Jon Gnagy Master Art Studio Set

For those who don't know Jon Gnagy, he started the learn-to-draw how-to shows on TV. Back in the day, I always watched his show in fascination - how he would take simple lines and create a beautiful scene. I had his Learn-To-Draw set as a kid and it helped teach me how to draw, understanding and using shading and perspective. It was one of my favorite creative toys for years, and I learned so much from it. I was adding depth and movement to my drawings way beyond what my schoolmates were doing, because of it. One of the kidlets in my family (a 9 year old) is very artistic so I gave this to her as a birthday gift and she really appreciates it.The contents of the set are almost exactly the same as the one that I had as a child, from the artist's drawing and carbon pencils to black chalk to the smudge sticks/smudge pad to the pliable white eraser to the pencil sharpener. Since it is the "Master Set" it also includes colored pastels, two trays of water color paints, and two paint brushes. Large sheets of white paper are included.Of course, the gem of the product - and the thing alone worth getting it for is the "Learn To Draw" booklet which, I'm happy to say, is exactly the same one I remembered. What a walk down memory lane that was, to see those lessons on how to draw a still life with that large pumpkin, and the one about drawing the harlequin Great Dane. I was reading over the instructions on how to create depth and perspective and they are just as clear now as they were then, and after having quite a few art classes in life, I realize how much I learned from that book. There are also booklets on learning to draw the human figure (no genitalia shown) and a color booklet on drawing landscapes. There are fold-out instruction on drawing with pastels and painting with watercolors.The only lack in this set is that there is no separate drawing board. I suppose the sturdy cardboard storage section of the box could be used for that, but I missed the one that came with the set that I had as a kid. That thing lasted forever, way beyond the time that the art supplies had all been used up. It looks like a different Jon Gnagy set still contains a drawing board though:  Jon Gnagy Original Learn to Draw Set If you've got a kid in your family who loves to draw, I would recommend getting either this set or the one mentioned above. The key is the learning to DRAW aspect, because once you learn the lines, perspective, vanishing point and shading of simple drawing, it is very easy to apply those things to other mediums like watercolors and oil paints.(P.S. If you're interested in seeing Jon Gnagy in action, there's videos of him up on the 'Tubes.)

This is a Christmas gift for a 9 year old granddaughter. Anything put out by John Gnagy association has got to be good. Remember him on TV in my own childhood. Should be great instruction.

I have an original Jon Gnagy Art Studio and this is NOTHING at all like it. The paper is thinner than the CHEAPEST printer paper, would not stand watercolors or oil crayons and had no "tooth" for charcoals. CHEAP CHEAP QUALITY. An embarrassment to Jon Gnagy's name. The drawing pencils must have been of the least possible quality because they all came smashed to pieces.yBuy the books only--they are still a treasure.

Great gift for grand daughter. She loves it and is now taking art lessons.

Going to award this to a kid from 7- 10 years old who is a winner in an art contest.

A delightful art product. Highly recommend for the artistic child or adult.

Reminds me of the kit I had as a child.

BOUGHT IT FOR MY NUIECE AND SHE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT.