Freehand Sketching

by Paul Laseau

Even in the computer age, freehand sketching is the designer’s most useful tool for notation, design exploration, and graphic communication. From basic skills to sketch construction using grids, frames, and shapes to the creation of tone, texture, color, and detail, and experimentation with digital rendering, Freehand Sketching helps you build your drawing skill and confidence through mastery of fundamentals. Carefully designed exercises guide you step by step in effective sketching in the studio and in the field. Also covered are helpful topics such as useful equipment, observation skills, framing and editing sketches, rendering people, and keeping a journal.

An array of the author’s lively sketches as well as examples from other architectural professionals fill the pages of Freehand Sketching , making this an ideal handbook for architecture and design students and all who wish to be more effective at visual communication.

Genres: Art, Architecture, Design, Nonfiction

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1386

Reviews

[Barry Stoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just recently been turning my attention to urban sketching and have read a number of sketching/drawing books that I had pulled tidbits of info from.
I found that this book really consolidated the info I had swirling around in my head in a strong, practical manner. Approach is concise, the exercises were extremely helpful and practical applications of a how to approach sketching.

Highly recommend

[Micaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mid- beginner I appreciate his straightforward instructions and suggestions. Also, the format of the book lends itself to really mastering various stages and steps in moving forward to good composition without tedious theories or abstractions. It's compact so easy to haul around out in the world. I would invest in this one.

[Pablo Lopes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is what it says in the title, an introduction (a quick one) to sketching. It gives you three techniques to set the composition in place and some more to draw tones, textures and shadows. Overall made me want to learn more, but specially made me want to draw daily.

[Allen Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good intro to architectural drawing. But the principles shown (alignment of shapes, carefully observing angles, etc) are good reminders for any type of drawing. I basically got this from the library to scan as a refresher, and it didn’t disappoint. Highly recommended for those getting started.

[Doaa Alahmadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

الكتاب مقدمة للمبتدئين ومراجعه مبادئ للمحترفين للسكتيش المعماري
على صغر الكتاب لكن التمارين والنصائح كانت واضحه ومفيدة
لجئت للكتاب لتحسين رسمي واستفدت

[Auriza Salim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saya membaca buku ini pertama kali ketika di bangku kuliah dalam mata kuliah Teknik Komunikasi Arsitektur (TKA). Sejak saat itu saya sering membuka-buka kembali buku ini, bahkan hingga saya bekerja sebagai arsitek professional. Buku ini telah membuka mata saya terhadap lingkungan sekitar saya, buku ini mengajarkan sensitivitas terhadap detail. Banyak detail-detail yang luput dari pandangan dan dapat ditangkap hanya ketika kita melakukan sketsa.

Melalui buku ini Paul Laseau memperkenalkan saya pada asiknya membuat sketsa, mengajak kita untuk duduk sejenak, menginggalkan kesibukan dunia, mengambil kertas, kertas apa saja, entah itu bagian belakang bon toko, tiket, notebook, kemudian duduk santai dan menggambar apapun yang ada didepan kita. Saya menikmati merekam setiap detail yang saya lihat. Saya bukan seorang pelukis, jadi hasil akhir tidak penting, yang penting adalah 'proses melihat' yang kita alami.

Ketika kuliah saya memiliki buku ini dalam bentuk fotokopi. Saya senang membacanya hingga halamannya rusak. Suatu ketika saya beruntung menemukan satu edisi bahasa Indonesia buku ini di Gramedia Kotabaru, Yogyakarta, entah mengapa saya tidak membelinya ketika itu, hal ini yang menjadi penyesalan saya hingga saat ini. Buku ini sudah menjadi lebih dari buku wajib perkuliahan, bagi saya buku ini semacam menyimpan romantisme aneh momen pertama kali saya menikmati sketsa, seperti balita yang pertama kali berjalan, buku ini sungguh berkesan.