The Best of Drawing: Strokes of Genius, North Light Books

Chris Saper · 07-04-2007, 05:28 PM

Just released this month, North Light Books has published a compendium of drawings by living artists, in Strokes of Genius: The Best of Drawing

I have had a copy of Aaron Westerberg's cover work on my bulletin board for well over a year, and, not knowing who the other contributors were - not to mention the cover images - until my copy arrived last week, was delighted to see his portrait on the cover.

Of course I was pretty tickled to see the back cover, but the book sat on my table for a few days before I ever turned it over. Sigh.

There are some gorgeous drawings in this book with a huge variety of styles and media.

Paul McCormack is the only other SOG person whose name I recognize.

Cynthia Daniel · 07-05-2007, 12:58 AM

Wow, very cool and congratulations, Chris! Wonder if they ever heard of my web site. Did you know the book was going to have this title? Guess I'll have to order a copy just because it almost has my site name on the front.

Marina Dieul · 07-05-2007, 09:08 AM

Nice news, Chris!
It looks like an interresting book.
I like how your fine drawing looks complementary to Aaron Westerberg's one. Good editor's choice!
Congratulations!

Chris Saper · 07-05-2007, 08:32 PM

Thanks, Cynthia and Marina,

I don't know if NLB knows of your SOG site, but I would imagine the egal department carefully researches name availability. You might touch base with Rachel Rubin Wolf, the editor, if for no other reason to say hi, and introduce your site. You never know

Carol Norton · 07-06-2007, 09:38 AM

Oh, my! How wonderful and how VERY WELL-DESERVED! It's not often that one can say, "Yes, I know a genius!!!" You practice what you teach and you teach your students such sound drawing fundamentals that every one of your admiring students must agree with NLB and their inclusion of your work! I am absolutely thrilled for you!

Enzie Shahmiri · 07-06-2007, 11:51 AM

What wonderful news Chris! You must be so thrilled. Tell us more about the context. Is it strictly images of drawings, or drawings with comments by the artist, or a full on instructural book?

Chris Saper · 07-06-2007, 08:28 PM

Thanks to you all.

This is not an instructional book but is similar to the other North Light formats, i.e. Best of Portrait Painting, a short paragraph by each contributor. Very little text, but images that are very and reproductions of excellent quality.

Carol Norton · 07-06-2007, 10:06 PM

LOL? Hey, this is serious. I just ordered THE book from Amazon! Can't wait to see your beautiful drawing and all the other geniuses in print. I want to be one, too. Will I ever be able to say, like the engineers supposedly said during my ancient college days, "Now I ARE one."?

Carol Norton · 07-18-2007, 04:17 PM

Strokes of Genius, The Best of Drawing just landed on my front porch! What a feast of beautiful drawings to be devoured for pure pleasure. The book will serve as an RX for inspiration to be taken when needed.

Chris Saper's charcoal and pastel drawing of the actor portraying Jean Valjean is wonderful and well deserves its cover position and its inclusion in the chapter on portraits! Along with each drawing is information about the subject's background and techniques used to create the work. This book is a must for every artist's library.