Fast Sketching Techniques

by David Rankin

Though trained to draw in a more leisurely academic style, the author found that working in the field required a different set of tools and techniques, which he shares here, with numerous examples of his own work. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Genres: Art, Drawing, Nonfiction, Reference

144 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well presented and well written instruction guide of how to sketch quickly out in the field. I have been trying to draw more from life and thought this would help. This book was more for the beginning artist though so it did not help me that much. If you are just learning how to draw you will probably get a lot more out of this book. Well done, just not that helpful to the more advanced artist.

[Michael Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rankin’s Fast Sketching Techniques is an interesting book, but not really applicable to what I think I am looking for. He seems to approach sketching as an intensely personal method to quickly generate shapes and forms that he can later turn into what he calls drawings and paintings. A lot of the advice is golden — do the big shapes first, practice drawing at fixed time limits — but he also recommends always using a soft, easily blendable 9B pencil, which to me means I am not going to be making stand-alone sketches using his techniques. I do like his advice of pausing the TV to freeze frame a dynamic activity for drawing — I will try that. I also like the chapters on sketching people. Overall, this is a good book, and I did find some great advice in it.

[Reuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very good suggestions for practice.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid technique on sketching (as opposed to drawing); for a visual artist, the technique comes in handy sooner rather than later. Author gives many exercise to sharpen this skill. Highly recommended.

[TeriC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of ideas to help us sketch faster.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for beginners or people that aren't familiar with a loose & fast drawing style. Quite useful.