Tommy Kane: An Excuse to Draw: Tommy Kane Sketches the World

by Tommy Kane (artist)

An illustrated travelogue from comic-inspired artist Tommy Kane Perched on a little camping stool, artist Tommy Kane draws what he sees. His remarkable career has taken him around the world, and he has documented the people and places he’s encountered in his unique painting and drawing style—on location—wherever he goes. He calls New York home, but has a growing international following. Tommy An Excuse to Draw is the first book-length collection of Kane’s work, and it is filled with full-page illustrations and reproductions of pages taken from his sketch books. Kane has worked in advertising as a creative director for more than thirty years. His style is inspired by comic artists like R. Crumb and James Jean, and by Mad Magazine —but his interpretations of the world are decidedly original. With a bag filled with pens and watercolors, Kane records the world as he travels, bringing readers along for the ride. Witty descriptions and observations accompany the hand-drawn, full-color illustrations found throughout the book. Beautifully produced and exquisitely designed, Tommy An Excuse to Draw is the perfect introduction to the world of Tommy Kane.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Drawing

216 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2014

Reviews

[Iván · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinarios dibujos y acuarelas de lugares. Maravilloso.

[Tashina Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to look through and I enjoy his work. Beautifully drawn. Read it and let it go.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really inspiring. Loved reading all the stories about connecting with people along the way. Makes me want to spend my life energy being a street artist too!

[Bill Lancaster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tommy Kane is an obsessed drawer. An art director based in NYC, he travels the world recording what he sees. What is distinct about his drawings is the amount of detail that he puts in. His drawings require that he sit in one public spot for three to five hours obsessively drawing a church in Italy, a series of buildings in Morocco or a cottage in Ireland, a storefront in Hanoi or a concert in the Berkshires. Tommy has a wonderful sense of humor, does not take himself too seriously and is very self-aware of how curious his passion for detailed drawing in public really is. The book is wonderfully designed and generous with its illustrations. It's a terrific book.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can learn something from every drawing, every page - from the Korean manhole to a baseball park. What does he leave out (usually not much), when does he crosshatch, watercolor for shadows. Really interesting...and he's funny. Not to be missed by anyone interested in journaling or drawing. It's OK to be a little squirrely with your drawings!

[Kate Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous. Tommy is an amazing artist. I look at his drawings and I am pulled into each one of them like I was there. I'll be studying his work for a long time. You can learn so much just by looking at how he captured things. I am on awe.

[Mitali · Rating 4 out of 5]

a favourite definitely. the way Tommy is able to highlight the favourite parts of what he's trying to draw really sticks out to me and makes me want to pick up my long forgotten sketchbook that i haven't touched for the last few years

[Megan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kane's sketches are funny and thoughtful. His book is a fun and delightful read. Definitely worth reading for artistic souls and travel bugs.

[Meg Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!

[Cassandra Epalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book. The artist has captured the entire world with his wit, sarcasm, and his magical ink pen. Three cheers for the squirrel!!!

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great forward! And I've been gazing at all the pictures and learning so much!

[Terri D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational. Drawings aren't perfect but they are detailed and very characterful. Loved it.
Hope he delivers on his promise on the back cover...."to be continued".