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The Urban Sketcher: Techniques for Seeing and Drawing on Location
Make the world your studio!
Capture the bustle and beauty of life in your town.
Experience life as only an artist can! Join the rapidly growing, international movement of artists united by a passion for drawing on location in the cities, towns and villages where they live and travel. Packed with art and advice from Marc Taro Holmes, artist and co-founder of Urbansketchers.org, this self-directed workshop shows you how to draw inspiration from real life and bring that same excitement into your sketchbook. Inside you'll fi nd everything you need to tackle subjects ranging from still lifes and architecture to people and busy street scenes.
15 step-by-step demonstrations cover techniques for creating expressive drawings using pencil, pen and ink, and watercolor.
Expert tips for achieving a balance of accuracy, spontaneity and speed.
Practical advice for working in the field, choosing subjects, coping with onlookers, capturing people in motion and more.
Daily exercises and creative prompts for everything from improving essential skills to diverse approaches, such as montages, storytelling portraits and one-page graphic novels.
Whether you are a habitual doodler or a seasoned artist, The Urban Sketcher will have you out in the world sketching from the very first page. By completing drawings on the spot, in one session, you achieve a fresh impression of not just what you see, but also what it feels like to be there . . . visual life stories as only you can experience them.
Capture the bustle and beauty of life in your town.
Experience life as only an artist can! Join the rapidly growing, international movement of artists united by a passion for drawing on location in the cities, towns and villages where they live and travel. Packed with art and advice from Marc Taro Holmes, artist and co-founder of Urbansketchers.org, this self-directed workshop shows you how to draw inspiration from real life and bring that same excitement into your sketchbook. Inside you'll fi nd everything you need to tackle subjects ranging from still lifes and architecture to people and busy street scenes.
15 step-by-step demonstrations cover techniques for creating expressive drawings using pencil, pen and ink, and watercolor.
Expert tips for achieving a balance of accuracy, spontaneity and speed.
Practical advice for working in the field, choosing subjects, coping with onlookers, capturing people in motion and more.
Daily exercises and creative prompts for everything from improving essential skills to diverse approaches, such as montages, storytelling portraits and one-page graphic novels.
Whether you are a habitual doodler or a seasoned artist, The Urban Sketcher will have you out in the world sketching from the very first page. By completing drawings on the spot, in one session, you achieve a fresh impression of not just what you see, but also what it feels like to be there . . . visual life stories as only you can experience them.
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2014
439 people are currently reading
1167 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 17, 2016
Beautiful drawings and sketches paired with good info
Really liked the book, the drawings were really good and the information was helpful for a lot of the stuff I am working on.
Really liked the book, the drawings were really good and the information was helpful for a lot of the stuff I am working on.
July 14, 2017
Simple but useful. Instructions are clear, key points are well pointed out.
August 25, 2021
This is a great book for everyone who just started their urban sketching journey. What I love about this book is Marc Holmes's approach in simplifying the technique and emphasising the spontaneity nature of urban sketching. Marc also introduces his "three-pass sketches" approach in sketching, that he uses not only for street scenes, but any objects. This can be applied in line drawing (basic layout -- calligraphic line -- tonal values) and watercolour wash (light-medium-heavy, or as he called "tea-milk-honey). What I also like about this book is that it contains levelled exercises for readers to improve their sketching. Overall, I think this book really helps beginner to think, plan, and execute their sketching.
January 3, 2021
This book describes urban sketching based on the group: http://www.urbansketchers.org/
Sketches are done in the field with no additional studio work and with minimal equipment. Since it covers a limited field, it can describe it fairly well, I liked their approach to sketching and layering, draw contours, flesh out the sketch and add in the darker bits. That's a very rough abbreviation on my part, if you are interested in urban sketching, checking out the above website and reading this book would be a good start.
Sketches are done in the field with no additional studio work and with minimal equipment. Since it covers a limited field, it can describe it fairly well, I liked their approach to sketching and layering, draw contours, flesh out the sketch and add in the darker bits. That's a very rough abbreviation on my part, if you are interested in urban sketching, checking out the above website and reading this book would be a good start.
February 22, 2024
really solid primer on urban sketching. i still suck though.
January 5, 2025
While I didn’t take the time to practice everything in this book, it gave me the inspiration and techniques to start practicing after I read it. I think this is really handy for someone very much interested in Urban Sketching and I liked how it gave an overview of the different communities and history that follows the art.
It did need further proofreading due to a couple of misspellings and missed words throughout the descriptions.
It did need further proofreading due to a couple of misspellings and missed words throughout the descriptions.
June 22, 2018
The extremely simple and organized way Marc presents his techniques is great both as a starting point for someone new to pencil/ink drawing/watercolor painting and for more advanced sketchers/painters who can benefit from his method which encourages forethought and organization in the painting process, among other things. The book itself is clearly well thought-through (it is pedagogical, accessible, explanatory in words and images and logically construed) as is each step of his painting process.
The most useful idea I got from Marc's book is idea of the "three-pass drawing/painting". He explains how easy it can be to make a painting just in three "passes" over it (either pencil drawing - ink drawing - ink shades or pencil drawing and then three coats of watercolor paints). He uses metaphors and visual language to make his advice and techniques easy to remember and illustrates every point with photos of his own paintings and painting-in-process.
I finally have the courage to start working outside (which I have already done by the way) and have allowed myself a bit of freedom of expression. What Marc also points to in the book is the freedom that ink and watercolor provide as artistic techniques - it's about expression, not always mimetic representation.
There are many, many more useful tips I found in the book, but I'll have to leave the other readers to find that out for themselves. In any case, you will not regret picking this book up! As long as you really try out his exercises and demonstrations in your own practice, of course.
The most useful idea I got from Marc's book is idea of the "three-pass drawing/painting". He explains how easy it can be to make a painting just in three "passes" over it (either pencil drawing - ink drawing - ink shades or pencil drawing and then three coats of watercolor paints). He uses metaphors and visual language to make his advice and techniques easy to remember and illustrates every point with photos of his own paintings and painting-in-process.
I finally have the courage to start working outside (which I have already done by the way) and have allowed myself a bit of freedom of expression. What Marc also points to in the book is the freedom that ink and watercolor provide as artistic techniques - it's about expression, not always mimetic representation.
There are many, many more useful tips I found in the book, but I'll have to leave the other readers to find that out for themselves. In any case, you will not regret picking this book up! As long as you really try out his exercises and demonstrations in your own practice, of course.
September 20, 2019
I've been learning about Urban Sketching because I'm interested in the whimsical drawing style and minimalistic approach to drawing and painting. I'm really interested in it as a way to create art at home, so I'm not the typical audience. However, I have learned a lot from reading about Urban Sketching.
The author really seems to cross over from Urban Sketching to Plein Air Painting, so although the beginning starts off strong - it quickly veers off target. His onsite gear often includes an easel, large format paper, and a huge platform board. Basically, he carries a LOT of gear with him.
To date, my favorite Urban Sketcher with regard to style, is Teoh Yi Chie. I really wish he would release a book that includes his drawings, but until he does, I highly recommend his Youtube channel. He regularly reviews drawing related books and sketching-related gear. I think the information he provides on his Youtube channel would really benefit anyone interested in learning more about Urban Sketching, or minimalist drawing and painting.
The author really seems to cross over from Urban Sketching to Plein Air Painting, so although the beginning starts off strong - it quickly veers off target. His onsite gear often includes an easel, large format paper, and a huge platform board. Basically, he carries a LOT of gear with him.
To date, my favorite Urban Sketcher with regard to style, is Teoh Yi Chie. I really wish he would release a book that includes his drawings, but until he does, I highly recommend his Youtube channel. He regularly reviews drawing related books and sketching-related gear. I think the information he provides on his Youtube channel would really benefit anyone interested in learning more about Urban Sketching, or minimalist drawing and painting.
March 1, 2020
From a complete novice's point of view, this is a pretty decent book for beginners. It focuses on three main aspects: pencil, ink, and watercolor. The first two sections are done well but, despite being the most difficult and the author's preference, I found the section on watercolor to be the least well-explained. That's fine with me because it's something I'm unlikely to get into, but other readers may want to take that into account.
I'd probably give it more than 3 stars, maybe 3.5, but I know it's not 4 stars. It is a good book, it's informative, and the art is nice. What holds me back from being more effusive is the above mentioned simplification of the watercolor process, his ink pictures are somewhat busy for my tastes, and the book needed more proofreading and copy editing.
I'd probably give it more than 3 stars, maybe 3.5, but I know it's not 4 stars. It is a good book, it's informative, and the art is nice. What holds me back from being more effusive is the above mentioned simplification of the watercolor process, his ink pictures are somewhat busy for my tastes, and the book needed more proofreading and copy editing.
June 3, 2017
Personally, I generally learn skills best through instructional videos as opposed to the written word; even when detailed photographs are included. So, my rating is based more on a personal preference than on the actual content.
With regards to the content, the instructional steps and tips are clear, however, I think Stephanie Bower's methods of attaining realistic perspective and architectural sketches to be superior to Holmes's methods.
As a side note, I find Holmes's sketches to be messy and not aesthetically pleasing. I do realize that it is most likely due to the nature and swiftness required in his style of urban sketching. - Again, that's merely my personal preference.
With regards to the content, the instructional steps and tips are clear, however, I think Stephanie Bower's methods of attaining realistic perspective and architectural sketches to be superior to Holmes's methods.
As a side note, I find Holmes's sketches to be messy and not aesthetically pleasing. I do realize that it is most likely due to the nature and swiftness required in his style of urban sketching. - Again, that's merely my personal preference.
October 22, 2020
After taking couple of classes from this author, I was excited to read this book (which I had bought even before taking his classes). Loved this book and his techniques. The book goes into more details and the author does a great job of explaining the techniques. Highly recommend for anyone planning to get into urban sketching. This is not for someone who doesn’t know anything about drawing or painting. This is more targeted towards people who have done a little bit of both but haven’t tried urban sketching before.
February 6, 2020
This is one of the excellent books I recommend when someone wants a good book on how to make marks... Marc is clear in thought (as a teacher) and his enthusiasm for the process of making marks comes through in every page. His watercolor sketches are GORGEOUS and he gives it all away. Pen and ink, watercolor is my thing and I benefited greatly by the book. Came for my birthday just as I was moving to watercolors!
August 24, 2021
Just loved it
I like it takes you from the very basic drawing principles all the way to basic painting. Some things seem a little repetitive but that’s the only way we learn. It is a great book for newbies and it is also great to help you reinforce your knowledge if you already draw or paint. Of course, the most important part is practicing as you read it. Really recommend this book.
I like it takes you from the very basic drawing principles all the way to basic painting. Some things seem a little repetitive but that’s the only way we learn. It is a great book for newbies and it is also great to help you reinforce your knowledge if you already draw or paint. Of course, the most important part is practicing as you read it. Really recommend this book.
June 25, 2018
Very instructive and good techniques for self training
Someone told me that sketching is ability born with not trainable. Well, I have found this book defeated that statement totally and I have started my sketch journal with the techniques from this book. Recommended to all sketchers.
Someone told me that sketching is ability born with not trainable. Well, I have found this book defeated that statement totally and I have started my sketch journal with the techniques from this book. Recommended to all sketchers.
March 25, 2019
A nicely written and illustrated book for those looking to get into urban sketching, offering lesson-style assignments to help you learn the different aspects of on-scene drawing one sketch at a time.
September 4, 2021
I had to skim through it due to an expiring library loan, but since I've some experience with urban sketching already I don't feel like I missed out. I might come back to this one as it's great to hear tips from someone who does that seriously.
November 28, 2016
While the tips were good and I like his informative style, the photos were not of good quality which made the book disappointing.
August 2, 2017
The best book on urban sketching skills from my opinion. Good methodology and great examples.
July 10, 2018
Great tips
The explanations were very clear and the suggestions good. Enjoyed the context and context I’d recommend this book! Enjoyed it!
The explanations were very clear and the suggestions good. Enjoyed the context and context I’d recommend this book! Enjoyed it!
December 5, 2018
I love this book, there are so many great techniques and tips, and plenty of images. I often refer back to thus book over all of my others.
December 11, 2019
A lot of decent Urban Sketching tips, but definitely not for the beginner.
June 1, 2020
Good. Practical. Several useful tips.
September 5, 2020
Great resource; lots of info and ideas
November 17, 2020
Helpful exercises and a good framework for any sketcher starting out.
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May 22, 2021Very nice
July 24, 2021
Loved this book.
Excellent resource even for experienced artists. I like the 3step process . This old art teacher was inspired to get out long unused materials.
Excellent resource even for experienced artists. I like the 3step process . This old art teacher was inspired to get out long unused materials.
August 15, 2021
Great book and starter on urban sketching. Some details are lost on me, and I skipped through the watercolor section, since I am not there yet, however, overall I really enjoyed it
February 14, 2022
Delightful way to pass the time once the weather gets better. I found this book easy to follow even as a beginner!
October 31, 2022
The author has his specific style. If you like it, this is a book for you, but if you want to learn some basic general principles like me, look for something else.
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June 15, 2023an engaging exploration of watercolor
techniques
techniques
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews