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Sketching for the Absolute Beginner (ABSOLUTE BEGINNER ART) Paperback – November 30, 2021
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Covers a variety of media, including sketching with pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, and more!
Starting with a clear, simple method to bring all the senses into play, successful author and acclaimed artist Peter Cronin RSMA shows you how to bring artistry and economy to your sketching. Work your way toward more complex, rewarding artworks by following his simple, step-by-step demonstrations and completing 5 projects.
Whether sketching as the basis for painting, or simply for pleasure, this is the ultimate course in sketching for beginners! You’ll find guidance on:
• Getting started and understanding materials
• Working with the eye, hand, and heart
• Types of sketching and essential techniques
• Mastering composition
• Handling complex subject matter
• And more!
Most of the artworks are created using graphite pencil, but Peter also demonstrates how to use charcoal and pen and ink to broaden the possibilities; and encourages you to experiment with other media. By the end of the book, you’ll know how to take your sketching skills further and become an accomplished artist in your own right!
- Print length144 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSearch Press
- Publication dateNovember 30, 2021
- Dimensions8.58 x 0.43 x 11.05 inches
- ISBN-101782218742
- ISBN-13978-1782218746
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From the Publisher
Sketching is more than just drawing quickly. It is training your eye and hand to work together, to respond to the scene before you.
Whether sketching as the basis for painting, or simply for pleasure, this gives you all you need to take your sketching skills further and become an accomplished artist.
Peter Cronin shows the reader how to bring artistry and economy to their sketching; making for swift and impressive results. Whether sketching as the basis for painting, or simply for pleasure, this book teaches the reader all they need to know.
Discover the different types of sketches:
Studies
If you wish to include various objects in your compositions, then it would follow that you have to be able to draw these objects. And as the title suggests, the study is the way to do this.
Compositional
A compositional sketch deals with the placement and relationship of shapes, tones and edges within the picture plane. Put in a simpler manner, this means it is the pattern of shapes that is important.
Atmospheric
As the title suggests, this type of sketch is primarily concerned with the atmosphere of the scene, rather than the structure or detail. The sketch needs to say if the scene is sunny, misty, bustling and busy, or quiet and calm.
Then take your sketching further:
Painting over pen
Why not add watercolour to a pen sketch? This painting technique is ideal for sketching as it’s such a quick way to record colour on the spot.
Pencil and wash
The pencil and wash technique is all but identical to pen and wash. If you are a novice, however, pencil and wash can be less intimidating, due to the fact that pencil marks can be removed or adjusted prior to you applying the paint.
Charcoal sketch
Charcoal is best used broadly: a bold ‘big shape first’ approach will give you the best results. It is, however, also capable of both subtlety and detail.
Meet the author
Peter Cronin loves the natural world. The pull of the outdoors and the fall of sunlight across the landscape inspire his work, and he can be found exploring the world around him in all seasons. Through his teaching, workshops and demonstrations he seeks to encourage, equip and help all who love art.
A Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA), the Royal Watercolour Society of Wales and the Pure Watercolour Society, Peter has been a professional artist for more than 15 years. Completely self-taught, he has gained an enviable reputation for his watercolour and oils; both of which rely on Peter's clarity of sight and the economy of line in his underlying drawings.
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
A Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, the Royal Watercolour Society of Wales and the Pure Watercolour Society, Peter has been painting for over thirty years. Completely self-taught, he has gained an enviable reputation for his watercolour and oils; both of which rely on Peter's clarity of sight and the economy of line in his underlying drawings.
Peter lives in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales.
https://www.petercronin.org
Product details
- Publisher : Search Press (November 30, 2021)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 144 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1782218742
- ISBN-13 : 978-1782218746
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.58 x 0.43 x 11.05 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #419,494 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #232 in Landscape & Seascape Art
- #449 in Pen & Ink Drawing
- #476 in Pencil Drawing
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024This is a great book for beginners. I can’t wait to use the techniques I’ve learned on my own sketches.
This is a great book for beginners. I can’t wait to use the techniques I’ve learned on my own sketches.
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2022For anyone who wants to improve their sketches for painting or preliminary studies, this is a great addition to your library. Cronin uses his S.E.T. (Shape/Edge/Tone) method to analyze every scene. I substitute Value for his Tone but that is just my preference—either way, the approach is a good habit. He also does a quick outline sketch of the top of the background and works to the midground and foreground from there. Many other books cover these methods as well, but Cronin’s examples and written explanations are clear and direct.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2023This is a fantastic book to read and look through. As a matter of fact, it’s hard to put down. There is some gray wisdom sprinkled in the book too. I just don’t think it’s anywhere near the level for beginners. There’s a lot of art wisdom in here and tips but the how to part is not simplified enough to actually become a proficient artist. He tends to write in a way that’s a bit over your head. I just thought it was a little misleading. But honestly, I can look through this book forever. The art is beautiful. He really is a great sketch artist. But not quite educational, practical enough for my needs. I wish he would explain in more detail how he drew some pieces in language that is more accessible. Explaining your art is tough to do. He does a good job of it but not enough for a reader to say, oh now I get it.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2021Peter Cronin's book is a straightforward, clear and informative guide to sketching. Becoming good at sketching is up to each individual, but this is an excellent book that will help you to get there. His book removes any mystery from learning to sketch.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2021For some time now I've been looking for a simple, straightforward, and above all effective book on learning to sketch. This is it! Thank you, Peter Cronin.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2022Love this book. Well written, easy to understand. Lots of step by step instructions and examples.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2024Eventually I would use it.
Top reviews from other countries
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Einer der schlechteren von BaedekerReviewed in Germany on August 11, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Ausgezeichnetes Lehrbuch
Ausgezeichnete Lektionen mit ausführlichen Anweisungen und auch verschiedenen Techniken. Eines meiner besten Bücher zum Thema Zeichnen.
- swapan kumar mallickReviewed in India on February 8, 2023
1.0 out of 5 stars Very poor
Very bad book. Below quality sketches.
One should not buy this and waste money
-
ahmed samerReviewed in Egypt on August 5, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars نسخه أصليه خدمه ممتازه
الكتاب جميل جدا ورق فخم جدا جدا وطباعه عاليه نسخه اصليه و كالعاده حاجات مميزه من المكتبه الاكاديميه الواحد مش بيندم علي اي مبلغ يندفع في حاجه قيمه بالشكل دا شكرا ليكم ونتطلع لمزيد من العروض والكتب الرائعه دي
- Peter, Oxford UKReviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on sketching
Although not a beginner myself to sketching, this book is excellent, both for a complete beginner and to give inspiration to other artists.
My first books on sketching I purchased some years ago and they were by Adrian Hill, a professional artist who appeared on television and wrote some excellent books on painting and sketching. I absolutely love his pencil sketches and since they were published during the 1950s and 1960s I have been looking for similar books by a modern artist. This book I feel is the first one to be every bit as good as Adrian Hills. For the absolute beginner there is a section on materials and exercises with step by step instructions to help. The importance of shapes, edges and tones are explained, types of sketches and using other media such as pen and wash, charcoal, etc. Then there are chapters on composition, portraying different weather conditions, people, animals in the landscape, trees, boats, etc. The book has numerous excellent examples of Peter’s sketches superbly illustrated and interspersed with lighthearted and sometimes humorous text about his experiences sketching outdoors.
All in all I would thoroughly recommend this book to anyone, beginner or more experienced artist and it is the perfect accompanying book to his excellent first book, “Pure Watercolour Painting”.
- Peter. BringansReviewed in Australia on January 21, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Sketch book
This is an excellent book for beginners