The Sketch Book for the Artist [Hardcover]

Sarah Simblet (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2005

Covering a wide range of themes from portraits to plant studies and still life, and showing how to tackle each subject in a variety of different ways, the Sketch Book for the Artist aims to widen the reader's understanding of drawing and to inspire them to pick up a pencil and draw. Alongside drawings by famous artists, the book uses the author's own sketch book as a way to examine attitudes and demonstrate specific techniques.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sarah Simblet is the author of the highly acclaimed Anatomy for the Artist. She teaches at the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford, England, and her work is highly regarded and held in many national and private collections around the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (May 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756608163
• ISBN-13: 978-0756608163
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 9.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good!, September 3, 2005

By 

Atlantic (Boston) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Sketch Book for the Artist (Hardcover)

Too often I find these "all-inclusive drawing" books a collection of poorly executed scribbles and, forgive my jaded opinion, pedestrian junk. By this I mean lots of shallow work by the author and others - all of which I find immediately forgettable once the regret of having looked at the book in the first place passes.

This book is an exception; it shows many of the author's works (well executed and fun), and is also beautifully illustrated with inspirational and exemplary works by significant artists from the Reniassance to the current era.

Contrasted with many other books (indirectly referenced above), this appears to be well researched for illustrative examples. Pencil (graphite), pen and ink, chalk, etc. are well represented. The reproductions are great and should help create new ideas and directions.

The table of contents is too long to reproduce here so if you have any doubts go look at it in the store first. For me, I found it fun, inspirational, and well worth the money. I purchased it before Amazon had it available (N.B. this is the US version of "The Drawing Book" also available from Amazon) so it's a great buy at this price.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sketch Book for the Artist by Sarah Simblet, February 21, 2006

By 

Gina Doolittle (Helena, MT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sketch Book for the Artist (Hardcover)

I found myself combing through this terrific book over and over, and learning something new every time. Inside you'll find a compilation of drawings by masters and makers, drawing exercises,practical advice, photographs and reproductions. The author groups two or three representations, arranged in diverse sketching themes ranging from "Gods and Monsters" to "Abstract Lines" and "The Body." Whatever your level of drawing expertise, you can benefit from the author's clear and understandable commentary, fresh perspectives, and easy-to-follow instructions. This book will inspire you to expand your ways of seeing and approaches to drawing a wide range of subject matter.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the better books, January 4, 2009

By 

kitjank "Guitar Goddess, artist, love of all ... (Hunt Valley, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Sketch Book for the Artist (Hardcover)

I own just about every drawing book and have learned a little from each one. What makes this one stand out is the beautiful artwork in it. I found it inspiring. Instead of looking at the pictures wishing I could do something like that, I took my supplies out and actually tried them. Of course they turned out almost as good as the pictures in the book....NOT! But the point is that this book was a good motivator to give it a go and learn so that the next one will be better. IF you're looking for a beginners how to book, I would suggest you pass on this one for now only because I think it's a book you will appreciate more once you have been drawing for a while. It's a great book for inspiration and I think if you team this with Danny Gregory's "Illustrated Life" you will find endless inspiration and ideas to get you going.