How To Draw Uglydoll by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim
How To Draw Uglydoll by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim is a very funny book with great inspiration for young artists. Uglydolls are visually appealing for kids (and the kids inside all of us) and the text is appropriate for both kids and adults. Like a less commercial Simpson’s or updated Bugs Bunny, the comedy works on two levels.
This isn’t the usual type of book I review but I’m passionate about kids and art. I bought my daughter two Uglydolls when she was a baby and I look forward to giving this book to her in a few years.
What I really enjoy about How to Draw Uglydoll is that it’s not really a how-to-draw book. Sure, there are step-by-step instructions to drawing your favorite Uglydoll, but it’s made clear that you can (and should) draw any dang way you please!
…IMAGINATION! Don’t just follow the rules in this book! (You may not even find any.) If you feel like drawing the characters in a certain way, go for it! If the book tells you to make three eyes and you want to make 100 eyes, PERFECT! That’s what UGLY is all about!
I get pretty irate when I hear parents or teachers “correct” a child’s artwork. Talk about a quick way to squash a kid’s personal expression and self-confidence! That’s why How To Draw Uglydoll is as much about teaching the parent as it is the child.
What does UGLY mean? Ugly means unique! Ugly means special! Anyone can be beautiful, but it takes originality and a lot of bravery to be yourself.
Maybe it sounds preachy and sappy to you but I think this is an important life lesson - for kids and adults.
I get the sense that Horvath and Kim were somewhat hesitant to put out a how-to-draw book. The title is actually not How To Draw an Uglydoll or How To Draw Uglydolls. Instead it’s How to Draw Uglydoll: Ugly Drawings In a Few Easy Steps. It’s a artistic philosophy. So for every step-by-step instruction there is text that tells you to ignore the guide because there’s no such thing as a bad drawing.
It’s not subtle. In cartoon terms, they’re dropping an anvil on your head again and again and again.
If you haven’t stumbled on Uglydolls yet I encourage you to pick up a copy of How To Draw Uglydoll, check out Ugly Town and, for those of you on the cutting edge, follow Uglydolls on Twitter.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:04 am
It always amazes me when people tell me proudly that they never color between the lines. Color between the lines? They ought to be drawing their own pictures.
Thanks for the information on Uglydoll and Uglydoll philosophy.
June 2nd, 2008 at 11:26 am
Hi! I really like the book you guy’s made! I really like uglydog and ice-bat and all the our’s!
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:13 am
Lynn,
Yes! Exactly! Draw whatever you like, however you like. Imagine if someone took this between the lines mentality with Picasso or Miro. Art is about expression. Sure you can learn technique but at the end of the day it’s about communicating what you have inside and that doesn’t come from some color-by-numbers format.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:14 am
Angela,
Thanks for stopping in and commenting. I like the Uglies too and I’m sure David and Sun-Min are thrilled to have another fan.
June 10th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
hi this book is so cool i have ugly guide thats funny too i like to draw so thats a good book to get im a ig fan bye