Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists: 03/29/25

Drawing Lab for Mixed-Media Artists by Carla Sonheim (2010) is a series of exercises to get artists or would-be artists out of their creative ruts. These assignments involve a variety of media in ways that might be new or unfamiliar.

Before a new project there's a list of recommended tools. If a project might involve an activity that might be impossible, there are photos included to use as a backup reference.

The lessons are divided up into larger units: inspired by animals, inspired by people, inspired by famous artists, inspired by children and childhood, inspired by imagination, inspired by nature, and inspired by books and culture. Each unit has seven lessons.

Where I take exception with an otherwise interesting book is the few times the authors makes bold assumptions about either the artist or the way the assignment will play out.

On the artist's front, the author assumes a younger artist, one who has children as some assignments require access to children's 3D art, or toys, or actual collaboration with adult and child. Of course if I'd read this book when it was newly published, I actually did have young children. At this stage, though, I have two adult children.

Another assignment that irked me was the assumption that a live model for a drawing class would be female. It again sets up expectations that might not play out and ignores the broader range of the human experience.

Four stars

Comments (0)