How to Draw What You See.

How to Draw What You See. Rudy de Reyna. New York, NY: Watson Guptill Publications, 1996. Illus., softcover, 176 pp., $16.95

This classic text is reprinted from the hardcover (first published in 1970) and remains a direct and succinct introduction to the essential craft of drawing. The author initially associates all objects with four basic geometric shapes: cube, sphere, cone, and cylinder. Thirty projects follow, listed under two subtitles: "Fundamentals of Drawing" and "Drawing in Various Media." Beginning with black-and-white charcoal studies, de Reyna emphasizes the importance of realistically rendered objects. Lessons progress in complexity and various materials to encourage proficiency. Although his own style is canonical, his objective is to encourage individuality and innovation from a traditional approach.

--Reviewed by Rebecca Martin, an art teacher at Oakhurst Elementary, Fort Worth, Texas.