When I was scouring the shelves to find out what books I had available for the #1954Club, there were a number of books I pulled out as possibles that I suspected I wouldn’t actually get to; and “The Craft of the Lead Pencil” by Mervyn Peake was one of them. Peake is a long-term love of mine; I read his Gormenghast books when I was in my teens and they changed me. However, this short work, his take on how to learn to draw, wasn’t on my radar to read now. But there was a DNF for 1954, about which I said more on my closing 1954 post, and the Peake was there and I thought to myself that I probably hadn’t read it since I obtained my fragile, foxed copy and before you know it I was reading it… Alas, it was only as I got to the end that I realised the book was actually published in 1946 – I did get in a tangle with some dates for this club; but I thought I would share a few thoughts here anyway.
I’ve written about Peake before, as he’s an author who whose books were some of my formative reads, and I’ve revisited the first of his Gormenghast books here. As well as an author, however, he was a magnificent artist – his works are like no-one else’s as far as I’m concerned – and “Lead Pencil…” was published in the same year as “Titus Groan”. “Lead…” is a short work, just over 20 pages, and yet contains much to feed the artistic mind.
There are, of courses, many ‘how-to-draw’ books, and speaking as someone who can’t, I’ve never found them a lot of help. “Lead…” however, takes a straightforward view, breaking down the art into short sections of instruction, with headings such as ‘Direction of Light’, ‘Line’ , ‘Minor Shadows’, ‘Proportion’ etc. These sections are illustrated with examples from Peake and he’s remarkably good at convincing the reader they *can* draw; I must admit to wishing I’d had such practical instruction in art classes at school, as unless you showed natural talent you were pretty much ignored. Peake is clear that to draw you need to practice, but to be able to practice you need guidance such as that provided here.
The drawings are distinctively Peake, and so if you like his style you’ll definitely like this book; I know he doesn’t appeal to everyone but I think his work is stunning. There’s an underlying darkness running through both his writing and his art, and even a simple drawing of a head (like the one shown above) is far from ordinary. With so many of my older books, it’s probably decades since I looked at this one; so even thought it wasn’t one I could include in the #1954Club, I’m so glad I was nudged into picking it up. I’ve been enjoying reconnecting with authors from my earlier years, and I rather think I’d need to recommence my re-read of the Gormenghast books sooner rather than later! 😀
Kaggsy's Bookish Ramblings 
May 02, 2022 @ 11:06:31
This sounds lovely, and useful! Like you, I received no real instruction in drawing at school and I wish I had. I don’t think I’d be brilliant but I could aspire to competence!
May 02, 2022 @ 15:14:25
It’s a beautiful book and a lovely read – I’m not sure if it contains enough practical stuff to get me past incompetent but I would like to have been taught a few techniques!!
May 02, 2022 @ 12:17:32
Oh, this sounds interesting! I’ve never, ever, been able to draw well (I’m a stick figure sort of an artist…), and it’s appealing to have a practical look at how to draw better – for people like who don’t even qualify as rank beginners!
May 02, 2022 @ 15:06:19
It’s fascinating, Margot. I love art but just can’t draw so this was a wonderful read. Convinced that I would need to practice a lot, though….
May 02, 2022 @ 18:27:18
This sounds like a lovely little book, especially with your great love of Peake, who I have never read. I have always wished I could draw, but alas I am absolutely hopeless.
May 03, 2022 @ 11:57:49
It’s a real treat, and it’s made me wish I’d had more encouragement when I was young…
May 02, 2022 @ 18:37:53
This does sound interesting. I can draw cartoons and horses and that’s it, weirdly. But yes, our art teaching was directed at those with natural talent and that was it, although we did get to try different crafts when in 6th form and not studying for art exams.
May 03, 2022 @ 11:57:08
Same with me – if you had flair you were encouraged, if not pretty much left to your own devices. A shame!
May 02, 2022 @ 20:36:38
I loved the Gormenghast books when I read them years ago and I’ve been meaning to re-read them for ages. I’ve never investigated his other books, but this sounds interesting, even though I’m not much good at drawing!
May 03, 2022 @ 11:56:37
He really was a polymath – his visual arts, his poems and his fiction were all brilliant. And I really should continue my re-read of the Gormenghast books!
May 03, 2022 @ 01:25:30
I also like Mervyn Peake’s art which I came across first, awareness of the books came far later and I still haven’t read them, but would definitely like to at some point. In spite of the date mix-up I’m very glad you wrote about this little volume, especially as it’s one that is unfortunately unlikely to cross my path any time soon.
May 03, 2022 @ 11:55:46
Peake is a long time favourite of mine – I first read him when I was 18 and have loved him since! He’s definitely not for everyone but if you like his art I would definitely recommend trying his fiction! This is a little treat, and I think it was reprinted later so you might be able to find that edition at least!
May 04, 2022 @ 01:16:20
From a cursory search it looks like I’d have to have it shipped across the pond, unfortunately.
May 04, 2022 @ 10:18:51
Oh pooh…. 🙁
May 03, 2022 @ 17:55:52
What a beautiful book, Karen. I didn’t know about Peake’s skills as an artist, so I’ve discovered something new here. Like others, I wish I could draw, but sadly I’m absolutely hopeless when it comes to anything remotely artistic. One of my goddaughters has a real flair for it, and she’s currently studying medicine, there was a point when I thought she might go down a more creative route. A wonderful talent to have, for sure!
May 04, 2022 @ 10:22:12
It’s a lovely (if old and fragile) volume. His art is stunning as far as I’m concerned and his natural talent immense. I love art but can’t draw and I would love to have been taught properly. My middle child is very good and considered continuing with it, but as a career choice it’s risky because unless you’re drive and very talented I don’t think it’s easy to make a living…
May 04, 2022 @ 03:44:05
This looks lovely, and I like that you found his instruction straightforward enough to be of help. I’m also rather terrible at drawing and don’t have much hope of getting any better. I must try and read something of his sometime. The only Peake I’ve read so far is some of his funny children’s verse which was part of a collected volume I had as a child. Aunts and Uncles is one I remember best from it.
May 04, 2022 @ 10:18:36
I can’t draw for toffee so this is definitely wish fulfilment for me! A lovely read though. I suspect the book you’ve read is A Book of Nonsense – Peake was such a polymath, what with his art and his rhymes and his ficttion. I definitely recommend the Gormenghast books!
May 04, 2022 @ 17:54:01
Me neither. If I remember right this was a collected volume with nonsense verse from Peake, Lear, and a few others, a present from my mother’s friend when I was 7 or 8. I do mean to pick up Gormenghast at some point.
May 04, 2022 @ 20:24:14
Oh, that sounds like a lovely collection! And I hope you get to Gormenghast at some point!
May 05, 2022 @ 04:00:47
Found it, it’s called The Target Book of Fun and Games and it has verse from Peake, Milligan, Lear, Milne, Charles Casuley, Lear’s nonsense botany, some jokes and riddles, and brain teasers. It was my introduction to many of these authors. The King’s Breakfast is in it which is a another poem I loved as a child and still do.
May 05, 2022 @ 10:31:54
Oh, how fascinating! I had so many Target books as a kid!
May 05, 2022 @ 10:40:31
It’s great fun. I found myself browsing through it since I dug it out–there’s also a poem by Mabel M Stevenson (Crocodile Tears) whom I haven’t encountered out of the book; lots of limericks by authors known and unknown, also Ogden Nash.
May 05, 2022 @ 10:41:29
Lovely!! 😊
May 05, 2022 @ 00:30:37
His drawings are lovely. I would love to draw but it is slow going. My sister is a good artist and she told me to just throw away the books and draw everyday. I understand though about needing some instruction. I’m very good at crooked lines and no perspective 😁😁😁
May 05, 2022 @ 10:35:41
Your sister’s advice is probably the best, though I do feel I would like a little guidance on technique. I can’t do a straight line to save my life!!!