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Look at That!: Discover the Joy of Seeing by Sketching

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* Do you often have a busy mind?
* Do you race through your overbooked day, and feel like the fulfilling part is still missing?
* Do you wish the solution could be simple, inexpensive, and actually fun?

“Yes, but I’m not artistic.” Oh, that’s even better!

Explore this new, lighthearted approach to looking, seeing, and finally sketching. So-called “non-artists” will quickly develop an artist’s eye. Artists will rediscover the joy of “beginner mind," back before perfectionism set in. You will come to love those five minutes of “Look-at-That” practice which have the power to relax and reinvigorate you at a moment's notice. Best of all, when your sketchbook is filled, you will also have a travelogue of your recent adventures seeing your world for the first time. You will be amazed.

“Look at That!” will introduce you to:
* The Sketchbook Adventure Kit
* Step-by-step ways to begin filling your sketchbook with practice exercises
* New ways to pause and observe your surroundings, without using pen and paper
* Warm-up exercises to use between moments of inspiration
* Ways to meet fellow sketchers, to learn from each other, and begin building a creative community

My bold promise: You might be on the verge of falling in love—with looking, with seeing, and finally, with sketching. You have nothing to lose, and a whole new outlook to gain. “Look at That!”

Quotes from readers:
“I had been rushing to beat this panicky feeling of giving the day away, all day, to expense reports et al, and then pen to paper...POOF!!! Stress gone.”

“I was at my mechanic's garage, waiting for my car. Began sketching and the day was suddenly all mine.“

"Gem of a book for aspiring sketch journaling-- After many classes, I think this is the most concise and manageable book on how to start a sketch/watercolor journal practice. It’s quick effective reading!"

Available as eBook and 72-page paperback.

74 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2020

714 people are currently reading
114 people want to read

About the author

Bobbie Herron

2 books5 followers

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5 stars
177 (56%)
4 stars
80 (25%)
3 stars
46 (14%)
2 stars
4 (1%)
1 star
7 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Lori.
641 reviews
September 1, 2023
Short (about 75 pages) and useful beginner book for those new to sketching. It was free to read with prime, so I give it four stars for the few exercises it contains. I wouldn’t have been impressed if I had paid anything more than a couple dollars, but for a free read it was worth the time and I actually did the exercises and felt they were a good use of my practice time.
3 reviews
September 22, 2022
Useful!!!

Perfect for adults or teens who really want to know how to start sketching you've got all the stuff and you sit there with your pencil to paper not knowing where to start and how to fix what you just attempted this little book really helped me look at the world around me differently and help me put things in perspective. I will actually use this book! It's not a "how to sketch tutorial" is a book to read about how to see the world as a sketch subject. Clearly written and actually useful!
Profile Image for Karen Prive.
290 reviews5 followers
November 22, 2020
I don't think of myself as an artist. A writer, a poet, maybe even a photographer and musician - sure. But my drawing skills have not much evolved since I was six or seven. So why did I pick up Bobbie Herron's book?

I have mental illness, and my current therapist did his undergrad in visual art. He has been urging me to try art therapy - to draw my fears, or his newest challenge, myself as a superhero. First he suggested I try sketching what I see around me, advising that I look for lines and shapes. Huh?

I just read and reread Look at That! and found myself encouraged and so eager to start that I followed up by ordering some of the supplies suggested. My sketchbook, paints and brushes arrive tomorrow. And I made an out-loud commitment to my accountability partner to sketch daily for the next month.

Am I an artist? No, but that's not the point. This book is perfect for people like me, who are looking for new perspective.
Profile Image for Beth Virgil.
61 reviews
November 9, 2022
Full of ideas to experience the joy of creating

As an aspiring artist who hasn’t made art in over a year, this was just what I needed. This book supplied me with plenty of ideas to start making art again without fear of failure. It’s full of great ideas that were new to me, as well as creative prompts to kickoff your sketchbook adventure. It’s all about mindset and this is the book that I will return to whenever I feel stuck.
Profile Image for Mary Anne Shew.
74 reviews5 followers
January 19, 2022
Great ideas with lots of encouragement

I’m a beginner at sketching. This is is the first book that makes me feel I can actually sketch instead of sighing with disappointment at an artist who doesn’t “get” beginners. Bobbie’s approach is simple, love her explicit suggestions for supplies, and the exercises are doable and fun. I see lots of sketching in my future!
Profile Image for Lucydawn.
4 reviews
January 25, 2023
Encouraging and inspiring.

I am beginning my sketching/watercolor journey and this book was helpful. The exercises were practical and accessible to me as a rank beginner. I first read it on kindle unlimited then purchased it so I could refer back to it. Sweet little book that was kind in urging and encouraging a true beginner.
4 reviews
July 5, 2021
A lighthearted look at sketching for fun and motivation

A great little sketching guide with tips and inspiration on how to "see" better. Easy and fun read to get started and continue to improve.
99 reviews
October 28, 2021
Really helpful

I liked the fact Bobbie keeps it SIMPLE! Helpful tips for those of us who tiptoe to a blank page and panic! Great ideas to warm up...liked the idea of following a "squirrel" along a roof line...fun ways to "see" and suggestions for doing so. Thank you Bobbie!!!
Profile Image for Candle Light.
3 reviews
February 4, 2022
Quick non regrettable book a art person could enjoy

A surprisingly short but endearing book about the enjoyment of taking in the world around you. The author felt like a relative you loved seeing with their encouragements throughout the book.
Profile Image for Alexis.
269 reviews6 followers
October 19, 2022
Gem of a book for aspiring sketch journaling

After many classes, I think this is the most concise and manageable book on how to start a sketch/watercolor journal practice. It’s quick effective reading!
Profile Image for Colleen Stinchcombe.
110 reviews8 followers
October 27, 2022
This was so lovely! Short, sweet, and practical. It doesn’t get into the weeds like many beginner books do. And the exercises were ones I hadn’t seen before. I immediately made some pre-washed shapes to ink draw in later. Very happy to have found this.
Profile Image for Suzanne Lilly.
Author 13 books125 followers
November 26, 2022
Gentle Inspiration

I love the ideas Bobbie Herron gives in the book. She has a warm and gentle style of writing. Doing one small thing each day can move your sketchbook practice forward, gently and steadily, even if you're a brand new beginner, like me!
Profile Image for Brittany.
63 reviews
December 18, 2022
This book gives several techniques for non-artists to learn to see, instead of merely looking. The tips within this book are simple but make a large impact. The book also gives a template for starting the first few pages of your sketchbook to avoid the daunting blank page.
175 reviews
November 27, 2020
Practical little book for beginning sketchers
79 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2021
A Good Inspiration

I am new to sketching and found this book a great source of inspiration to get out sketch & explore.
Profile Image for Ieda Burnell.
2 reviews
August 22, 2021
I love this book

Simple and objective. Absolutely refreshing and inspirational. This book made me want to get out of bed at 5:00 a.m. to do some sketches.
9 reviews
November 13, 2021
Full and Concise.

Don't let the length fool you. This book is full of valuable information, exercises, and skills to get you going, and to sustain your growth.
Profile Image for Deirdre E Siegel.
806 reviews
April 29, 2022
A delicious wee book for those of you who like drawing,
anything, anywhere, anytime, be it is fridge art, smile making, delighting, inspiring
or because you can :-)

Profile Image for Jacky Mercury.
277 reviews1 follower
July 31, 2022
Simple and easy encouragement

This book takes all the fear out of beginning that new sketchbook and being fac3d with the dreaded blank page!
770 reviews5 followers
November 14, 2022
Excellent

A very wonderful way it inspire encourage and jump start anyone to create drawings. I highly recommend this creative and precise way to exercise your brain and relax.
2 reviews
November 16, 2022
Perfect for inspiration

I loved it. As how nicely they described all about sketching in such a fun way. Definitely recommend to anyone
9 reviews
June 6, 2023
Bit disappointed

The book discusses supplies all the way to page 60. I hate when how to draw, paint, color,etc do that.
4 reviews
July 18, 2023
Interesting little book!

Although not a comprehensive how to draw book, the author does give some practical advice on tools, technique, and sketching attitude. I’m inspired!
Profile Image for Barbara.
551 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2023
Offers good and practical tips on creating.
Profile Image for Charlene Xiaolan.
45 reviews5 followers
August 25, 2023
a good quick start for picking up sketching but

As a total beginner, I find it an inspirational read but lacks a bit of technical instructions. But a good starting point.
Profile Image for Barb.
939 reviews56 followers
November 13, 2021
I expected this book to be about sketching with a pencil and paper. It turned out there was a lot of info on markers and watercolors that I’m not sure I’m ready for! The tips and techniques were well explained. The author gave a lot of very specific product suggestions.
222 reviews1 follower
Read
July 15, 2024
Nicely done.

I have now read both the first and second editions. The first edition was incredibly helpful. The second is a significant improvement. I learned a lot from the first edition, and more from the second edition.
First painters draw shapes. Something I forget.
Second, you are painting with water.
Third, I learned about values.

There are some nice exercises to complete also.
Profile Image for Christine Warren.
1 review
Read
April 19, 2021
I bought this for myself at Christmas time, but didn't really begin using it until March. I have one college art course behind me and found this very inspiring. I also bought the author's suggested packet of artist's tools, so when I was ready, I was ready. It's been fun. When I get frustrated, I reread her instructions. It's there!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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