a sketchers library
a short list of inspiring reads for plein air artists and urban sketchers.
BIG BRUSH WATERCOLOR
by Ron Ranson
Buy on Pangobooks
My all time favorite book on watercolor painting. This book fill all the gaps that a single demo in painting class many years ago. It forces simplicity by removing the need to control, letting water be water, leaving paintings fresh and uncomplicated. Using the Japanese hake brush, obtainable from most art and craft shops, Ron Ranson demonstrates how to simplify the subject matter and thus filter out the essence of a scene. He also discusses the dissecting and dramatizing of the subject.
SKETCH & COLOR: Art Techniques from Pencil to Paint
by Paul Taggart
Enthusiastic text, coupled with a no-nonsense approach presented in unique and detailed strips guide artists through the various techniques and media. This is just what everyone needs to progress and build confidence in drawing and painting.
LIGHT AND SHADE
by Paul Taggart
Control light and dark tones as they modulate across the surface of an object to create volume. A still life offers you the most controlled subject to paint. Not only can the direction of light be exploited, but also the subject itself can be arranged and rearranged to satisfy your taste. To bring out the strongest sense of volume, use sidelight to illuminate your still life. In this way you'll have the full range of values, from highlight to accent, amply displayed. Sunlight fills a painting with joy and verve, keeping it from being flat and unimpressive. Working outdoors teaches you everything about light and its effects. Each of these studies will help you understand how to make the most of sunlight and shadow.
THE URBAN SKETCHING HANDBOOK : 101 Sketching Tips, Tricks, Techniques and Handy Hacks for Sketching on the Go.
A collection of insider know-how and expert tips and techniques. Many basic drawing techniques into one handy volume: How to draw a great line. Using ellipses to draw arches. How towers are like wedding cakes. The importance of your eye level line in sketching, and 97 things more! The book also features beautiful example illustrations from urban sketchers around the globe! Compact, easy-to-carry format--toss it in your backpack or paintbox
The Urban Sketching Handbook Panoramas and Vertical Vistas: Techniques for Drawing on Location from Unexpected Perspectives
Read September 2023 / RECOMMENDED
Heaps of inspiration here if you're looking to add scale, story, visual appeal, impact and drama to your sketches.
Color Drawing: Design Drawing Skills and Techniques for Architects, Landscape Architects, and Interior Designers
(1999 Edition) Buy at Thriftbooks
Color drawing was at once time called 'design drawing' A medium used during the early part of architectural or communication design process to prompt or propose ideas - from conception through to late schematics - before the design process is closed. Invaluable book. I held on to my copy for many years after I was a design intern, then purchased this 1999 edition. Awesome reference for sketching with colored pencil, markers and for ink and wash.
The Complete Etchings of Rembrandt
Buy on Pangobooks
My parents were great admirers of Rembrandt and among the many antiques they collected were canvas reproductions of Rembrandts paintings and several Rijks Museum books, so I was first introduced to Rembrandt when I was very young. His drawings and etchings hugely inspired me, especially for his play of light & dark and contrast to create drama, as well as intricate detail . Highly recommend studying his drawings and etchings, an invaluable resource. From the publisher: Rembrandt is revered not only as a painter, but as a supreme master of drawing and etching as well. His work in etching spanned most of his career and embraced the wide range of subjects he pursued in his painting: portraits, landscapes, biblical scenes, pictures with allegorical and mythological themes, and more. This comprehensive collection contains Rembrandt's complete etchings -- over 300 works -- most of them shown in their original size. They have been reproduced directly from a rare collection famed for its pristine condition, fresh, clean impressions, rich contrasts, and brilliant printing. Among the etchings included are: Self portrait drawing at a window (1648); Abraham's sacrifice (1655); Christ preaching ["The hundred-guilder print"] (ca. 1643-49); Christ crucified between the two thieves ["The three crosses"] (1653); The return of the prodigal son (1636); The three trees (1643); Faust (ca. 1652); Jan Six (1647); The great Jewish bride (1635); The strolling musicians (ca. 1635). The etchings are reproduced from the originals themselves rather than from reduced photographs, which can depart significantly in quality from the originals. This handsome volume is filled with information critical to fully appreciating the extraordinary images it contains. Detailed captions point out features of special interest and provide vital information such as title, signature, date, collection, Bartsch number, state of impression reproduced, and total number of states. Also included are a chronology of Rembrandt's life and etchings, a discussion of the technique of etching in his time, and an excellent bibliography. Art lovers, scholars, students of etching, and anyone with an interest in Rembrandt and his work will find in this beautiful book a rare and exciting visual experience.
Distilling the Scene: Paint Watercolour
by Ron Ranson
A practical guide for simplifying composition, and bring the joy back into painting. From the publisher: "Tips to prevent over-working and spoiling what might otherwise be a successful picture. Using photographic examples of scenes he has painted, the author describes what he would eliminate, what needs to be changed, and what techniques should be employed to ensure a successful result. Numerous finished paintings and colour-sketches are presented to illustrate the points made, and separate chapters on buildings, trees and skies outline specific problems and how they can be overcome. The author is an artist whose work has been exhibited in Europe, Australia and South Africa. He also runs residential watercolour courses, and has written several other books on watercolour techniques, as well as biographies of Edward Seago and Edward Wesson."
En Plein Air: Watercolor: Expert Techniques and Simple Step-By-Step Projects for Creating Dynamic Landscapes in the Open Air with Watercolor
ISBN: 1633226166
ISBN13: 9781633226166
Read June 2023 / RECOMMENDED
A guide to artistic travels as you explore en plein air - a daring and expressive method of painting, wherever you may be.
The New Colored Pencil: Create Luminous Works with Innovative Material and Techniques (May 2014)
Buy on PangoBooks
Another great title on color rendering, full of exploration, experimentation and new techniques. ISBN: 9780770436933 From the publisher: Start coloring, relieve stress, and learn to create radiant, original works of art using colored pencils, wax pastels, and watercolor pencils. Add vibrancy to your coloring creations with instruction from best-selling author and teacher Kristy Kutch as she guides you through recommendations for the newest colored pencil brands, best drawing surfaces, and groundbreaking techniques. Including easy step-by-step demonstrations and inspiring art from today's best colored pencil artists, The New Colored Pencil shows you how to use color theory to your advantage, combine color media, create and enhance textures, and experiment with surfaces to create phenomenal effects. Whether you use traditional wax-based, or watercolor colored pencils, The New Colored Pencil will take your creative art pieces to a whole new level.
There and Back: Photographs from the Edge / Jimmy Chin
The sweetest and most inspiring Christmas gift from my son. Academy Award–winning director of Free Solo and National Geographic photographer Jimmy Chinn's compilation of iconic adventure photography, capturing some of the greatest moments of accomplished climbers and outdoor athletes in the world. Over 200 photographs to inspire painting winter scenes.
