Sketching is arguably one of the most important skills for an artist to have in their repertoire. It allows for not only creating masterpieces in physical form, but learning how to better observe the world around them and understand subjects from many angles. Whether you’re interested in creating stunning still life sketches, journaling about your travels or desires, or learning how to better represent people and places, sketching is an essential tool for all artists. Here, we are going to look closer at some of the best books on sketching which are out there to help take your sketches and art to the next level.
Sketching
For those just beginning, learning the basics of sketching is essential before progressing onto more complex topics. To do so, you’ll need some guidance, and what better way than via a book? The best book on sketching to start off with is undoubtedly “The Foundation of the Freelance Artist.” Written by leading art educators, this comprehensive guide offers solid advice on the basics required for a successful sketch artist. Alongside terminology, it covers topics such as facial recognition, color and line theory, perspective, and proportion, which is enough to get a budding artist off the ground.
Understanding The Body in Sketching
This sketching book by Andrew Loomis, ‘Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth,’ is a must-read for artists of all levels. Covering a range of topics, from characters and animals to landscapes, the book features step-by-step visual tutorials to help you master the art of sketching people and animals in exacting detail. Not only does it explain the basic theories behind understanding the human body, but also provides exceptional, precise advice on how to create more realistic sketches.
Illustrated Textbooks
When it comes to step-by-step illustrated textbooks on sketching, there’s no better choice than ‘The Sketchbook Art School.’ Written by Coloursation, this book is filled with detailed, professional illustrations, drawing exercises, and easy-to-follow instructions. In it, you will find a variety of exercises to help you study and practice different drawing methods, such as shading, cartography, and other drawing methods. From the fundamentals to the practical, this book is an excellent resource for learning how to sketch.
Developing Your Own Style
When it comes to developing your own sketching style, ‘The Big Book of Drawing Animals’ by Mark Bergin is an essential. This comprehensive guide covers everything from basic sketching techniques and anatomy to texture, form, and proportion. Whether you’re interested in creating stunning wildlife sketches or drawing animals for special occasions, this book is a must-have. The Big Book of Drawing Animals also offers a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions to help you create your own unique sketches.
Quick Tips For Sketching
As an artist, it’s important to also have access to quick tips on sketching. An especially good resource is ‘The Art of Sketching’ by Tyler Edlin. This book gives an incredibly comprehensive range of tutorials, tips, and tricks which will take your sketching to the next level. It includes methods such as contouring, pen and ink techniques, grids, and viewfinder techniques, along with incredibly diverse projects and ideas. Perfect for beginners and professionals alike, this book is ideal for sharpening your skills and experimenting with your art.
Exploring Your Creative Side
Finally, to help you explore your creative side, another helpful book is ‘The Art of Urban Sketching.’ In it, urban sketcher and renowned artist Gabriel Schaefer journeys around the globe, taking readers on an inspirational sketching tour to discover how to create stunning scenes of cities and streets. By not just focusing on the technical side of sketching, but offering insight into the urban sketching community, it offers insight on how to use sketching as a tool of exploration, creating exciting scenes of the world around you.
No matter your level of skill, there are books out there on sketching that can help you quickly become a master of the craft. From getting the basics correct, exploring your own creative edge, to learning how to sketch animals and people exactly, these books can help take your sketches and art to the next level. Consider the above when selecting a sketching book to help you become a true master of sketching.
