Customer Reviews

The Complete Sketching Book

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

John Hamilton opened my eyes about the things around us to sketch. Many items, like in a kitchen or front room, have many items to draw. Sections like: How to see and then sketch everyday objects, How to compose a good sketch, how to master perspective, How to render light and shade-depth and distance, his book is filled with simple sketches and finished drawings throughout. This is my favorite in my large collection of drawing-sketching books.

This book is great for the beginner, and probably experienced, sketcher. I am a beginner and the short, yet detailed, examples and explanations are wonderful. My first attempt, after following the directions, was a success! I started very small and have been expanding since the first sketch. My husband and I make it a nightly thing to sketch! He is more experienced. But he also finds the book helpful. I brings you to the basics.

Beginners won't really benefit from this book. The author's vague description of perspective confuses rather than explains. The book resembles a sketchbook with some notes dropped into it. I would recommend The Art of Drawing and Pencil Drawing Techniques over this thing anyday.

I bought this book hoping it would help me sketch simple objects. I was unpleasently surprised when I discovered it had very few exercises for the beginner. This book seems to be geared for the person that has a few art classes under their belt, and would like to improve their artwork. This book seems too advanced for the beginner who has trouble drawing simple items, like myself. It has very few pointers, and techniques. It does not break down the sketches to show how to achieve them, it is simply a book of finished sketches, with minimal teaching (such as the vanishing point).

This book is a pleasantly composed item with very beautiful sketches. The author gives very good information and examples on materials and techniques used, and it is clear that this book helped me, but only a little....
I loved the fact that it was not overpowered with text and I would probably be able to copy the sketches in the book fairly well. Unfortunately I don't think this book helped me produce my own sketches from my personal observations. I thnk it is too advanced for the first-time drawer, or the drawer with a minimum of skill and even less confidence...

This was a great "over-the-shoulder" sketchbook that held my interest throughout. I loved the writer's conversational style, and he was able to demonstrate many techniques and encourage me to begin humbly with my sketching. I thought it was well worth the money, if for no other reason than the shading information.

I found This book very helpful. I needed some help with shading and found the help I needed

I recommend The Complete Sketching Book to those who have ever wanted to sketch and been afraid to try. John Hamilton's easy, conservational style makes you believe "anyone can do it" with more encouragement for the beginner than I could ever have imagined.

John Hamilton gives us an easy to follow path to sketching. He sheds light on overlooked subjects and suggests low cost materials. By simplifying materials and methods, Hamilton makes art easily accessable to many. He also suggests sketches which can be produced in little time. Since purchasing this book, I have enjoyed completing small sketches of subjects around my home. I feel as though I'm rekindling talents that I've neglected without spending a lot of time or money, including the low cost of this book!

The sketches given as examples are of very poor quality, the selection of themes is random and unorganized, nothing is explained to the fullest, instruction is vague, + there is no tips on composition.
In short: another of these books that go step 1), step 2) and poof the drawing is finished without the instructor spelling out steps 3,4,5,6.
The selection of drawing subjects is extremely restrictive or the author just lacked inspiration; it's just draw a little of this, than a little of that, with no finishing techniques and no idea on how to group the objects.
DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY
There are plenty of better books, such as from Ernest Watson, Ferdinand Petrie, Wendon Blake and more (even if those guys are oldies; they remain goodies)