British writer and artist Mervyn Peake is not only well-known for his Gormenghast trilogy of novels, but also for his work as an illustrator, most notably for Lewis Carroll s "Alice in Wonderland." In the "Craft of the Lead Pencil, "Peake draws on his own experience as an illustrator to offer an unusual and charming guide for anyone looking to experiment with pencil drawing. Originally published in 1946, this little treatise on the simple art of drawing is more than just a how-to book, placing Peake s own literary and artistic sensibilities alongside many of his beautiful line drawings, which clearly illustrate his instructions and showcase his love of the medium. This will be a charming gift book for anyone interested in drawing, sketching, and process of making art as well as a treasured token for the numerous Peake fans. ".