What do you think?
Rate this book
The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature: Tips and Techniques for Drawing and Painting Nature on Location
Learn how to make the most of nature in on-location drawings and paintings with artists and Urban Sketcher educators Gail L. Wong and Virginia Hein.
In The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature, Gail and Virginia share their secrets for getting beyond basic greenery. Presenting a variety of approaches, including detailed step-by-step examples and quick, insightful tips, this book explains and clarifies important fundamentals for composition and color and inspires unique treatments and points of view.
Whatever your skill level, you can bring nature to life on the page for urban parks as well as expansive landscapes with The Urban Sketching Spotlight on Nature.
The Urban Sketching Handbook series offers artists expert instruction on creative techniques, on-location tips and advice, and an abundance of visual inspiration. These handy references come in a compact, easy-to-carry format—perfect to toss in your backpack or artist’s tote.
In The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature, Gail and Virginia share their secrets for getting beyond basic greenery. Presenting a variety of approaches, including detailed step-by-step examples and quick, insightful tips, this book explains and clarifies important fundamentals for composition and color and inspires unique treatments and points of view.
Whatever your skill level, you can bring nature to life on the page for urban parks as well as expansive landscapes with The Urban Sketching Spotlight on Nature.
The Urban Sketching Handbook series offers artists expert instruction on creative techniques, on-location tips and advice, and an abundance of visual inspiration. These handy references come in a compact, easy-to-carry format—perfect to toss in your backpack or artist’s tote.
- GenresArtNonfiction
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 10, 2022
32 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 3, 2022
What a lovely book, full of gorgeous art to get inspired from, good tips, and challenges you can try yourself!
I like that there are lots of different artists and different styles as examples, the authors always show you that for each goal you have, there are different ideas/styles/techniques you can try and the book encourages you to experiment and play.
I wouldn't have been against a tiny bit more technical explanations (ex: more techniques about pencil drawing maybe), but there were a few of them and some useful concepts.
It was a great little book to read and I'll be working on the challenges. I've done one so far and it was great! And most importantly, I feel inspired to get out of my comfort zone and experiment more with my sketches. And to try to translate some tips into my digital art practice.
The book felt relaxing to read, as if I was in the flow from drawing, by just analysing the art and thinking about the tips.
I want to thank Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I like that there are lots of different artists and different styles as examples, the authors always show you that for each goal you have, there are different ideas/styles/techniques you can try and the book encourages you to experiment and play.
I wouldn't have been against a tiny bit more technical explanations (ex: more techniques about pencil drawing maybe), but there were a few of them and some useful concepts.
It was a great little book to read and I'll be working on the challenges. I've done one so far and it was great! And most importantly, I feel inspired to get out of my comfort zone and experiment more with my sketches. And to try to translate some tips into my digital art practice.
The book felt relaxing to read, as if I was in the flow from drawing, by just analysing the art and thinking about the tips.
I want to thank Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Read
July 6, 2022I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature by Virginia Hein & Gail L. Wong from Net Galley and Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry, in order to read and give an honest review.
… If you are interested in learning or brushing up your skills this book is for you…
After taking a hiatus from urban sketching for a long time I recently began delving back into it and was lucky enough to be introduced to the The Urban Sketching Handbook Series a collection of wonderful and comprehensive guides on learning the art of urban sketching. The newest entry into the series The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature, is no exception offering a wonderful way to take your sketches to the next level. The authors perfectly describe the storytelling aspect behind urban sketching and how to incorporate nature into your visual stories in a way that captivates viewers. The book starts by giving readers the basics of composition, proportion, shape and structure then goes on to give detailed instructions on drawing natural elements, color theory, the concept of notan and the tools artists will need to create their masterpieces. The book also offers workshop exercises and challenges to help you put each skill into practice.
Overall, I love this series for the simple fact they are all no nonsense, well-written and wonderfully illustrated guides that are packed with tools and techniques suitable for both the novice and expert urban sketchers. I read through The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature a few times and played with a few concepts, but I look forward to putting some of the tricks I’ve learned into action with some serious sketches on my next trip out. If you are interested in learning or brushing up your skills this book is for you, I highly recommend it!
… If you are interested in learning or brushing up your skills this book is for you…
After taking a hiatus from urban sketching for a long time I recently began delving back into it and was lucky enough to be introduced to the The Urban Sketching Handbook Series a collection of wonderful and comprehensive guides on learning the art of urban sketching. The newest entry into the series The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature, is no exception offering a wonderful way to take your sketches to the next level. The authors perfectly describe the storytelling aspect behind urban sketching and how to incorporate nature into your visual stories in a way that captivates viewers. The book starts by giving readers the basics of composition, proportion, shape and structure then goes on to give detailed instructions on drawing natural elements, color theory, the concept of notan and the tools artists will need to create their masterpieces. The book also offers workshop exercises and challenges to help you put each skill into practice.
Overall, I love this series for the simple fact they are all no nonsense, well-written and wonderfully illustrated guides that are packed with tools and techniques suitable for both the novice and expert urban sketchers. I read through The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature a few times and played with a few concepts, but I look forward to putting some of the tricks I’ve learned into action with some serious sketches on my next trip out. If you are interested in learning or brushing up your skills this book is for you, I highly recommend it!
June 6, 2022
Nature gets the spotlight this time in this new instalment of the excellent Urban Sketching Handbook series. And it is another worthwhile title!
Because this is drawing and painting nature in an urban sketching context, the main focus is on incorporating nature in a scene, and not so much nature in close up (though there are a few of that.) Major chapters include finding the character of a place and also finding nature in a city. Tips and techniques abound and are great refreshers for every urban sketcher.
I enjoyed looking at all the sketches in the book (just as I did for all the previous titles in the series.) Loved looking up the instagram accounts of some the artists featured (something I loved to do in the previous titles too.)
I wonder what the publishers will come up next for this wonderful series. Can't wait!
Because this is drawing and painting nature in an urban sketching context, the main focus is on incorporating nature in a scene, and not so much nature in close up (though there are a few of that.) Major chapters include finding the character of a place and also finding nature in a city. Tips and techniques abound and are great refreshers for every urban sketcher.
I enjoyed looking at all the sketches in the book (just as I did for all the previous titles in the series.) Loved looking up the instagram accounts of some the artists featured (something I loved to do in the previous titles too.)
I wonder what the publishers will come up next for this wonderful series. Can't wait!
October 19, 2022
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 5.0 of 5
I really love this art book series!
As I've noted before, in the review of one of the other books in the series, there is no shortage of 'how to' art books. I've bought more than a handful myself, and rarely do I come away actually feeling enlightened in regards to a new technique or a new way of looking at something. But I do come away from this Urban Sketching Handbook series feeling as though I've picked up something new.
Spotlight on Nature, by Virginia Hein and Gail L. Wong, provides a number of tips and tricks for artists including the natural environment in their work. This isn't just about landscapes or drawings/sketches of flora, but the inclusion of natural elements in a sketch.
The book isn't really for the beginning artist (though I think a true beginner will still pick up some valuable tips here) but for the artist with some general art skills looking to build those skills. Rather than spending entire chapters with detail explanations and step by step sketches, the authors point to an included ketch and explain what the artist did well, sometimes highlighting the topic of discussion ("Paul conveys the feeling of rock surfaces bathed in light while building texture in the shadow areas.")
In the discussion on sketching/painting water, I really appreciated the look at three different artists and three very different styles of depicting moving water in a sketch.
One of the real appeals to this series (and this book) is that many different artists are represented in all the explanations. Forty-two different names are acknowledged as contributors, and I think this really helps the reader/artist see the different approaches to a subject.
Something that I see in this book that I don't remember in any of the others is a checklist of 'challenges'. I like this idea of asking the reader/artist to now try the different things that had just been pointed out. I haven't done any of these yet, but I definitely intend to do so.
My only complaint is that my ARC is a digital copy and I think that art books like this (really appropriately sized for carrying ease) need to be hard copies for looking at again and again.
Looking for a good book? The Urban Sketching Handbook: Spotlight on Nature by Virginia Hein and Gail L. Wong is another excellent how-to art book in The Urban Sketching Handbook series. Any artist looking to build on their skills, specifically in regards to our natural world, really owes it to themselves to get this book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
I really love this art book series!
As I've noted before, in the review of one of the other books in the series, there is no shortage of 'how to' art books. I've bought more than a handful myself, and rarely do I come away actually feeling enlightened in regards to a new technique or a new way of looking at something. But I do come away from this Urban Sketching Handbook series feeling as though I've picked up something new.
Spotlight on Nature, by Virginia Hein and Gail L. Wong, provides a number of tips and tricks for artists including the natural environment in their work. This isn't just about landscapes or drawings/sketches of flora, but the inclusion of natural elements in a sketch.
The book isn't really for the beginning artist (though I think a true beginner will still pick up some valuable tips here) but for the artist with some general art skills looking to build those skills. Rather than spending entire chapters with detail explanations and step by step sketches, the authors point to an included ketch and explain what the artist did well, sometimes highlighting the topic of discussion ("Paul conveys the feeling of rock surfaces bathed in light while building texture in the shadow areas.")
In the discussion on sketching/painting water, I really appreciated the look at three different artists and three very different styles of depicting moving water in a sketch.
One of the real appeals to this series (and this book) is that many different artists are represented in all the explanations. Forty-two different names are acknowledged as contributors, and I think this really helps the reader/artist see the different approaches to a subject.
Something that I see in this book that I don't remember in any of the others is a checklist of 'challenges'. I like this idea of asking the reader/artist to now try the different things that had just been pointed out. I haven't done any of these yet, but I definitely intend to do so.
My only complaint is that my ARC is a digital copy and I think that art books like this (really appropriately sized for carrying ease) need to be hard copies for looking at again and again.
Looking for a good book? The Urban Sketching Handbook: Spotlight on Nature by Virginia Hein and Gail L. Wong is another excellent how-to art book in The Urban Sketching Handbook series. Any artist looking to build on their skills, specifically in regards to our natural world, really owes it to themselves to get this book.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2022
A spotlight on Nature
Author, designer, and sketcher Virginia Hein and architect, illustrator, educator, and urban sketcher Gail L. Wong present "The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature. Tips and Techniques for Drawing and Painting Nature on Location", published by Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry. After the introduction the book is divided into five keys: 1) How We See Nature, 2) How We Draw Nature, 3) Finding the Character of a Place, 4) Finding Nature in the City, and 5) More Ways to Represent Nature. The authors state as their goal: "In this book we want to show you how spotlighting, or even
simply suggesting, nature in a sketch is key to showing what is unique to a particular region or location. So much of urban sketching focuses on human-made structures and humans themselves, but what we’ll explore here is the role nature plays, how it shapes our natural environment and enhances our urban environments" (p. 7). About nature they say: "Nature invites us to carefully observe, so we hope you’ll enjoy exploring and discovering new ways to express yourself in capturing nature around you!" (p. 7).
This is the 8th "Urban Sketching Handbook" which I read. I appreciate the examples and drawings of the various artists, the tips and workshops through the book, and the fact that the authors list which medium were used for a specific painting / drawing (e.g., gouache, watercolor, ink, ...). I also appreciate the teachings about many topics such as "skies and clouds", "wet-on-wet technique", "the seasons", or "random nature". The book closes with a galley, with challenges for the readers, and a list of the contributors of the drawings / paintings. I highly recommend the book to beginners as well as advanced artists.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheUrbanSketchingHandbookSpotlightOnNature #Netgalley
Author, designer, and sketcher Virginia Hein and architect, illustrator, educator, and urban sketcher Gail L. Wong present "The Urban Sketching Handbook Spotlight on Nature. Tips and Techniques for Drawing and Painting Nature on Location", published by Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry. After the introduction the book is divided into five keys: 1) How We See Nature, 2) How We Draw Nature, 3) Finding the Character of a Place, 4) Finding Nature in the City, and 5) More Ways to Represent Nature. The authors state as their goal: "In this book we want to show you how spotlighting, or even
simply suggesting, nature in a sketch is key to showing what is unique to a particular region or location. So much of urban sketching focuses on human-made structures and humans themselves, but what we’ll explore here is the role nature plays, how it shapes our natural environment and enhances our urban environments" (p. 7). About nature they say: "Nature invites us to carefully observe, so we hope you’ll enjoy exploring and discovering new ways to express yourself in capturing nature around you!" (p. 7).
This is the 8th "Urban Sketching Handbook" which I read. I appreciate the examples and drawings of the various artists, the tips and workshops through the book, and the fact that the authors list which medium were used for a specific painting / drawing (e.g., gouache, watercolor, ink, ...). I also appreciate the teachings about many topics such as "skies and clouds", "wet-on-wet technique", "the seasons", or "random nature". The book closes with a galley, with challenges for the readers, and a list of the contributors of the drawings / paintings. I highly recommend the book to beginners as well as advanced artists.
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheUrbanSketchingHandbookSpotlightOnNature #Netgalley
June 18, 2022
I love the Urban Sketching books and this one is no exception. This particular one focuses on drawing nature. It has different sections focusing on incorporating nature into your sketches, teaching you how to draw specific elements of nature and then lots of inspiration and examples. It has a lot of technical examples and walkthroughs for drawing different trees, etc. As someone who really enjoys drawing nature, I've loved having both the inspiration and the technical instruction in this book.
with gratitude to netgalley and Quarry Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
with gratitude to netgalley and Quarry Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2022
I always wanted to learn how to sketch especially some of the beautiful nature in large urban parks. With the advice for planning and drawing, I went out to try it. My sketch was pretty good for the first time doing it. I am encouraged to try again and will do so. I don’t expect to compete with the artists in this book but I will try some of the ideas for sketching. If you want to try, this book is a good place to learn. The tips are very helpful.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
June 3, 2022
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a nice book on sketching and painting!
The book covers how to choose your subject, how to frame it, and how to put together a good picture. There is also a list of "challenges" or things you can do to help improve your art in the back. There are helpful examples throughout the book where Hein breaks down some of the technical pieces of deciding how big something is and what your perspective will be.
This is a surprisingly technical book on making art.
This is a nice book on sketching and painting!
The book covers how to choose your subject, how to frame it, and how to put together a good picture. There is also a list of "challenges" or things you can do to help improve your art in the back. There are helpful examples throughout the book where Hein breaks down some of the technical pieces of deciding how big something is and what your perspective will be.
This is a surprisingly technical book on making art.
June 23, 2022
Woops! Got to this Netgalley book a little late, mostly because I lost track of time. Anyway, very solid art tutorial book with lots of interesting examples and some solid art challenges sprinkled throughout after each section. I did think it interesting that the guide to color and notan were put at the very back of the book, which I feel would have made more sense at the front, but that is a very minor quibble and overall I enjoyed reading this.
Will I go out and paint from nature now? Maybe, but not in humid, hot, southern USA weather in the summer for sure . . . . :D
Will I go out and paint from nature now? Maybe, but not in humid, hot, southern USA weather in the summer for sure . . . . :D
May 27, 2022
As a person who can’t draw but always makes it look okay if I try, I found this book very helpful. All the tips on how to draw certain things with examples from different artists actually helped me a lot. I also really like the list of challenges to do, which is provided at the end of the book. I’ll have to spend some time in summer trying to do all of them 😊
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2022
Once you have down the basic skills of your medium, and are tired of working on your brushstrokes, the next step is how to decide what to paint or draw. What makes a good picture or painting? How do you work the angles, or frame the main focus of the work. This book covers all that! It is a perfect reference for every artist of all experience levels. Its size means it can you into your kit for working on the go!
July 23, 2022
4.5
Thank you to Edelweiss for this DRC.
Very detailed advice on technique, making this great for all artists. Loads of work from different artists to inspire.
Thank you to Edelweiss for this DRC.
Very detailed advice on technique, making this great for all artists. Loads of work from different artists to inspire.
August 29, 2022
Maybe less helpful for me than other books in this series, but always enjoy the inspiring work
September 30, 2022
Very inspiring and lots of pretty art, a gallery as well as a guide and introduction to urban/nature sketching basics.
January 12, 2026
Helpful but not amazing!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews