Drawing Is Magic: Discovering Yourself in a Sketchbook

By John Hendrix

A sketchbook is more than a place to draw--it's a place to think, experiment, and discover how you see the world.

In Drawing Is Magic, New York Times bestselling author and illustrator John Hendrix invites readers into a lively, hands-on exploration of creativity, where drawing becomes a daily habit and a powerful way of understanding ideas.

Blending instruction with visual storytelling, Hendrix breaks down the fundamentals of drawing while encouraging readers to embrace imperfection, curiosity, and play. Through a series of prompts, exercises, and illustrated examples, he shows how even simple marks can evolve into expressive images--and how the act of drawing itself can unlock confidence and creative voice.

Rather than a traditional how-to manual, this book works as both guide and companion. Hendrix shares insights from his own sketchbooks and professional practice, offering an honest look at the creative process--false starts, breakthroughs, and all. Readers learn not just techniques, but ways of seeing: how to observe closely, think visually, and translate complex ideas into clear, engaging images.

Accessible to beginners yet rich enough for experienced artists, Drawing Is Magic is a practical, inspiring invitation to start drawing--and to keep going. Whether used as an art primer, a creative reset, or a daily practice tool, it's a book that rewards returning to the page again and again.

"Drawing is Magic is like a workbook created by Willy Wonka . . . John] Hendrix is so entertaining and encouraging in his instructions that budding artists of any age will want to take the book to a nearby corner, pull out a favorite pen and start sketching." --St. Louis Post-Dispatch

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1617691372
• ISBN13: 9781617691379
• Release Date: March 2015
• Publisher: Abrams Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.5" x 9.0"