Draw 50 Animals

Each animal takes up a page or two. The first step is usually a few circles, ovals or lines that capture the basic shape and posture of the animal, and each following step adds legs, heads, features, fur, feathers or scales, with the new lines shown darker so readers can see exactly what to add. The last step is a finished drawing that can be shaded or coloured.

The book includes animals such as an elephant, giraffe, horse, lion, kangaroo, birds and fish. A short introduction encourages readers to sketch lightly, use simple tools and practise, and suggests that mistakes are part of learning. Some readers find the jump between steps large at times, and the style is traditional, but generations of children and adults have used the Draw 50 books to learn the basics of proportion and shape. Lee J. Ames created many more titles in the series, covering subjects from dinosaurs to cars.

Simple, encouraging and great for beginners, a book to keep with a pencil and sketchbook for rainy afternoons, family drawing sessions and steady, patient practice. About 64 pages in the Watson-Guptill paperback.