You Need This Book

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!

Today, upon request, I'll flip through the pages of my book Life Is Better When You Draw It. It took me about 2 years to write, design and self-publish the book. And it sounds easy, but there's a LOT to figure out as an illustrator who temporarily takes on the role of an writer and self-publishing author. Especially when you never self-published a book before. So today I will be sharing the challenges, obstacles, highs and lows of the book making process.

Life Is Better When You Draw It is an illustrated book for people who love drawing, but need inspiration to do so. It is also a tribute to drawing, and a glimpse into the world through the eyes of an artist. It is about how drawing can make you happy and mindful. As your paper soaks up the ink, you clear your head and forget about time and your to-do list.

The book (which by the way is in English) doesn't contain art instruction, because what you need even more when you want to draw is motivation, permission, and encouragement. No matter the outcome, the process of drawing makes you happy, and that’s what it’s all about.

My familiar mantra is: everything is interesting when you draw it. My book aims to inspire the reader to see the beauty in everyday things, and to capture it in line, shape and color.
Part art meditation, part celebration of life, Life Is Better When You Draw It is for anyone who wants to be truly present, and joyful, in their lives.

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My book "Life is better when you draw it" is now available for you to purchase online.
I wrote the book for people who love drawing and need inspiration.
It's about how drawing can make you happy and mindful. In the book, I share ways to embrace the daily sketchbook habit, tips, and lots of drawings from my sketchbooks.

Copyrights Koosje Koene

[mhd]

I'm now waiting for this book to arrive and join my collection of Danny's books!

[lucelaliberte]

I bought it and I love it !! It is clear, generously illustrated. Very motivating. And the funny thing is that I even hear your voice while reading it ! Thank you for having written it. It is always at my hand. ;¬)

[anuveg]

I love this book! I’m half way through and it is full of beautiful drawings, great tips and advice and best of all a very can do attitude towards drawing. The book itself is so nicely made with lovely thick pages and lots of gorgeous color. Just looking at the sunny yellow cover makes me happy. I’m so glad I bought this from the great British bookshop. Thank you, Koosje for all the good energy you put into the world.

[PaulaSilva-elzs]

Hi, I got the book, its super, very clear, direct language, well organized chapters, lovely and impacfull drawings and mostly full of inspiring enthusiam. I am currently with back pain, cannot even sit confortably, but it led me to draw anyway, standing up or shortly sitting to do fast drawings. I highly recommend it!

[Carlos-qzul]

Your 📖 is a feast for the 👀 and for the spirit. On learning so much in the process of crafting it, you succeed in transmitting this boldness which goes beyond doing 🎨. Congrats ! 👏

[kirsten]

After watching your flip through of the book, and knowing how drawing is an integral part of your life, I decided how much I would pay for this beautiful book, and your price is perfect. Looking very forward to this book!

[vdyson]

Beautiful book, that in itself feels like a sketchbook! Admiration for you in self-publishing it. I've ordered it 🙂

[karenvc]

I love this book. Self-published or not, it's very high-quality, feels substantial in my hands when curl up with it in bed and marvel at Koosje's wonderful illustrations.

[artjojo]

I must tell you that I read this book covered to cover when I received it. It is definitely an inspirational book. This is one of those books that you refer back to and you also go back and just look at the sketches. All I can say is, if you only have one book in your budget, this is the book to buy.

It goes without saying that her sketches are always wonderful. I wish I had that kind of skill. Thank you, Koosje.

[robcooper]

Love your enthusiasm and guidance.
Just ordered the book, looking forward to enjoying more of your wisdom.

[beedee]

Congratulations! I self-published an "interesting and alternative" careers book almost 25 years ago here in Australia (I was a freelance Make-Up Artist in the entertainment industries at the time). Computers and in particular the internet was in it's infancy (to say the least) so marketing and selling via computer was not established as a "valid" way of selling/buying. People would send me cheques in the mail instead of buying online. Anyway, to cut a long story short, it did end up being a "best seller" (you don't have to sell many books in Australia for it to be a best seller) but the whole process of trying to pioneer (be the test bunny) for online selling was a horrendous experience. I'm so so thrilled that people with original ideas and enough "oomph" can get their creations out there so much easier these days.

Your book looks fabulous and I will definitely grab a copy. My drawing skills are lacking (I'm a painter rather than a drawer), so this will nicely fill a gap that is wanting. I know how much goes into creating a finished, hard copy book so you have not only my congratulations but also my utmost respect. All the very very best to you - Beverley x
PS Digital printing was definitely not an option in 1999 so I still have boxes of unsold books in my garage 😆

[lauryreed]

I bought your book & I love it. Thanks

[daltrainer]

Many thanks to Tosca and Suzan!! This is such a wonderful book! I've read it twice already, and I'm going to start on #3 shortly. I get something new from it each time. I'm glad you self-published. A publishing company might have made it more "commercial" and less "Koosje"!! Thank you for this gift to the drawing community.

[AleeshaSattva]

Finally the shipping prices have come down and so... today... I hit the "buy now" button!!! Can't wait for my copy!!!

[angeladee]

It looks like a beautiful book. I've added it to my Amazon wish list. The price is prohibitive for me that is true. Not because I don't believe I will get value from it, simply because I am very low income and such a purchase will take time for me to squeeze out of my income somehow. This flip through, seeing how beautiful and inspiring it looks, and listening to your process, were very beneficial in allowing me to see that even though it is a significant purchase compared to the rest of my Amazon wish list books (including postage it will cost me 67 Australian dollars, where the average boom costs 20 to 30), I really want it and when I do manage to get it, I will truely value it ❤️

[nosedekemerio]

I haven't finished reading the book yet but I'm enyoing it a lot. I love your drawing style and the way you encourage us to include art in our daily routine. Congratulations for the book! Sooo much work behind it. Thanks!

[margaretpolly]

I bought two, one for me and one for a friend. Such a great book!

[christelmauke]

Hi, I ordert this book today. Can't stop watching this video!!!❤ So glad you made this process und I can buy your book now 🤩

[JF-kvgm]

Your book is waiting for me at my brother's in the UK. A good reason to visit after 3 years of not "going home". Can't wait to get my hands on it!!

[fabtext]

What a monumental endeavor! Waiting for my copy to arrive right now. Can't wait! Thank you for sharing the pages in this video.