Малювання на сніданок by Danny Gregory

Малювання на сніданок Reviews

• 
  Peter Derk

  Can I tell you something I hate? I hate that Malcolm Gladwell 10,000 hours theory.
  
  For anyone who's avoided it somehow, the way it works is that Gladwell, who we'll get to, poses the theory that 10,000 hours of concentrated, limits-pushing practice is what separates the successful from the amateur, the pro from the bro.
  
  First of all, no shit. If I just picked a huge, giant number, and if you worked on something that long, there's almost no way you're gonna be worse. 10,000 hours, that's over a year of 24/7 practice. If you were going 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, if you did this as a full time gig, you'd practice just a hair under 5 years. Hell, go ahead and take the day off on holidays, you're looking at 5 years.
  
  Yeah, I would HOPE you'd be significantly better at something within that timeframe.
  
  Now, it's obviously a very flawed theory. Do people tend to go towards things they're good at naturally, and therefore they only end up practicing things they are already pretty good at? To ask that a different way, would anyone be likely to stick with something they suck at for 10,000 hours? And obviously, most glaring, there are other factors at work here. Genetics. What kind of shape you're in to begin with. Whether you've perhaps engaged in parallel experiences that would inform your primary goal. Let's face it, there's no amount of practice that will make certain people good at certain stuff. And there's also a lot of stuff most people have done 10,000 hours and still suck at. Drive around Santa Fe. I'm sure most of the old folks down there have driven somewhere in the neighborhood of 10,000 hours in a lifetime, and they're terrible at it.
  
  The theory is also so untestable. Who is going to pick up a basketball today, clock that 10,000, and then shove it in Malcolm Gladwell's face? Which is why it's the perfect theory to put in a book. It's pretty tough to debate. Which, to me, makes it a bad theory.
  
  Okay, it's a bad theory, this 10,000 hours thing. But that's not really my problem with it.
  
  My problem with it is that I think it serves as an excuse for people to not do shit. Because, basically, it's going to take a decade before they're truly any good. And even that is a gamble. A big, long term gamble.
  
  Not having 10,000 hours is a great excise to never do anything. I'm never going to get in 10,000 hours of swimming, so why bother? I'll never be able to put in 10,000 hours of plumbing, so why even try?
  
  Which brings us to what I like about this book.
  
  Art Before Breakfast gives the two things you need to get started on something new. It gives you concrete tasks to perform that take less than 10 minutes apiece, and it gives you permission to suck. Not just at first, but maybe forever.
  
  Not having time for art or artistic pursuits is an excuse. I'm sorry, but it is. If you're not happy with your life, if your work is unfulfilling and your relationships suck, I'd give art a try. Seriously.
  
  Because like this book says, it's not just about putting ink on paper.
  
  When I ran a lot, I had these experiences that were really good and really healthy that went far outside actually running. I felt really in touch with the seasons, which is a hippy stupid thing to say, but if you spend an hour+ outside every day, you really are in touch with what's happening outside. When you go down the same roads at a speed way slower than driving, you start to notice stuff like when the creek is really high or when a field is mowed. This isn't important shit, but there's something healthy, to me, about paying attention that way.
  
  This book is like the anti-Gladwell solution. It's not about being great at drawing or watercolors or whatever. It's about just getting started and doing it.
  
  The author makes this great point about art that never got made being similar to art that was made and then burned. Art that was never made because someone chose not to make it, that's art that will never benefit anyone.
  
  Quit burning all that art and get to work, damn it.
• 
  Sandra

  
  

  Art is a business, an industry, a racket.
  art is about passion, love, life, humanity—
  everything that is truly valuable.

  
  Artistically, I've been stuck in a rut for awhile now. I have ideas, many ideas, but to execute them and create an actual piece of art...now that's a different story.
  
  

  Making art slows us down enough to see the details, the wrinkles, the world within worlds. Without it, life is just a blur of CliffsNotes, movie trailers, and microwaved entreēs.

  
  So maybe I should start with small steps as Danny Gregory suggest. Just a few minutes a day, every day, before even having started breakfast.
  Let mistakes happen, and not fixate on things being perfect. Cause maybe that is also what blocks me. If I can't get a project the way I see it, I tend to abandon it. So there are many of them lying around, never to be looked at again.
  But it is okay to let them collect some dust and then pick them up again after awhile.
  
  Now let's chase those dust bunnies away and pick things up.
  
  

  See, I told you. You can do it. You are an artist, after all.

  
  
  
• 
  reading is my hustle

  Super motivating book with creative prompts to get you creating. The overall message of positivity and the beautiful illustrations make me happy.
  
  
  Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative is equally as wonderful. Don't miss either.
  
  LOVED.
  Recommended.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  Ruby

  Meh. I start from a position of loving all of Danny Gregory's books I've read (so far) which is most of them. This one just feels like a money grab :( There are some fun illustrations, as you would expect. There are certainly ideas. But absolutely every topic, idea, what have you, is covered in about three sentences. Where Is The truly insightful writing we have come to expect? No in this one! If you are a complete-ist, I suppose you will want to get it. It is not expensive. But just to read it, not to carry out the ideas of course, takes about half an hour, and most of that is time spent admiring Danny's loose drawing style and delight in bold colours.
  
  I'm sorry to say this, but, save your breath to cool your breakfast, and re-read Everyday Matters. You'll be more likely to be inspired, or re-inspired, plus, you can use the money you saved, from not buying this book, on art supplies.
• 
  Chris

  That I started this in early July and just finished it last week should tell you something - comfortable writing style, fun drawings, and yet I just wasn't drawn in.
• 
  Ksenya

  Абсолютно прекрасна книженція, яка дарує купу натхнення і класних порад до щоденного малювання. Величезне сердечко!
• 
  Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance

  Art should be like breakfast: something you do every day. And if there is anyone who can guide you into seeing art opportunities in your everyday life, it is Danny Gregory.
  
  You can spend a day with this book. You can spend a week with it. A month. A year. Probably a lifetime.
  
  Full of delight.
  
• 
  John’aLee

  What a little gem of a book, packed full of inspiration and encouragement for anyone that wants to start an ‘art and sketching life’, but feels they have no talent.
  It’s going to be a main stay in my 2023 Summer of Art Challenge I’ve created for myself.😁
• 
  Charlie

  If you have followed Danny Gregory in Sketchbook Skool and read his past books, this is simply the same philosophy. Nothing new or inspirational that hasn't already been written or spoken about several times. I was disappointed…nothing new here.
• 
  Elizabeth A

  I'm a fan of the author, but if you've read his other books, there is nothing new in this one. If the last time you made any art was in Kindergarten, this might be the book for you. This little book, while delightful to peruse, seems rather like the author had all these journal pages, and decided to create a book around them. Check out of the library rather than buy material. I'd highly recommend two of his books - The Creative License and Everyday Matters - to anyone interested in being more creative.
• 
  Elle Kay

  A couple of ideas intrigued me but the majority of this book repeats the basic idea that you should carry a sketchbook with you everywhere and draw at any given chance you get. Now I draw and sketch when I truly have to but I find it restricts my creative bent so I do it in extreme circumstances only. This book and the 'ideas' contained were so boring and samey and nowhere near inspirational. An utterly one dimensional effort.
• 
  Brittany

  Just do it
  
  I loved the section on not letting perfectionism stop you. Just pick up the pen and paper and you'll be shocked it will come forth.
• 
  Armando

  Art Before Breakfast takes a 'quantity over quality' approach to becoming an artist. Not in the idea that quality is never achieved, but simply isn't or shouldn't be the focus of your everyday artwork. Danny Gregory is mainly interested in getting you drawing/painting/inking/sculpting for a little bit, everyday. And this book is filled with helpful tutorials and guidelines in a way that is cleverly disguised because you often are too distracted to realize that he's teaching you art techniques. The lessons and tutorials are all presented as fun and creative exercises that anyone with a pen and paper can do, meanwhile all the time you're actually learning art techniques.
  
  This approach becomes more of a lifestyle instead of a learning method, which I greatly enjoy. Gregory shares my own perspective on art, that art is not something just shared amongst the elite or those who are just 'born' with artistic abilities, but rather that art is a very human thing that we all have. And that by making more art, and having as many people making as much art as possible, makes us all more human. This anti-elitist approach to becoming an artist is incredibly refreshing.
  
  What also helps is that each page is filled with Gregory's own diary drawings that he is asking you to perform, which makes for a very creative read. There were a few techniques, particularly how he approached cityscapes, that were both new and helpful to me.
  
  Overall, just like with 'Art & Fear' by David Bayles and Ted Orland, I think Art Before Breakfast is an absolute must read for anyone who considers themselves an artist, or feels themselves stuck in a creative rut. But more so, I think Art Before Breakfast is a book that everyone should read, not just those that consider themselves artists.
• 
  Marion

  I was in the Netherlands a few weeks ago with my two grown daughters. One of them brought a notebook and a small, portable watercolor set. She suggested that the three of us write journal notes and paint pictures to preserve our memories of the trip. I wasn’t sure my paintings would be worthy of the journal. They both encouraged me to not worry about the end product and concentrate on the pleasure of documenting a moment in time. It turned out to be so much fun I decided to incorporate this practice when I got home.
  And what a nice surprise to discover this book offering tips on how to commit to a daily practice of creating art every day - even if only in snippets. It also offers plenty of suggestions on adding dimension and color to my drawings. Most of all, it tells me not to worry about how imperfect my drawings are. Just do it! And so my journey begins!
• 
  Олена Павлова

  "У нових місцях тримайте очі відкритими. І скетчбук теж". Книжка Денні Ґрегорі допомагає від перфекціонізму та надихає малювати. Це ряд чудових ідей та вправ, плюс як гарна приправа — неабияка дотепність автора.
  
  Головна ідея "Малювання на сніданок" — використовувати кожну мить для скетчів, наприклад, малювати колег на нараді (так!). І ще — дати собі волю, відрубити самокритичність на час малювання взагалі. А якщо малювати солодощі замість їсти — то це буде ще й корисно для фігури
  
  А малювати з фотографії, особливо чужої — як заморожена піцца. Бо фотограф уже все вирішив за вас
  
  Ще з цієї книжки дізналася, що якщо напряжно чекати, доки висохне акварель, можна покласти малюнок у мікрохвильову
• 
  Maya Gopalakrishnan

  More like a crash course in art confidence than technique. It's about looking things around you with fresh eyes and managing 5 minutes a day. Encouraged to pick up the pencil and brushes again. Timely read when we need to stay indoors!!
• 
  Ihor Kolesnyk

  Одна із найгарніших книг цього року із великою кількістю вправ та жартів у процесі. Якби я починав зараз рисувати у скетчбуці, а не років 5 тому, то це була дуже гарна книга для підтримки навички/звички.
  
  Чудовий подарунок друзям, які шукають самовираження через рисунок/малюнок.
• 
  Anna Andrienko

  Яскрава, мотивуюча та переконлива розповідь про те, що кожен може бути митцем та отримувати задоволення від процесу малювання без ментальних ускладнень та внутрішньої критики, яка так притаманна нам дорослим)
• 
  Madisson

  "Creativity isn't a luxury. It's the essence of life."
  
  {The preface}
  This book is for people who don't have time to read it.
  You don't have a second to catch your breath.
  To smell the roses or the coffee.
  Your life is getting more full and more crazy.
  Which is why you need to add one more thing to your to-do list:
  Make art.
  Seriously, art? Yup.
  {art with a small "a", I might add.}
  
  This book is full of ideas of finding time for art and illustrating the beauty found in everything, every day. It has encouraged and inspired me to get out my notebook and pen from under my bed and start drawing again.
• 
  Grace Kao

  Like, it's fine. it's a fine book. It says what every person who has a secret burning desire to create needs to hear: stop talking about it and pick up your pen. I mean, he's right. Every movie I watch is 2 hours I spent not making art. Time, as I get older, grows increasingly fleeting and precious. So the basic premise of the book is this: hoard your time, snatch fifteen minutes here and there, and spend it like a miser. Make art your wealth, and do it for life. You'll regret living any other way.
• 
  Laura

  I like Danny Gregory and his approach to drawing very much, but this book seemed to be just a shorter version of The Creative License. There really wasn't much new, though what there is is fine. Even Danny rehashed inspires and encourages me, so I'm not sorry I read it, but if you've read some of his other books, there's really not much added here.
• 
  Kate Robertson

  Excellent, another wonderful book by Danny Gregory. Its full of ideas on finding time for art, plus many ideas of things to draw to document your life. Full of humorous anecdotes and fun drawings. If you want to draw this is a great place to start. If you already sketch this is a great resource.
• 
  Cara

  It felt like more of a list of all the things one could draw ("Look! There's stuff everywhere! Now draw it!") than something particularly inspiring. It could be useful to some.
• 
  lisa

  “If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
  — Vincent van Gogh
  
  
  You know how some people keep diaries, full of their thoughts, feelings, life happenings etc? I was never one of these people, no matter how much I tried. However, this book really managed to inspire me to start drawing the small things from my daily life and to fill up so many sketchbooks that will be kept for years and years. Maybe I am still influenced by the strong impression it left on me (especially the last pages) but I am utterly glad I found and read it, and I am sure I will come back to it on random days, checking random pages once again. In fact; I’ll get some sketchbooks asap.
  
  The reason I started reading it, besides my interest in it and lack of free time, was to actually make art a part of my daily routine. Through the book, the author gives small, quick-to-do tasks (or better said, ideas), but he also gives you a different perspective on the world around. You start to notice such simple things you probably haven’t paid attention to since childhood, and he makes you feel them. He gives simple yet effective advices and inspires you to add your own personal touch, to include your own emotions and perspective, promotes uniqueness (which, frankly, we do need more in today’s world). And as a (struggling) perfectionist, one of my favourite parts was that he often put reminders that it’s okay to not do everything perfectly, but not in a classic “nobody/nothing is perfect” way.
  
  The book doesn’t contain only tasks. It also has many subtle advices, some short stories, thoughts etc. If you do these tasks regularly you will surely make art your habit/daily routine. In all honesty, I didn’t do them all yet, let alone regularly (if only I was ever regular at anything), but still I feel like I learned a lot. It gave me the push I wanted after being in the art-making slump these past few years.
  
  To wrap this up, here are two of my (hardly picked) favourite pharagraphs:
  
  “I thought of all the times I thought I should do some drawing and instead watched Real Housewives. I thought about that etching class I was thinking of taking last year and didn't. Poof, all those would-be etchings went up in smoke. Or that three-week trip I took to Japan when I didn't do a single sketch in my book.
  This isn't my inner critic talking, brutalizing me for my indolence. It's just a fact. Every time you find a reason not to create, the art you might have made doesn't exist. It may not have all been great art, worthy of Rotterdam's museum, but it would have been another step on the path to better art, more fluid, more expressive, more fun.”
  
  
  “Life is a shelf. A long shelf partly filled with illustrated journals. Some of the books are handmade, some store-bought, some in ornate covers, some stained and dog-eared. Some of the journals are completely filled. Others are abandoned halfway, maybe to be taken up at a later date. (…) Inside, each page is different, drawn by the same hand and pen, yet recording unique observations, days that fill up identically sized boxes on the calendar but were all filled with different challenges, discoveries, lessons, and dreams.”
  
  
  (why does the first pharagraph sound like an ad. I swear it’s just me being honest)
• 
  Aly

  Such a sweet read. A quick-paced, down-to-earth inspiration for anyone wishing to draw or draw more.
  
  ———————————
  
  “Art with a big “A” is for museums, galleries, critics, and collectors. art with a small “a” is for the rest of us. Art is a business, an industry, a racket. art is about passion, love, life, humanity— everything that is truly valuable. Art is sold, resold, put under the gavel, and insured up the wazoo. art with a small “a” is not a product. It’s a point of view. It’s a way of life. Art is made by trained professionals and experts. art is made by accountants, farmers, and stay-at-home moms at restaurant tables, in parking lots, and laundry rooms. Art takes Art School and Talent and years of Suffering and Sacrifice. art just takes desire and 15 minutes a day. You may not be an Artist. Big whoop. But I know you can make art— with a wonderful, expressive, teeny, tiny a.”
  
  “Mistakes are lessons in disguise and accurate reflections of your true state. Maybe you need to slow down. Maybe your initial expectation was actually what was wrong. Maybe you need to draw more often.”
  
  “These voices — the inner critic, the inner nag, the inner pest, the inner jerk and all the other monsters who try to talk you out of moving forward— are the part of you that is threatened by change and progress. We all have them. They are trying to protect you from new and scary things, but they are out of sync with you right now and not helpful. They hate what you are doing, but that doesn’t make them right.”
• 
  Nicole Joliada

  Wow! I don't know why I didn't read this sooner. As an artist I've read a lot of art books. They can be hit or miss. This book was a quick read but still filled with useful tips and inspiration that will keep you going back for more. I'm so glad I finally read this!
  
  Longer review to come!
• 
  Nicholas Ball

  A deceptively simple little book, it definitely covers all the bases with the "anyone can do art. Lower case a 'art', don't worry about upper case A proper 'Art'" .. a D it does all that with a disarming conversational style and a reassuring air; as a pleasant surprise is the book goes a step beyond the stay positive platitude and has hidden some very valuable little art lessons about contour drawing, negative space and measuring in among all the feel-good text.
  
  Thus it's an easy recommend for a literal 'first time trying anything creative' type because it'll subtely impart the vital building blocks but still make the journey a positive experience. Getting art burnout and second doubts about the quality of your work are major issues for art beginners and this book has some great techniques for dealing with it.
  
  I've bought a lot of art books and read a few, but I regret that this wasn't one of the first I had discovered.
• 
  Jennifer

  Not what I expected. This is a book that encourages you to create art everyday via drawing/sketching. Later in the book, other art mediums are introduced for you to enhance your drawings. I thought it was going to be more about unleashing the creative process. It still is a very cool book and a quick read. A lot of the exercises will keep you loose.
• 
  Jennifer B.

  Good for getting the creative juices flowing, and quench the excuses, like "I don't have time, I can't draw", etc.
  
  A quick and easy read, and a great way to get started.