My book on Fundamental Graphite Techniques at the publisher, the manuscript has been accepted, which is a huge relief. The cover image, and title may well change before publication. I am told the process usulaly takes 12 months, we should see the book in its finished state in spring 2009.
Though I will be named as the author and the artist creating this book it would not have happened without the insistence of many students that I write it. I think the experience of teaching so many wonderfully talented students has taught me more. Now during the process of getting classroom words clearly and simply down on paper Marion Body-Evens kept me focused, kept me true to the ‘message’ and kept my sentences short! Gary, who patiently lent his ear to my endless conversation as I work out the right way to phrase a section, his critical eye when I created the diagrams, and mostly providing me a loving environment in which to complete this book. My children, without whose encouragement and loving support I would never have got to the point where this book was even possible.

INTRODUCTION
Drawing is the foundation of creativity, and technique is the foundation of drawing. I have found drawing comes much more easily when the emphasis is placed on mastering a technique first, creating a solid technical foundation on which drawing skills are built. The core of this book is a series of drawing worksheets designed to teach graphite pencil technique, and build your confidence and control.
Complete the worksheets in order; do not skip around no matter how much you are tempted. As your confidence builds and you progress through the exercises, take the time to repeat every exercise at least once with a new subject of your choice.
Initially, every step in every exercise is drawn on separate layers of tracing paper. This is done to reinforce the idea that it is best to accomplish one step before proceeding to the next. If one layer is not working, you simply put it aside and rework it on a new layer of tracing paper; those that do work remain intact.
Work slowly. It is not easy to have the patience to go slowly, but speed generally slows the process down in the long run. Speed tends to create overlooked, dismissed or ignored errors. Unless corrected, these errors become more and more evident as the process continues. Keep in mind that the final rendered image will need to be fully understood by the viewer.
Try to regard each step in a drawing as equal in importance. Take a drawing one step at a time and if one step is as far as you go, make that step complete and pleasing. When in a learning situation, remember it may take one or it may take many repetitions of a bit of information before you truly absorb and understand it, and can render the desired effect. Do not hesitate to repeat a step until you reach a comfort level. Do not rush. Practice basic drawing techniques regularly just as a musician practices scales.