Sketching on Location

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.  Sketching on Location by Matthew Brehm is like a textbook on sketching, and it reads like one. The introduction even has a history on sketching from the days when people were drawing on parchment before paper was invented, to the present day where sketches are shared online.There are lots of useful tips and techniques on sketching written in a conversational tone. Many of these tips can actually be found in other drawing books but this book focuses on drawing on location, hence all the examples are location drawings.Using the sketch examples that Brehm drew himself, he talks about techniques like sighting and measuring, choosing subjects, setup and composition, perspective, applying value, using colours and including miscellaneous backgrounds for context. The book covers just enough of the basic sketching fundamentals and the instructions are explained very clearly. And there's insightful commentary as Brehm talks about the sketches he made.This book is actually quite similar in scope with another book called Freehand Drawing and Discovery: Urban Sketching and Concept Drawing for Designers by James Richards. This book provides slightly more info on technical drawing skills though. The authors present the topics differently though from their perspective.If you're a beginner starting out, I would also recommend Keys to Drawing. That's more hands-on to complement Brehm's book.It's a good book overall but I felt that selling it at 57 dollars is quite pricy. It's a 176-page paperback and the paper feels like textbook quality paper -- soft.(Check out more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)

I have been a regular visitor to the Urban Sketchers website since it was created and I was looking forward to acquiring this location sketching book by Matthew Brehm, one of the talented members of the group. And the content did not disappoint -- this is one of the best sketching technique books I have read.The slim volume provides a concise course on sketching on location. It's warm, direct style makes it a pleasure to read. You learn the basic skills of sighting, composition, perspective, building the sketch, adding value, color, and entourage but you feel as though you are on location with the author, looking over his shoulder and picking up tips. For each technique discussed, the author explains how he applied it in his own location sketches (the book is lavishly illustrated). He also offers great advice for avoiding common pitfalls..It's a pity that the excellent content was not matched by a high quality book cover. Within 30 minutes of arrival, the tips of the corners began to curl. This is before I even opened the book! I handled the book carefully, as I do all my books, yet less than two weeks after purchase, half of of the front and back covers have rolled back on themselves and the paper it literally separating at the tips. I've never had an art book do this and I'm extremely disappointed. For $57 -- considerably more than I paid for my other art books -- I expected much better quality.I would think twice before purchasing a book by this publisher.

Though the content is excellent, the book arrived with a ding on one corner of the spine in a padded post bag. The cover paper is very light weight, much more so than my other soft cover books. It started to curl almost immediately. It became obvious that it is going to have to be kept in the bookcase rather than on a table or by my bed.

I don't know why everyone goes on about the cover being flexible: the content totally makes it worth the price. It is packed with information, I especially love the chapter on value in sketches.

This is another book I bought about freehand location sketching. The first was James Richards "Freehand Drawing and Discovery" a 5 star book in content, like this one, but in quality of book also. The only problem with this book is the poor quality of the book itself (especially considering the price). It's rather flimsy and I have already bent some edges, had numerous pages curl, and a few already separate from the binding. Mr. Richard's book is not only hardcover but very high quality. In saying all this, I do not think the author had any input on the quality of the book or it would have been made better. The content is 5 stars for sure and Mr Brehm does deserve recognition for all the amazing information he provided. It is much like Mr Richard's book but from a slightly different perspective (no pun intended). I say definitely get this book, just be careful with it as it is not very sturdy.

It doesn't matter if you're a beginner or someone that wants to study more and learn new ways to draw, this is a very good book. It has lots of examples and explanations that will help you understand the process and then, practice. After that you will definitely improve your drawing skills.

If you are interested in sketching on location this one is a must have!!Content: Materials, Viewfinder, Perspective, Value and Color (Watercolor e color pencil). Full of sketches done by the author.Great book from an Urbansketcher!!

This book is very detailed from someone who really understands perspective and tone. But it isn't boring. Great illustrations. Highly recommended.