Art of Sketching

by Sterling Publishing Co.

With just a few bold, quick, and spontaneous strokes, a sketch can capture the spirit of any subject. This outstanding guide—which follows The Art of Drawing , The Art of Drawing the Human Body , and The Art of Drawing Landscapes —teaches everything a novice needs to know to master the art of sketching. Richly illustrated with close-ups of works in progress, it offers strategies for composing intuitively, gaining control of a linear drawing, producing shadows and textures, using tones, and many other vital techniques. There are discussions of tools, plus advice on working outdoors and choosing a topic that’s appropriate for a beginner. As students learn, they’ll produce both natural and urban landscapes, as well as human figures, alone and in a crowd.

159 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not a particularly helpful book. I was already familiar with most of the subjects presented, and I still found this book confusing. The presentation of the material was scattered, and it made sketching (what should be a low-stress and enjoyable practice) seem overwhelming and complicated. The text was unnecessarily vague, and a lot of space was wasted repeating ideas, leaving little room for depth. I would recommend it neither to those starting out nor those looking for a little extra inspiration.

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one that is beyond me. But this one looks more useful than some of the others I have looked at lately. Excellent illustration and discussion of technique and style. Minimal words. Will be a good one for the future.

[Danielle Vasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's a pretty good guide for different tools and scenes for sketching. A pretty complete lesson plan for learning to sketch.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great information. I am just a beginner and I found it helpful. It does go a bit beyond my level. I think I would reread it after I have worked with sketching for awhile. Then maybe I could incorporate more of the techniques. This would be a book to buy for future reference.

[Terrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very good technique descriptions, very vague but some interesting photos.