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The Joy of Sketch: A beginner’s guide to sketching the everyday
Rediscover the pleasure you got from childhood drawing, before you became too self-conscious and self-critical to enjoy it.
Most children draw. Before we can write, even, we scribble and sketch and create. But somehow that gets lost as we get older. We learn that Being An Artist is hard and complicated, and that there are technical rules to choosing colour and perfecting your perspective. This book is here to remind you of the joy you once found in creating, scribbling, getting something down on paper – and that it’s really about the process and nothing to do with how technically brilliant the finished ‘artwork’ is.
In this accessible guide, largely self-taught artist Jen Russell-Smith takes beginners by the hand and breaks down the barriers we face around sketching, and shows you how to begin with quick, loose sketches building your confidence and skills to draw spontaneously, with nothing more than the things around you for inspiration.
With simple exercises that anyone can follow, Jen shows you how to sketch the things and the places around you from life, using simple watercolour techniques to add vibrancy to your work.
Most children draw. Before we can write, even, we scribble and sketch and create. But somehow that gets lost as we get older. We learn that Being An Artist is hard and complicated, and that there are technical rules to choosing colour and perfecting your perspective. This book is here to remind you of the joy you once found in creating, scribbling, getting something down on paper – and that it’s really about the process and nothing to do with how technically brilliant the finished ‘artwork’ is.
In this accessible guide, largely self-taught artist Jen Russell-Smith takes beginners by the hand and breaks down the barriers we face around sketching, and shows you how to begin with quick, loose sketches building your confidence and skills to draw spontaneously, with nothing more than the things around you for inspiration.
With simple exercises that anyone can follow, Jen shows you how to sketch the things and the places around you from life, using simple watercolour techniques to add vibrancy to your work.
128 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2020
651 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 10, 2025
I've mixed feeling about this book but overall I did like it and it is definitely worth a read if you are a beginner or just looking for ideas for what to sketch, draw or paint. What I did like about the book is that the author is really encouraging and full of ideas for subject matter, so it's worth a browse through the book for that alone, especially if you are faced with a blank page with no idea what to sketch. What I was not as impressed with was the art within, it wasn't very inspiring to me, although this is very subjective to one's personal taste and that is hardly the author's fault. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely some sketches / drawings within the book that show off author's artistic skill and she does apply it effectively when more care is given. However many of her sketches look rushed and rather than looking whimsical they feel of being more of just a scrawl. I do apologise to the artist for that last statement because her intent was probably just to make a quick sketchy impression with these pieces.
After finishing the book it is clear to me that the author's intention is to get across the message to her readers that the final product's finesse shouldn't always be the goal of practicing drawing and painting because the act of forming a regular habit for these is more important for one to improve their skill, and quell one's inner critic and enjoy making art for its own sake. On the balance of things, I'd recommend this book.
After finishing the book it is clear to me that the author's intention is to get across the message to her readers that the final product's finesse shouldn't always be the goal of practicing drawing and painting because the act of forming a regular habit for these is more important for one to improve their skill, and quell one's inner critic and enjoy making art for its own sake. On the balance of things, I'd recommend this book.
August 3, 2024
Reminds Me of Honors Art
After taking sixth grade art class about a dozen or so of us were picked by the art teacher to take her Honors Art class in seventh grade. Although I had not considered myself good at drawing up to that point, if there was an Honors class I needed to be in it.
This book moved slow in the beginning but then I realized she was teaching just as our art teacher, Ms. Carolyn Ramsey of Columbia, South Carolina who went on to be a big time local artist and was making jewelry last I read.
It starts really small and things are added day by day and piece by piece. You learn the drawing tool is the one in your hand and the best medium is whatever you can get to right then and there.
Highly recommend this book for anyone who currently, in the future or in the past has ever drawn or painted something just to see if they could.
After taking sixth grade art class about a dozen or so of us were picked by the art teacher to take her Honors Art class in seventh grade. Although I had not considered myself good at drawing up to that point, if there was an Honors class I needed to be in it.
This book moved slow in the beginning but then I realized she was teaching just as our art teacher, Ms. Carolyn Ramsey of Columbia, South Carolina who went on to be a big time local artist and was making jewelry last I read.
It starts really small and things are added day by day and piece by piece. You learn the drawing tool is the one in your hand and the best medium is whatever you can get to right then and there.
Highly recommend this book for anyone who currently, in the future or in the past has ever drawn or painted something just to see if they could.
June 2, 2024
I wish I could draw well, but I can't. Every now and then I buy a how-to-draw book, and read it and wish again that I could draw well, but I still can't. (Never mind that I don't actually try any of the exercises in any of the books.)
Anywho, it's the same for this lovely little book. I read it and I didn't try to draw anything and I still can't draw well. But I appreciate the book for its simplicity, its ideas, and especially those "fill a page" prompts.
Anywho, it's the same for this lovely little book. I read it and I didn't try to draw anything and I still can't draw well. But I appreciate the book for its simplicity, its ideas, and especially those "fill a page" prompts.
April 10, 2024
a pleasure to experience!
I am reminded of Julia Cameron’s morning pages using visuals instead of language- a beautiful alternative for visual thinkers! I’m drawn to my art area immediately!
I am reminded of Julia Cameron’s morning pages using visuals instead of language- a beautiful alternative for visual thinkers! I’m drawn to my art area immediately!
April 11, 2024
what a delightful book
It’s really nice to see a book about the joys of ordinary, every day sketching. Encouraging people to just draw daily life, with such lovely illustrations and such useful tips.
It’s really nice to see a book about the joys of ordinary, every day sketching. Encouraging people to just draw daily life, with such lovely illustrations and such useful tips.
May 25, 2024
such an inspiring book!
A million ideas to fill up a sketchbook and get your mojo going for other artistic endeavors. I’ve never tried her style but she makes me believe I can do it. Next up is trying out what I have learned. I’m excited!!
A million ideas to fill up a sketchbook and get your mojo going for other artistic endeavors. I’ve never tried her style but she makes me believe I can do it. Next up is trying out what I have learned. I’m excited!!
June 16, 2024
The book is just about giving ideas what to draw and nothing more.
Not telling how to draw. It is like giving an musical instrument to someone and telling you can play this song or that song. So you can get ideas about what to draw but you will not learn how to draw.
Not telling how to draw. It is like giving an musical instrument to someone and telling you can play this song or that song. So you can get ideas about what to draw but you will not learn how to draw.
December 12, 2024
I really liked this one! I will be purchasing it for my own reference library. It really inspired me to pick up a pencil and a notebook and start sketching. It had a good balance of ideas and instruction. Very good examples, but also a little intimidating. Will I ever be that good?
March 21, 2025
Such an amazing reference for guiding me into my next new hobby.
This book is an easy read and Jens sketches are beautiful. For this busy caregiver at home and at work I can now find an outlet to care for myself. Thanks so much for sharing your art Jen!
This book is an easy read and Jens sketches are beautiful. For this busy caregiver at home and at work I can now find an outlet to care for myself. Thanks so much for sharing your art Jen!
October 23, 2025
A terrific primer on sketching with ink and watercolor
This book does a great job of introducing a budding artist into sketching techniques using ink and watercolor. This is my favorite medium combination, and even though I've been doing it for years I found value in this book.
This book does a great job of introducing a budding artist into sketching techniques using ink and watercolor. This is my favorite medium combination, and even though I've been doing it for years I found value in this book.
January 25, 2021
Feels like it's more for an intermediate artist, as it does not go into a lot of detail; but love the relaxed approach the author encourages, and lots of inspiration.
March 26, 2021
This book is great for ideas of what to put in your sketchbook! It has great ideas for begining artists to go out and pratice.
December 21, 2022
Again, another instructional how-to book, but the prompts are decent. She is very encouraging to just get out there and draw what’s in front of you.
May 19, 2024
Lots of cool ideas for sketching that I never considered.
June 25, 2024
So helpful
This book is a great go to when you want to draw but can’t think what. I love the vibrancy and simplicity of the artist’s examples.
This book is a great go to when you want to draw but can’t think what. I love the vibrancy and simplicity of the artist’s examples.
August 16, 2024
Pretty book!
Lovely book, fun to read, illustrations are beautiful and inspiring. If you have never painted before this is a good book to start with, simple and fun.
Lovely book, fun to read, illustrations are beautiful and inspiring. If you have never painted before this is a good book to start with, simple and fun.
August 24, 2024
Lovely book
Very inspiring. Motivates me to start sketching again. Thank you.
Nice and easy read especially for beginners like me who lost our inspi along the way. Thank you
Very inspiring. Motivates me to start sketching again. Thank you.
Nice and easy read especially for beginners like me who lost our inspi along the way. Thank you
October 26, 2024
Colorful and artistic
This book makes an artist want to sketch in color. Its patterns are interesting and fun to copy.Everyday objects can be besutiful.
This book makes an artist want to sketch in color. Its patterns are interesting and fun to copy.Everyday objects can be besutiful.
December 19, 2024
The book provides excellent, achievable tips and exercises to follow. Good illustrations and plenty of encouragement to draw simple things daily. Definitely inspiring.
February 15, 2025
it’s a real Joy!
Sketching is fun! I enjoy it but I need a lot of practice. I’m glad this book is available! Thanks!
Sketching is fun! I enjoy it but I need a lot of practice. I’m glad this book is available! Thanks!
July 5, 2024
I don't know that this is really for beginners. It won't actually try to teach you to draw. But if you can already draw a little and you need help to make yourself practice, then this book might prove useful to you.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews