Creating and Understanding Drawings by Gene A. Mittler and James D. Howze is a comprehensive drawing textbook that introduces students to both the practical and theoretical foundations of drawing. Designed for secondary school and introductory college art courses, the book combines studio practice with art appreciation, criticism, aesthetics, and art history. Rather than focusing only on drawing techniques, it encourages readers to develop visual literacy—learning to observe, interpret, and create drawings with confidence.

Through step-by-step demonstrations, studio exercises, and analyses of works by renowned artists, the book teaches essential drawing skills such as line, shape, value, texture, perspective, composition, proportion, and expressive drawing. It also introduces readers to a variety of drawing media, including graphite, charcoal, ink, colored pencils, and mixed media. Later editions expand coverage with topics such as animation, computer imaging, and careers in art, making the text relevant for modern art education. Richly illustrated with professional artwork and student examples, it remains a respected educational resource for aspiring artists, teachers, and art students.