Amazing Crayon Drawing with Lee Hammond - Book Review

When I was a child my very favorite gift was a big box of Crayola Crayons (back then the big box had only 64 colors) and a package of paper. Crayons make me happy to this day. The first thing I do after I get myself a new box of crayons (the big big box of 120) is take a big whiff of the waxy smell (love it) and then I organize the colors. Amberly asked me why Crayola didn't just organize the colors for me. Personally, I'm glad they don't. It would take so much of the fun out of a new box.



When FSBMedia contacted me and asked if I would read and review Amazing Crayon Drawings with Lee Hammond, I was thrilled and of course I agreed. I figured that Amberly would love it. She's our resident artist and crayons, as we all know, are for kids. Right?

Wrong.

When the book arrived last week I was AMAZED. Hammond's use of crayons is truly amazing (thus the title of the book). Her work is stunning and realistic and it is really hard to believe that her only tools were crayons. I was totally inspired by her creations. I ran to the store and bought a new box of crayons and some good sketch paper and have been "coloring" ever since.

I'm not really an artist but I've been following Hammond's tutorials on shading. I've created A LOT of spheres this week. Before I got the good paper, I copied Hammond's beach sunset. Fun! Fun! Fun! Plus, since Amberly and Lilly are always begging me to color with them, we shared some good quality mother/daughter time too.

While they're not generally considered a serious art medium, one really can create stunning and professional looking art with crayons. Crayons, as far as art supplies go, are fairly inexpensive. And with a crayon sharpener (a good one, not the one that comes with the crayons) even the "throw-away, only good for the kids" crayons can be salvaged. In fact, I haven't even used my new crayons yet. Honestly, they're too pretty in their fresh state. And every color I used in the above sunset picture comes in the small 24 crayon box that kids get at school.

I was coloring this morning with Lilly. I decided to try creating my own picture instead of just copying images from Hammond's book. I started a landscape of the view from my bedroom windows. It's coming along. It in no way compares with the beautiful images by Hammond, but I'm pleased. And it's just so much fun.

Lilly still prefers markers. But I'm working to convince her of the greater potential of crayons. Plus they don't mark up her face and hands like markers do.

I am absolutely delighted with Amazing Crayons Drawing with Lee Hammond. This book will make you look at a box of crayons in a whole new light.

While I received a complimentary copy of this book from FSBMedia, this review is my honest opinion and no additional compensation was received.