The Artist's Guide to Sketching: The Classic Book about Making Art on Location

Description

A bold new edition of the groundbreaking book by two of America's most prominent visual artists, James Gurney ( Dinotopia, Color and Light ), and Thomas Kinkade, freshly updated with a new introduction, archival photographs, and illuminating text to guide a new generation of illustrators. “If I could only have one drawing book on my shelf, it would be this one.” –Shari Blaukopf, author of the Urban Sketching Handbook: Working With Color Since its release in 1982, The Artist’s Guide to Sketching has become a classic art guide for students and laypeople around the world. The book includes instruction and artwork by James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade—two students who would go on to fame with Dinotopia (Gurney) and as the “Painter of Light” (Kinkade). This new edition restores the classic text with updated full-color visuals and a special section chronicling the book’s origins and the friendship, drawing on archives from Gurney and the Kinkade family estate. Chapters and topics include: Chapter 1: THE EXPERIENCE OF SKETCHING (Coping with the Weather, Sketching at Night, Sitting or Standing?, Dealing with Curious Spectators, Being Inconspicuous, At Home Amid the Elements Chapter 2: MATERIALS (Sketchbooks, Pencils, Pens, Markers, Wash and Drybrush, Sketchboxes and Carrying Cases, Experiencing Your Materials) Chapter 3: ACHIEVING ACCURACY: (When to Use an Underdrawing, How Much Underdrawing is Necessary, Establishing the Large Shapes, Measuring Lengths, Measuring Slopes, Using Perspective Guidelines, Constructing with Geometric Forms, Completed Underdrawing, The Final Execution) Chapter 4: CAPTURING MOTION (Freezing Motion: A New Way of Drawing, Learning to Observe Motion, Training Your Memory, Getting It Down Fast, The Scribble Approach, The Gestural Approach, The Mannikin Approach, The Tonal Mass Approach, When Your Subject Moves Unexpectedly, Places to Go for Motion Sketching) Chapter 5: CREATING MOOD (Choosing a Subject, Noting Impressions, Composing with Thumbnails, Selectivity, Center of Interest, Dramatic Opposition, Delicacy, Mystery, Structure and Expression) Chapter 6: USING IMAGINATION (Dare to be Creative, Being Imaginative On-the-Spot, Exaggeration, Changing Context and Scale, Using Anthropomorphism, Additions and Combinations, Feeding the Imagination, Becoming More Imaginative) Chapter 7: STUDYING NATURE (Nature: Your Personal Drawing Workshop, The Experience of Nature Sketching, Plants, Animals, Sketching at the Zoo, Natural History Museum, Clouds, Rocks and Landforms, The Benefits of Studying Nature) Chapter 8: SKETCHING PEOPLE (Finding Raw Material, Exaggerating Character Traits, The Cartoon Approach, Portraying People in Their Environment, Two Characters, Group Composition, The On-The-Spot Portrait, Making People Sketches Come Alive, Family and Friends: Your Free Models) Chapter 9: EXPLORING THE MAN-MADE WORLD (Begin with the Commonplace, Sketching the Home, Indicating Building Exteriors, Signs and Letterforms, A New Look at Machines, Using Clutter, On-The-Spot Spot Research, Using Written Notes, Thinking As a Documentary Artist, The Joy of Exploration) Chapter 10: SKETCHING IN YOUR LIFE (Keeping Specialized Sketchbooks, Developing Sketches into Paintings, Sharing Sketches With Others, Sketching Alone or With Others) This bestselling sketching and drawing instruction book teaches the fundamentals of making art on location, from observation and composition to capturing light, motion, and mood Explore techniques for urban sketching, plein air drawing, and on-location art, including how to work outdoors, sketch people, and capture real-world environments A practical resource for artists at any level For artists, illustrators, and anyone looking to improve their drawing skills through real-world observation, The Artist’s Guide to Sketching invites you to step outside, open your sketchbook, and see the world with fresh eyes—one line at a time. Review: Book Review: The Artist’s Guide to Sketching by James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade - Few books bridge the gap between artistic inspiration and practical technique as effectively as The Artist’s Guide to Sketching by James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade. First published in 1982, this masterfully written and beautifully illustrated guide remains one of the most insightful resources for artists looking to refine their observational and sketching skills. Gurney and Kinkade—both legendary in their respective fields—bring a unique synergy to this book. Before achieving individual fame (Gurney for Dinotopia and Kinkade for his luminous landscapes), the two artists embarked on an unforgettable journey, traveling across America to sketch everything from bustling cityscapes to quiet rural scenes. Their firsthand experiences form the foundation of this book, making it not just a guide, but an engaging travelogue of artistic discovery. A Masterclass in Observation and Technique At its core, The Artist’s Guide to Sketching emphasizes the importance of keen observation, spontaneity, and discipline. The book is structured in a way that caters to both beginners and seasoned artists, covering essential topics such as: • Choosing the Right Tools: The authors break down the pros and cons of different sketching materials, from pencils and pens to watercolor washes, offering guidance on selecting the right medium for various subjects. • Understanding Composition: Gurney and Kinkade delve into the principles of composition, teaching artists how to frame their sketches effectively by controlling elements such as balance, perspective, and contrast. • Sketching from Life: One of the book’s most valuable sections, this chapter explores techniques for capturing movement, depth, and emotion in real-time—whether sketching a crowded street, a tranquil landscape, or an intimate portrait. • The Role of Light and Shadow: Both authors are masters of light, and their insights into how lighting affects form, atmosphere, and storytelling elevate this book beyond a simple technique manual. A Timeless Resource for Every Artist What sets The Artist’s Guide to Sketching apart is its emphasis on sketching as a way of life rather than just a technical skill. The book is filled with personal anecdotes, travel sketches, and insightful reflections on the artistic process. Gurney and Kinkade encourage artists to embrace imperfection, experiment fearlessly, and, most importantly, enjoy the process of seeing the world through an artist’s eyes. Despite being out of print for many years, this book remains a must-have for artists, illustrators, and anyone passionate about capturing the beauty of everyday life. The illustrations alone—fluid, expressive, and brimming with character—are worth studying in their own right. For those who can find a copy, The Artist’s Guide to Sketching is not just an instructional manual—it’s an invitation to embark on an artistic journey, one sketch at a time. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a seasoned professional, this book will inspire you to pick up a sketchbook, step outside, and start drawing. A classic in the world of sketching and observational art, The Artist’s Guide to Sketching is a timeless and indispensable book that belongs in every artist’s library. Review: Sketching better - I like how it has good explanations on how to do things better and good pictures as well. My sketching is improving.