Drawing Lab for Mixed-media artists is a great book to get you reinvigorated for art. That being said, it is a book. It's only going to give you as much as you're willing to put in. If you plan to give up at the first road block, this is not the book for you. If you really want to commit to the suggested exercises (many of which meaning drawing in public) you'll love this book! The 'reccommended' materials list is blissfully small on the page and like Sonheim says, if you don't have it, improvise. Listen to her words of advice and more than that 'just do it' use this book as a springboard to being the artist you always wanted to and put your fears aside.