New York Sketches 2004

by Adrian Tomine

Dan Clowes meets Walker Evans in this collection of subway and street portraits by Adrian Tomine, whose work readers will recognize from Time, Rolling Stone, Dave Eggersis Best American Nonrequired Reading and the cover of The New Yorker. New York Sketches features 15 full-color reproductions of the beautiful ink-and-watercolor drawings that Tomine began after moving from California to the city. Each shows his unparalleled eye for detail: a police officer scrutinizes a stylish young mother; a girl remains content but completely motionless through four subway stops; a disgruntled worker kicks a chair while he sweeps. This remarkable portfolio is printed on finely textured 130-lb. Cougar paper, accordion folded so that images can be detached for framing or displayed upright together. It is the only full-color project featuring new art from Adrian Tomine, one of the most respected and perhaps the most widely visible alternative cartoonists of our time.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Art

15 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2005

About the author

Adrian Tomine was born in 1974 in Sacramento, California. He began self-publishing his comic book series Optic Nerve. His comics have been anthologized in publications such as McSweeney’s, Best American Comics, and Best American Nonrequired Reading, and his graphic novel "Shortcomings" was a New York Times Notable Book of 2007. His next release, "Killing and Dying" will be published by Drawn and Quarterly in October 2015.

Since 1999, Tomine has been a regular contributor to The New Yorker. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and daughters.

Reviews

[Ill D · Rating 1 out of 5]

I officially made the Guinness World record for fastest comic book read (2018).

A paper thin smattering of words amounting to about two paragraphs matches perfectly boring and unoriginal art-work in this 14 page work. This read proves Adrian Tomine to be the talent-less hack we always knew he was. This (ladies and gentlemen) is Hipster filth at its finest.

I want my reward $!

[Nick Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crisp clean observational sketches, beautifully watercoloured and accompanied by wry commentary by Tomine describing the circumstances of the drawing.

A slight but enjoyable package.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several great sketches by a great comic book artist!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love Adrian Tomine's Optic Nerve series, and I think he's one of the best comic artists out there today. This book is a good one to glance at, but I don't think it's a worthy coffee table book - not enough substance.

[Isa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning sketches by Mr Tomine. Brought this home from my last trip to NY, still haven't found the perfect place to show this off in my apartment.

[Nura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Klo dibikin kayak komiknya benny and mice mungkin lebih menarik.

[Sha Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 stars

[Sonaksha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite. Could not look away.
The colours, the lines, the people, the little notes. Such a wonderful collection!

I could go on gushing about Tomine’s work. But these sketches have specially inspired me to venture out some more. Parks, metros, malls, here I come.