Book
Sketching — from Square One to Trafalgar Square
“By far the best book on sketching I’ve seen.”
Robert Frank, Past President, American Society of Architectural Illustrators
A Simpler Way to Learn Freehand Sketching
Join Richard E Scott as he opens his sketchbook and shares with you an innovative approach to learning observational freehand sketching. In this book you will learn:
How to draw anything with excellent accuracy
How to see with the eyes of an artist
How to apply emotion to select and sketch compelling subjects
What separates artistic expression from merely copying
Excellent for Beginners to Seasoned Artists & Designers
Beginners will find the method easy to understand and can apply it to gain immediate results. Experienced professionals will find that this method measurably improves their ability to sketch with greater accuracy and emotion. Richly illustrated, with 419 illustrations (sketches, step-by-step diagrams, and photographs), and each idea explained clearly and concisely, this no-nonsense guide is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to sketch manually or digitally (the thinking process is exactly the same).
Reader Reviews
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“One of the best books on drawing I’ve ever read. Will assist you to draw and sketch better than you ever thought you could - and it’s fun!”
Robert A Wade, World-Renown Watercolorist, Author, PAINTING MORE THAN THE EYE CAN SEE
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"This book will light your passion for sketching."
William Wray, Animator, THE REN AND STIMPY SHOW, and Cartoonist, MAD MAGAZINE
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“I have a hundred drawing books because I always think there’s going to be the one that actually teaches me something, and this one did. It’s a fantastic book! A must-have for every artist’s library, no matter what level of experience.”
Kathleen Dunphy, Artist, Teacher
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“This book is like having a year’s worth of lessons in one package - an awesome piece of literature that’s clear, concise, well-organized, and straight-to-the-point. Exceptional!”
Alex Bodnar, High School Art Teacher, LA Unified School District
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“Sketching from Square One to Trafalgar Square is a knockout!”
Thomas Schaller, Author, ARCHITECTURE IN WATERCOLOR, and THE ART OF ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING
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“Direct and easy to understand explanations and excellent examples that will encourage and inspire anyone who picks up this book.”
Kenneth S Nakaba, FASLA Former Chair, Department of Landscape Architecture, Cal Poly Pomona
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“I would love to have had this book last summer when I taught a class in drawing. It will certainly be in my next class.”
William G Hook, Renown Architectural Illustrator, Architect, and Teacher
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“Most sketching tutorials basically show how the author sketches and then say (essentially), “now you go and do likewise.” Scott’s approach is different. He presents an extended tutorial on the art of seeing, which is the essential first ingredient of drawing. He teaches you how to see and how to properly evaluate what you see, so that you can efficiently capture it in your sketch. The ability to sketch effectively falls out as a natural consequence.”
Five-Star Amazon Review
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“My all-time favorite art book. All the seeing + thinking + sketching concepts are presented in a logical and comprehensive way. I have a lot of drawing books, and most of them have some really good sections. But this book has gold on every page.”
Five-Star Amazon Review
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“I’ve had the book for about one week and have done 15-20 sketches using methods the book details. I have NEVER drawn this accurately or created such compelling and interesting compositions. I am shocked and super happy with this. Drawing has become so fun and challenging. If you are serious about improving your drawing abilities, this book will seriously change the game.”
Josh Walden, Artist
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“I get asked all the time about good books for learning how to draw. This book is one of the best out there. Raw beginner or seasoned veteran, this book has something for everyone. Hint - don’t skip any of the tutorials. He takes what may seem like simple exercises and carefully builds upon them until you are drawing in a manner that will surprise you. Measuring proportions, understanding angles, shapes, contrast, composition and one of the best explanations of perspective I’ve seen in a long time. Help get the word out on this fantastic book.”
Iain Stewart, Instructor, Auburn University
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“I have been drawing and painting (casually) for about forty years and this is the first book that for me has provided everything that I have ever wanted/needed to learn about sketching. An extremely informative, well balanced and wonderfully illustrated book. A joy to read and follow. A must buy as far as I am concerned. Even after my first copy was stolen in a local UK coffee shop I immediately ordered another.”
Five-Star Amazon Review
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“It goes way beyond any “how to” book I’ve ever read ... and I’ve read a lot of them. This book was recommended by a favorite artist I follow on the web. I took the hook, bought the book, and it far exceeded all of my expectations. It has already become a “go to” textbook in my studio. I’ve noticed immediate and significant improvement in my sketching abilities. This book has opened my mind to a completely different approach to sketching ... very helpful. It’s a really great book for anyone wanting to elevate their sketching skills and enjoyment of sketching. To give it a “five star” rating seems inadequate.”
Five-Star Amazon Review
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“I am a professional artist and art professor with over twenty five years’ experience. Over many years, I have collected an extensive number of excellent art books, particularly ones on drawing techniques and approaches. This book is one of the very best books on the subject of drawing that I have ever read. This book does not simply provide the usual type of step-by-step examples found in so many books on drawing, it teaches principles and procedures which are useful, practical, and applicable to depicting subject matter of all kinds. And, this book shares concepts which enable its readers to be both analytical in their thinking, as well as self-expressive. For teachers and drawing instructors, this wonderful book can easily serve as a textbook that students will be able to easily understand, follow, and relate to. I highly endorse this incredible book and I would give it more than a five stars rating if possible.”
Five-Star Amazon Review
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“I ordered this book based on a recommendation I heard on the Artists Helping Artists podcast. I am really glad I did as I have been drawing for years but never felt like I had the technique/talent for interesting sketches. I love how the book starts out and builds upon the basic ideas to help you break down a composition using various options all of which can lead to incredible pieces of art. I highly recommend to anyone looking to improve existing skills or learn new ones.”
Five-Star Amazon Review