Artist's Sketchbook: Exercises and Techniques for Sketching on the Spot

This is a nice book, with beautifully illustrated examples of all sorts of subjects. I have other books of hers and like them. However, I see travel sketches from online friends all the time. It is not examples of quick vacation, nature, and city scapes that I need. What I really need is for someone to show me how to look at a scene in front of me, and get it down fairly accurately on paper. If you can do that, you don’t really need a book showing you cute little watercolor sets and colored pencil sets and finished color sketches. There was not much about how to watercolor for that matter. I have struggled trying to teach myself drawing and watercolor most of my life, off and on. I greatly admire friends who take sketchbooks everywhere and get charming little scenes of what they have seen. But mine never have the perspective right, or accurate relative sizes. What is worse is when a polite stranger is standing behind you watching you! I recall seeing one actual exercise in the book. To do things like hummingbirds or people walking, you must be able sketch not only accurately but fast! This is why so many artists resort to taking photos and drawing (or tracing) from them later. The subtitle says Exercises and Techniques. Here is an example of an Exercise...’Open your eyes. Be aware of everything around you. Be mindful. There are plenty of things to sketch! If you want to, get out a magnifying glass or even a microscope. Discover the wonders all around you.’

If you want to sketch, to learn to respond on site with pencil or pen to the world around you, but feel daunted and unsure how to start, this book is for you. It will also be useful to experienced artists looking for a fresh re-look at their own work methods. Written in the author's customary clear and intimate style, it takes the reader through all the steps of choosing materials, approaching diverse subject matter, learning to make personal, assured, and energetic marks. The underlying message here is that the practice of keeping a sketchbook is a deeply fulfilling, personal one. With the help of this book, you will be able to achieve this kind of fulfillment, too. Johnson's own work is generously shared here as, is the work of several other artists contributors. With the variety of styles and techniques featured in the book, you are sure to find abundant inspiration and guidance.

This is probably the 5th or 6th book I own that Cathy Johnson has written. It's absolutely wonderful. There is fresh, new material in this book along with many step by step demonstrations. In addition, she has included the work of many other sketchbook artists that adds even more depth. I got the book last week and spent every evening reading every single word on every page and I am more inspired than ever to continue sketching. Her tone is so natural and encouraging, it's like your sitting in her little studio beside her and having her tell you what you really need to know.

Another great book from Cathy Johnson! The book offers practical advice for sketching on the spot, in your own backyard, during your travels, urban areas and more. Most of the illustrations are from Cathy's personal journals showing tremendous talent and personality. Included are supply lists, tips, techniques and exercises. It is educational and fun. It is full of hidden gems and it is going to be one of my favorite go to books. Even a person that is not looking for instruction will enjoy the art work in this book.

This is a beautiful books with lots of ideas about where and what to sketch and different perspectives to take. But my take away from the summary was it would be a book on how to actually put image to paper. And there was none of that and all of the examples were of sketches that had been painted. So depending on your purpose this may be a great book but for me I found " How to Sketch" the book that gave me the nuts and bolts of getting started.

Most of the examples were either landscapes with portable watercolor kits or buildings. I was very disappointed. I don't do watercolor and I prefer to sketch people (I simply don't think landscapes or buildings are very interesting). There were only a couple of examples of people sketching (heads/faces only) and they were finished sketches, not step by step. Wish I had saved my money.

As a former college art professor, I believe this book would be terrific for advanced artist as well as folks new to sketching. Nice variety of artists' works are used to highlight approaches and techniques.

Lots of good examples to inspire and point the way for your next project. Shows a wide range of topics and ideas for every skill and interest.

A nice book with some excellent ideas and suggestions. Worth a look if you're getting back into drawing or fancy some inspiration.

Very nice book but I don't know what the point of it is. It doesn't teach a great deal and its quite an expensive way at looking at someone else's artwork.

So inspirational. It makes me want to sketch everything all the time but I guess that's the idea.

did not find it that useful

Again excellent service bought as a gift they are very pleased with the book