly an exceptional gift. The quality of this item puts it up there with any art book I have received from established publishers with their teams of proofreaders and editors and artists. The fact that you did this by yourself is a credit. Whatever you do next, I am on board. Three massive cheers
John
WOW!!! This book is friggin gorgeous!!! You've done an amazing job. Can't wait to kraken open.
Kristin Olson
I love my book so much! It's a work of art unto itself
Elizabeth Friese
I just wanted to let you know that my book arrived, and WOW is it ever gorgeous! I've already started gathering my supplies to get started. I hope someday you'll set up a flicker group or something, so all your students can show off our work. Really enjoying the book so far!!!
Kaz Wright (again)
Honestly I keep getting my book out and looking at it lovingly. I can’t quite bear to actually use it and bend the pages etc. It’s that nice
Rabih
:)))) Wow, I have to say I am both happy and impressed, I never had a doubt this is going to be good, but it exceeded my expectations! Congratulations I hope the book becomes a success as you probably hoped! I’m looking forward to sinking my teeth into it. It has always been a dream of mine to learn to draw…. Like a boss! Thanks a lot for the upgrade and for the fantastic journey, and I look forward to what’s next :D
Andre via Kickstarter
It’s HUGE and it’s beautiful!
Mike
Guys. I just got a package. You seriously did not have to send me a hardback version. I am absolutely floored by your kindness. Thank you very much!!! It's beautiful!
Elijah J. Powell
It is so beautiful and the craftmanship and love put into this product is very evident! Awesome work and well worth the wait! Thank you for creating this! I will make sure if you ever decide to do any other books or Kickstarter that I am among the first to back it! I am glad to be holding the book in my hands now. Thank you so much!
Emmanuel Lagace
The book is funny, fun to use and informative! Lachez pas
Jeremy Tuck
It has been so awesome that something that felt so far out of reach (learning to draw) feels not only possible, it feels inevitable each time I sit down and practice. As I have been adventuring though the book, I found myself becoming passionate about something I felt so far beyond my reach
Some Comments from Amazon
Stunning book for anyone looking to improve their art (and have fun while doing it)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 September 2024
I've spent a tonne on books to help me improve my art, and this and it's sequel are easily two of my favourites, because it's so much more fun than any other art book I own due to the unusual approach taken by the author. (If you've ever been into gaming then you'll definitely appreciate what's going on here!)
I bought my copy (and the sequel) through a Kickstarter campaign, which is why in the photo I've uploaded, I've included the (also beautiful) slipcase which is signed and numbered.
My art has improved massively as a result of the first two books, and I had so much fun working through them. Highly recommend this series of books if you want to improve your drawing abilities.
At the time of posting this review, a Kickstarter's running for the third book in the series and I can't wait to get my hands on that too!
The real deal. You will have fun learning the skills.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 October 2024
I've tried several drawing books over the years and bounced off. I don't need to anymore as DLAB has me covered for practical drawing skills from nothing to a level way beyond anything I can realistically aspire to. Sounds intimidating? Wrong. I have rarely seen a more approachable and engaging text. Ash knows his skills and communicates them marvellously.
The book is fun to go through, logically structured and an absolute delight.
Full disclosure - I have backed it since Kickstarter for book one and I'm going to be following whatever Ash does with huge interest.
If you buy one book on drawing ...... buy this one.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 September 2024
A great introduction to drawing. even if you already draw, this book will have something for you. It starts with the basics and gradually builds you up to understand, not just how to draw but how to look at your subject, how to deal with shadow, self-criticism of your work, how to use background and shading, etc.
And the best bit is there are another two books to help you take your drawing further. Enjoy!
Wow, simply wow!
Reviewed in the United States on 5 July 2023
This large-format hard-cover book is beautiful in format, ingenious in organization, and amazing in content. It's fun and uplifting to read! It is helping me approach drawing with more insight and new techniques I had never considered before. It's somewhere in the middle between the metaphysical and the practical. The subtitle tells it all: "The Journey of Drawing Awesomely." I have it on my shelf next to "Writing on the Right Side of the Brain" and "The Artist's Way." It's a bit pricy, but I think it's worth every penny (of course, I got it on sale but now that I have it I would have paid more, but probably not over $100 and only for the hard cover). It is British in the best sense of the word.
Love
Reviewed in India on 28 October 2018
I was so afraid it may be some kind of knock off or something but it appears to be the actual book. Its an amazing book. Ive been dying to get my hands on and this is so worth it. Only bad thing was the it took more than 3 weeks to be shipped. But the book itself is amazing