Fast Sketching Techniques: Capture the Fundamental Essence of Elusive Subjects [Paperback]

David J. Rankin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2000

Though trained to draw in a more leisurely academic style, the author found that working in the field required a different set of tools and techniques, which he shares here, with numerous examples of his own work. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581800053
• ISBN-13: 978-1581800050
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #523,135 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drawing vs. sketching, August 2, 2000

By 

Richard Lee (Pueblo, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fast Sketching Techniques: Capture the Fundamental Essence of Elusive Subjects (Paperback)

With the exception of the old courtroom sketch artists, rarely do you see someone standing or sitting with just a pad and a few pencils trying for a likeness of something. Most people reach in their pocket, pull out an autofocus 35mm camera and snap a picture. Anyone can sketch with some degree of success. David Rankin shows you his techniques which rely on speed, basic shapes and dramatic shading. Whether your subject is a landmark building, your seven year old neice, or a peacock at the local zoo, this book will show you easily how to capture the image in a few brief strokes. The rewards are endless. If you are an accomplished artist, the sketches will be invaluable to you back in the studio for reference in creating full blown art pieces. If you are just looking for a way to record scenes for your own edification, you will have some dramatic fast renderings that reflect a mood, something a camera simply can not do. I love this book.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Techniques that work, February 23, 2005

By 

A reader in France - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fast Sketching Techniques: Capture the Fundamental Essence of Elusive Subjects (Paperback)

If you're hesitating over this book because of the negative reviews, let me just say that I did too, and I'm so glad that I went ahead and ordered it. It's not a drawing book for beginners but a very well-explained approach to rapid sketching. The techniques are counter-intuitive and so take a little time to learn, but the results are worth the trouble. I find that it's helping my drawing in geneneral, because it teaches you to loosen up and simplify. I really don't understand some of the reviews here, the drawings are nothing like children's drawings; they're simple but the lines are in the right place! If you want to learn how to get your impressions down on paper quickly, don't hesitate to buy this book.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and helpful!, December 8, 2001

By 

Lynn Holbein (Newton, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fast Sketching Techniques: Capture the Fundamental Essence of Elusive Subjects (Paperback)

At last, a book which helps people produce fast, casual sketches of everyday life. Most drawing books feature perfect, professional drawings which took hours to produce -- and make the viewer think, "I could never do that."

Not so with this much-needed book, which demystifies sketching, making it a fast, easy pastime which anyone can master. With his step-by-step exercises, Rankin shows how to capture the essence of a subject quickly.