A Better Pencil

A Better Pencil puts our complex, still-evolving hate-love relationship with computers and the internet into perspective, describing how the digital revolution influences our reading and writing practices, and how the latest technologies differ from what came before.

This the story of how a young man turned $25 into more than 200 schools around the world and the guiding steps anyone can take to lead a successful and significant life. The author began working summers at hedge funds when he was just sixteen years old, sprinting down the path to a successful Wall Street career. But while traveling he met a young boy begging on the streets of India, who after being asked what he wanted most in the world, simply answered, "A pencil." This small request led to a staggering series of events that took the author backpacking through dozens of countries before eventually leaving one of the world's most prestigious jobs at Bain & Company to found Pencils of Promise, the organization he started with just $25 that has since built more than 200 schools around the world. This book chronicles the author's journey to find his calling, as each chapter explains one clear step that every person can take to turn your biggest ambitions into reality, even if you start with as little as $25. His story takes readers behind the scenes with business moguls and village chiefs, world-famous celebrities and hometown heroes. It is filled with compelling stories and shareable insights. All proceeds from this book support Pencils of Promise.

'A Better Pencil' examines the digital revolution in light of the history of writing technology. Baron looks at how we love, fear & actually use our writing machines & how we deploy them to replicate the old ways of doing things while actively generating new modes of mass expression.

This guide offers an outstanding overview of the finer points of pencil work, both for sketching and detailed finished drawings. Author Frank M. Rines discusses approaches to graphite work and techniques for still life and landscape drawing. He emphasizes the importance of good design and composition as well as accuracy, showing how to develop an outlined drawing by adding lights and shadows together with the suggestion of color and texture. Suitable for artists and art students of intermediate and advanced skills, this single-volume edition combines two instructional manuals by Rines, Pencil Drawing and Pencil Sketches. Plentiful illustrations include full-page images as well as smaller images and progressive examples that demonstrate the use of perspective, the contrast of light and shade, and other elements of technique. Subjects include rustic scenes and rural landscapes, with many valuable tips for drawing trees, flowers, doorways, and buildings

Linus and his eraser, Ernie, don't always see eye to eye. But with the family art show drawing near, these two will have to sharpen their collaboration to make something neither one could do on their own! This ode to art by the illustrator of Spoon and Chopsticks points out the power of sharing the creative process and sticking with it.

Andrew Loomis (1892-1959) is revered amongst artists - including comics superstar Alex Ross - for his mastery of drawing. His first book, Fun With a Pencil, published in 1939 is a wonderfully crafted and engaging introduction to drawing, cartooning, and capturing the essence of a subject all while having fun. With delightful step-by-step instruction from Professor Blook, Loomis's charming alter ego on the page.

Named one of the “Best Children’s Books of 2019” by Parents magazine, this funny, clever picture book tells the true story of how Pencil and Eraser became the best of friends. When Pencil draws on the pages of this book, Eraser erases parts of Pencil’s work, and the book itself becomes a canvas for their different takes on creativity—until the two discover their artwork is even better when they work together. From Karen Kilpatrick, Luis O. Ramos, Jr., and illustrator Germán Blanco, When Pencil Met Eraser brings to life something kids use every day at school and at home. Engaging art, adorable characters, and a clever ending create a memorable message about friendship and creativity. An Imprint Book "An imaginative and engaging look into artistic possibility." —Kirkus Reviews “Readers young and old alike will love this imagining of the dynamic duo that is Pencil and Eraser.” —School Library Journal

Capture the feel of your subject on paper. Learn every technique you’ll need to give your colored-pencil drawings realistic, palpable texture. Named One of the 54 Best Colored Pencil Drawing Books of All Time by BookAuthority* There has never been a better opportunity to master textures. Knowing how to make your surfaces and textures look real is one of the most challenging aspects of creating art in colored pencil, even for experienced artists. 101 Textures in Colored Pencil provides artists with step-by-step instructions for drawing a wide variety of the most common textures and surfaces, including sand, water, metals, foliage, wood, fabrics, stone, grass, hair, and many more. To get you started, this comprehensive guide opens with a review of tools and materials as well as basic skills, such as strokes, effects, and color mixing. Plus, the book is organized into sections based on subject matter, so you can easily find the specific texture you’re looking for. Just a sample of the textures you will learn to render: People: smooth skin; aged skin; straight, curly, and wavy hair; lips Animals & Insects: smooth, curly, and course canine fur; elephant skin; feather; fish scales Fabrics & Textiles: burlap, tweed, silk, velvet, leather, lace, sequins Glass, Stone, Ceramics, Wood & Metal: porcelain, polished silver, hammered brass, peeling paint Food & Beverage: red wine, cut citrus fruit, coconut, peach, dark chocolate Nature: smooth and rough bark, moss, river pebbles, still and rippled lake, clouds 101 Textures in Colored Pencil includes all the textures you need to create realistic masterpieces in colored pencil.