The Artist's Guide to Sketching: The Classic Book about Making Art on Location

Few books bridge the gap between artistic inspiration and practical technique as effectively as The Artist’s Guide to Sketching by James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade. First published in 1982, this masterfully written and beautifully illustrated guide remains one of the most insightful resources for artists looking to refine their observational and sketching skills. Gurney and Kinkade—both legendary in their respective fields—bring a unique synergy to this book. Before achieving individual fame (Gurney for Dinotopia and Kinkade for his luminous landscapes), the two artists embarked on an unforgettable journey, traveling across America to sketch everything from bustling cityscapes to quiet rural scenes. Their firsthand experiences form the foundation of this book, making it not just a guide, but an engaging travelogue of artistic discovery. A Masterclass in Observation and Technique At its core, The Artist’s Guide to Sketching emphasizes the importance of keen observation, spontaneity, and discipline. The book is structured in a way that caters to both beginners and seasoned artists, covering essential topics such as: • Choosing the Right Tools: The authors break down the pros and cons of different sketching materials, from pencils and pens to watercolor washes, offering guidance on selecting the right medium for various subjects. • Understanding Composition: Gurney and Kinkade delve into the principles of composition, teaching artists how to frame their sketches effectively by controlling elements such as balance, perspective, and contrast. • Sketching from Life: One of the book’s most valuable sections, this chapter explores techniques for capturing movement, depth, and emotion in real-time—whether sketching a crowded street, a tranquil landscape, or an intimate portrait. • The Role of Light and Shadow: Both authors are masters of light, and their insights into how lighting affects form, atmosphere, and storytelling elevate this book beyond a simple technique manual. A Timeless Resource for Every Artist What sets The Artist’s Guide to Sketching apart is its emphasis on sketching as a way of life rather than just a technical skill. The book is filled with personal anecdotes, travel sketches, and insightful reflections on the artistic process. Gurney and Kinkade encourage artists to embrace imperfection, experiment fearlessly, and, most importantly, enjoy the process of seeing the world through an artist’s eyes. Despite being out of print for many years, this book remains a must-have for artists, illustrators, and anyone passionate about capturing the beauty of everyday life. The illustrations alone—fluid, expressive, and brimming with character—are worth studying in their own right. For those who can find a copy, The Artist’s Guide to Sketching is not just an instructional manual—it’s an invitation to embark on an artistic journey, one sketch at a time. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a seasoned professional, this book will inspire you to pick up a sketchbook, step outside, and start drawing. A classic in the world of sketching and observational art, The Artist’s Guide to Sketching is a timeless and indispensable book that belongs in every artist’s library.

An excellent book by two masters of sketching. A very nice, hefty, paperback book on the art of sketching nearly entirely in sepia. That alone drew me to this book. I love it. The images are beautiful. An entertaining, comprehensive collection of tips, tricks, personal stories and shared experiences of these two well known artists. The images draw you in. They are vast and show the skills of these two. From quick sketches to completed works of art. They advise on how to deal with the elements when sketching on the move or in the elements with weather, crowds, nosy people and more. What materials work for them and may work well for you. How to be accurate when is is necessary. How to capture movement and mood. The importance of being creative. Learning about nature and portraying people. Sketching those things that don’t move or change. Make them interesting and finally how to incorporate sketching into your daily life. It’s a wonderful book. It deserves a spot in your library and would make a fantastic gift for the “sketcher or want to be sketcher” in your life. Just get it you won’t regret it.

Packed with insight and useful tips.

The style of writing in this book is easy and pleasant to read. Although I have been drawing and sketching for a long time, I was still able to pick up some nice hints and tricks. Especially for me, it was about your attitude toward sketching and taking risks. I usually don't read art books cover to cover, as I usually try to extract just what I need at the time. I start at the front and working on going through the entire book. Each time I think I will stop, I'm surprised by something one of these two very renowned artist has to say. Needless to say, I'm hooked. I hope, you too, will find their journey and story interesting.

James Gurney is an excellent instructor and this is a great visual story of the adventure he and Kincaid took together. Offers techniques and suggestions as you travel with them.

Got this after hearing an art lecture. The book is good and has some great examples that demonstrate setting a theme (and other points). But I had hoped for a bit more detail on actual technique. That said, I'd still recommend this for those getting into (or back into) sketching.

This is a lovely and interesting book, but I am giving it to a real artist. It was clearly beyond my level of ability. I still gave it 5 stars because after all, the title says it’s for artists!

Love this book so far. Learning a lot about about the pitfalls of plein air painting, as well as the benefits. One of the best parts of this book as both Gurney and Kincade show what can be done with a minimal set of tools - and a lot of practice.

Excelente. Um clássico!

Some real good stuff.

Ein lang vergriffener Klassiker. Bevor es Urban Sketching gab, zeichnete man im Freien. Das Weltwissen dieser Kunst wird in diesem Buch zusammen gefasst. Entstanden ist das Buch auf abenteuerlicher Reisen, die sie aus den Akademischen Räumen ihrer Kunsthochschule führten. Es gibt wenige Schritt für Schritt Anleitungen, weswegen das Buch nicht unbedingt ein Buch für Anfänger ist. Für Urban Sketcher ist es ein absolutes Muss! Für die beiden Zeichner/Autoren war es der Beginn zweier erfolgreicher Karrieren. Der verstorbene Maler Thomas Kinkade wurde einer der populärsten Künstler der Gegenwart und James Gurney machte die Dinotopia Bücher, fertigte unzählige wissenschaftliche Illustrationen an und führt seinen äußerst erfolgreichen Blog. Zudem schrieb er Bücher über imaginativen Realismus und das Malen mit Farbe und Licht, die wirken, als wäre diese Buch das Vorwort zu den beiden Büchern.

James Gurney is a genius and this book so far has been a great read for his insights in how he approaches subjects to draw. Would 100% recommend if you're an artist or buying for an artist/aspiring artist. Book itself is paperback and has a lot of great illustrations and text to go through, its a decent size with a good balance of text to images.

More a novel then a guide.