A useful and accessible guide. As a reader who is working to improve their art, this book will be a wonderful gift.

A great guide to sketching. Kim's book covers the most essential basics in a way, that is more approachable than what most may have learned in school. I love the way she encourages the reader not to give up if you don't instantly reach the level you aimed for. That rules and perfection / perfectionism isn't the end all, be all.

Kim gives beginner artists what they need most: great examples and explanations, as well as a ton of encouragement to keep on going and trying.

Ein gutes Buch um sich einen Überblick zu verschaffen, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher ob es etwas ist für Einsteiger ins Zeichnen. Die Erklärungen gut, aber doch fehlt mir persönlcih der rote Faden an dem Ganzen.

Providing tips on looking at objects, animals and people in new ways. Rendering their forms into basics shapes, then using those basic shapes to round out the details into a beautiful form. Art is in how you really see something and can transfer it to the page. Tips and tricks on using perspective to give a real sense of space and movement to your work. So much is packed into these pages.

I really liked the focus on form and volume, with cool and imaginative examples. If you were really just starting, though, I think you'd need more of a beginner's guide than this. It's a great guide to "level up" to intermediate, in my opinion. My favorite part was getting to see Kim's sketchbook pages!

I loved everything about this! I plan to purchase a hard copy when it releases :) This is very comprehensive yet still easily digestible and enjoyable to read.

Amazing, goes into detail without getting bogged down. I love how its not just a step by step tutorial like some drawing books are, rather it teaches concepts and techniques to make your own work better. Has helped my form so much

I love drawing books. As someone who has always loved to doodle and sketch when bored, this book seemed right up my alley to help improve some basic skills. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Calling this book “basics” is a stretch. I was overwhelmed almost instantly. It’s one of those how to draw books where it goes from basic to complex within one step. I felt not good enough after reading honestly. Like if I can’t even grasp the basics in this book should I even sketch? I hope others truly love this resource and him it helpful but it was just not the one for me.

Absolutely lovely book by Sorie Kim, with a beautiful and intricate art style that was very inspiring :D
I was expecting more of a detailed step-by-step to understand the artist's process as a beginner, but it's a fantastic book nevertheless, and I can certainly recommend it to anyone who wants to get excited about making art and move further along their sketching journey!

Sorie Kim is one of my all time favorite artistic instructors. I have taken multiple courses of her’s and they have definitely been a turning point and aha moment each time I revisit them. She just understands the basics more than any other instructor I’ve ever learned from. Her work is plain phenomenal.

When I saw that she was releasing a guidebook, I had to jump on it and I am pleased with the inside guts of this book.

In her courses, she goes through all of the steps within this book, and even more in depth. But through these pages, you can really get an introduction into her courses and enhance your skills, beginners and expert artists alike. The way that Sorie teaches shines even here.

My favorite part of all is the beautiful sketchbook work she has throughout. She uses simple, accessible supplies and reinforces the idea that in order to get better is through breaking it down to simple processes and repetition. It’s just so good.

I cannot wait to gift this book to any and every aspiring artist I know. It’s fantastic!

This was a great little book! As someone who has always been intimidated by the technical 'rules' of drawing (thanks, school system), I found Kim's approach refreshing. She presents some common formats and gives basic tutorials for each but encourages readers to experiment and not get too bogged down in following rules and perfectionism. I enjoyed Kim's accessible, gentle style and the peek inside some of her own sketchbooks was a neat touch!

Could I replicate some of these drawings? Ha! Not even close. But, it deepened my understanding of the drawing process and made me feel like art and drawing is something that I too could try, enjoy, and experiment with!

Thank you, Rockport Publishers for making this available on NetGalley!

Thanks to the publisher, Sorie Kim, and Netgalley for this eARC. Very good introduction to one method of drawing based on shapes. It's not the only method but one of the easiest to learn. The section about shadows is very thin and the examples are incomplete (the parts under the bridge or leaves are darker but there's no shadow from the sun in any direction for any other parts like the walls and trees). The book could benefit with an extension about adding highlights and shadows in a drawing to add a more natural form to an object. Adding shape lines of the basic forms to show volume isn't visible in real life. Overall, a great reference.

I fell in love with Sorie Kim’s style and approach to drawing after taking her Domestika class.

This is a really beautifully laid out book which covers the basics without being just another rinse and repeat on form and value.

The great thing about Kim’s approach to drawing is that she infusing subjects which drive her passion and make you want to explore and observe the natural world.

I also love how the book covers her concept of observation to imagination and being able to confidently slide the scale as you grow more familiar with a form. This is where the magic in drawing happens beyond simply drawing what you see.

I really liked this book, but I don't think it's for beginners. It goes over how to draw some basic shapes like a sphere, box or cone, and then describes how to use those shapes to sketch more complex subjects, but it gives only a few examples, which I don't think is enough for a beginner like me.

Drawing Basics and Beyond: Transform Observation into Imagination by Sorie Kim is a beautifully illustrated lesson in how to start drawing. It includes all of the things I learned in art classes years ago and it was a great refresher for me, but would be a great start for someone who has never drawn before and wants to start. An excellent primer! Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ARC of this book

I have always loved art since I was a child, when I was younger I wanted to be an artist, but was persuaded by my mother to persue a different career choice, but now I have decided that I am egar to learn and become better at drawing again so I habe been looking into books etc to get things started.

This was a really good book to give u a look into but also help you to start into drawing basics but at the same time not giving too much where u feel overwhelmed, so if you are interested in art but don't like when u are given too much info where u feel overwhelmed then this is a good book to start with and to start slowly into learning.

I possibly misunderstood the description of this drawing book. I expected more of a guide with step by step practices to improve your own drawing.
Instead, this book seems to be more of an inspiration with beautiful illustrations of different sketching methods.
The artists drawings are undeniably gorgeous, however I was personally a little disappointed.

I am someone that likes to introduce and encourage the people around me to art. I give my family members books to help develop a creative and well-rounded person. As a child, I was given a sketch book, which helped me express my emotions. I wish I had a copy of this book when I was younger. I will be buying copies for the family for Xmas. The book goes through “Why Sketching is important?”. It also shows you how to develop an image from start to finish. It goes into how you draw an object in motion and make it more lifelike. I don’t have any complaints about this book. I feel like it is a must have for New Artist.

Thanks to the publisher, Sorie Kim, and Netgalley for this eARC.

In her captivating book, Drawing Basics and Beyond, artist and esteemed instructor Sorie Kim invites us on an inspiring journey from observation to imagination. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a curious beginner, this sketchbook master class offers valuable insights and practical techniques.

Sorie Kim demystifies drawing by emphasizing direct observation. She encourages us to see the world around us with fresh eyes, transforming everyday scenes into artistic inspiration.

Kim breaks down the essential components of sketching, guiding readers through line, shape, form, value, texture, space, composition, and perspective. Her clear explanations empower artists to build a solid foundation.

Drawing from life is at the heart of this book. Kim shares her passion for capturing the nuances of reality, whether it’s a bustling cityscape, a serene landscape, or a simple still life.

As we learn to observe, we also learn to imagine. Kim encourages experimentation, playfulness, and the freedom to infuse our sketches with personal expression.

Throughout the book, you’ll find engaging exercises that reinforce concepts. From quick gesture sketches to detailed studies, these hands-on activities enhance your skills.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by a blank page or struggled to translate what you see onto paper, Drawing Basics and Beyond provides a supportive roadmap.

Kim’s warm tone and relatable anecdotes make this more than just an instructional manual—it’s an artistic companion.

Whether you’re sketching in a cozy corner café or capturing the grandeur of a mountain range, this book celebrates the joy of creation.

In summary, Drawing Basics and Beyond is an enriching resource that bridges the gap between observation and imagination. It’s about discovering the magic within the ordinary.

I am purchasing a hard copy for future reference.

I am not an 'artsy' person, but I love to doodle and sketch occasionally. I always welcome any help I can get with inspiration, tips and tricks and this book provides just that. I love the examples and easy-to-follow instructions! I am looking forward to picking it up when it gets published.

Thank you for the opportunity to review it beforehand.