Who hasn't looked at art - everything from the enigmatic Mona Lisa and the pastel hues of the Impressionists through to the vividness of David Hockney and Quentin Blake's quirky characters - and wished they could paint or draw like that? Are you the sort of person who looks at a beautiful view, or an interesting face, and feels nothing but frustration when you realise that your chances of getting that lovely thing down on paper are close to nil? Well, we're not promising anything, but 'How to Draw Almost Everything' by Chika Miyata will at least give you the skills to give it a go.

It takes you right back to the basics: which pens and pencils to use for best effect, and which exercises to do when warming up to draw (don't worry - it doesn't involve running on the spot). It shows you how to 'build' a drawing: a panda, for instance, starts with a circle (which develops into its head), while a tarantula starts with something that looks like a fluffy cloud and ends up being its abdomen. There are sections on drawing people, their clothing and expressions, and what to think about when trying to portray a famous face. You can learn how to draw trees and plants: not just things that are brown and green and look vaguely of vegetable origin, but how to draw a willow, or an oak, a wisteria or a rose. It covers food and furniture, planes, trains and boats, weather and landscapes. As the title suggests, just about everything really.

It might lead to a career as an artist, but even if it doesn't, you'll have some fun along the way.

Chika Miyata is an illustrator best known for her cheerful depictions of animals and everyday life. She has worked in the advertising industry and has exhibited her work in galleries throughout Japan.