Drawing for the Absolute Beginner

With engaging, hands-on exercises and expert advice, this inspiring guide makes drawing in a realistic style easier than you may think—and more fun than you ever imagined!

It’s never too early and never too late to discover the pure joy of drawing. In Drawing for the Absolute Beginner, husband and wife duo Mark and Mary Willenbrink, authors of Watercolor for the Absolute Beginner, teach you everything you need to become more confident with drawing. From choosing materials and showing you the correct way to hold your pencil to more advanced techniques like getting proportions and perspective right and drawing reflections, Mark and Mary guide you through every step of the creative process.

You’ll learn how to perfect your strokes with a series of fun, hands-on exercises that lead to nine full step-by-step demos. Each exercise builds on the previous one as you develop your skills, increase your confidence, and enjoy yourself while drawing coffee mugs, clouds, trees, landscapes, portraits, and more.

Approachable and fun, Drawing for the Absolute Beginner is perfect for anyone who wants to unleash their inner artist.

“We hope you will regain that childlike passion for making art and learning without critiquing yourself harshly. We won’t make you hang it on the fridge, but we do suggest you save your artwork because it will show your progress and increase your confidence as you go.”—Mark and Mary Willenbrink

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs