Sketch Now, Think Later: Jump Into Urban Sketching with Limited Time, Tools, and Techniques

Great book filled with tips for outdoor sketching good book to own

El libro es una herramienta de apoyo para el dibujante urbano, con ejemplos útiles y sugerencias para avanzar en la práctica. No es lo mejor, aunque merece la pena.

I have purchased many art books over the years and this is my all-time favourite. I refer back to it often. It rightly advises that the best way to enjoy sketching and get good at it is to get out there and do it. It begins with excellent advice about a simple and portable set of tools to use and get to know very well. It also recognizes that sketching a living and moving world rewards quickness, which also helps fit sketching into a busy life.The book is very informative and holds nothing back in terms of specific suggestions for materials, subjects and techniques. Yet it is also very well organized and avoids overwhelming the reader.The author's tone is friendly and encouraging. He is a superb sketcher and the book contains many examples of his work that are well connected to the text. More examples of his work and other information are to be found on his website. My favourite quote from the book encourages sketchers to dive in, trusting to instinct and experience and the feeling of the moment: "Don't overthink; you know what to do."I have been an en plein painter and sketcher off and on for many years, but this book encouraged me to do more of it and provided much helpful guidance. As I result, I have happily sketched 139 scenes in the seven months since I purchased it, using the equipment and techniques he recommends.If you want to have fun sketching your world, then this book is an excellent choice, even if you already lead a busy life.

What an excellent resource for beginners and not-beginners alike! I’m an illustrator by trade who stumbled on this book as recommended by another artists blog (James Richards). This book lists out exactly what you need to start your own watercolor sketches and imparts how important mistakes are. Beginners often think that they need to make the final product with the first stroke, and immediately erase to get that line perfect. Don’t! Create that bad line, then create another bad line, then maybe make a good line or two and pretty soon you’re gonna have a page filled with visual texture, so then fill in some lighting with color that is based on an existing scene, and voila! You now have a finished piece! It’s okay if it sucks, if we’re being honest, most art does! But you learn something!I bought this originally because it is a medium that I have wanted to try since it is such a “portable” medium. However, as I was thumbing through, not only did I learn a bunch, but Mike laid out everything for the beginner and I realized this would be perfect for my retired dad who is just now beginning to paint. Well, sometimes, we don’t take to advice from our closest relatives and friends, and I anticipate that, so I look for other sources that can articulate my own thoughts. Mike does way better than I could ever attempt, so, full disclosure, there are now two copies owned by our family!When most of us start our journey we strive to produce representationally accurate drawings and pride ourselves in the technicality that can bring. This book is great because it depicts “loose drawing” which is where true emotion is born. The novice will get caught up in detail, and detail is fun to show off to friends; realism is a great way to show how technically good you are. But to capture a scene that conveys emotion and the whimsy of the movement in a band of musicians, THAT is created through wandering ink paths, and I believe that’s what this book is a great example of. It is a broad guide for you to choose your own path, and Mike lays out the tools you need to create your own trail.In my years at art school the most beneficial lessons I was taught were by my peers and their sketchbooks and processes. Luckily Mike took the time out of his life to display his. Brilliant book, brilliant images, and it is phenomenal that we get to enjoy his efforts.

Sehr schönes Buch, gibt Mut einfach drauf los zu skizzieren. Sicher, der Autor versteht es schönes Skizzen anzufertigen. Aber es macht Mut selber den Stift in die Hand zu nehmen, nicht so viel nachzudenken und einfach machen. Wenn die Perspektive nicht stimmt ist es nicht schlimm. Ich mag diese Art von Büchern, sie helfen mir mit dem -zu sehr denken- aufzuhören.

Nothing wrong with book or packaging, but was a rather dull read. I would recommend other titles too look for inspiration. I Donated it to charity after just a few days.