I’m giving a lecture on the history of books about sketching (not sketch-books!) at the USk Manchester Symposium in July. I’ll be looking at some early examples from the UK, and comparing them with some of the many available today. I want to consider as many as possible so I need your help. Which are your favourites, and why do you like them? Are they practical/inspirational, ancient/modern, manual/art-book, local/global? Please let me know through the comments section, and I’ll add your contributions to the lecture… Many thanks, Ed (PS This is a ‘sticky’ post, and will stay at the top of the blog for a while. Normal service and twice weekly sketching posts continue below!)
Mostly drawing 
Ah-ha at last! Instead of a sketchy image your true identify will be revealed in vivid technicolour.
I shall be wearing a monochrome face mask John, the secret is safe!
“The Artist’s Guide to Sketching” by James Gurney and Thomas Kinkade is very good, both inspiring and full of practical advice, but unfortunately it’s out of print, though I reserved a copy from the local library. Don’t know why they don’t republish it, as Gurney’s other books are selling well.
Excellent choice Jim to get things going! Second hand copies sell for squillions of pounds, but it’s a great read and full of good stuff. Strange to ponder how far from sketching Kinkade ended up…
Hi, how about On-The-Spot Drawing, 12 Famous Illustrators Sescribe Their Materials and Working Methods on Location, by Nick Meglin. I think it too is out of print.
That’s a new one for me, it looks great. I love books where a range of people describe their different approaches. Hmmm, second-hand, and shipping from USA…
Can’t resist throwing out a suggestion – anything by Ernest Watson from the mid-1900’s, All out of print, of course. But many available second hand for reasonable prices.
Thanks Sue, that’s another new one for me; the pencil books look great, his style is wonderfully loose up close, and the perspective ones would be useful for urban views.
I believe in Kimon Nicolaides’ book “How to Draw the Natural Way”. I’m always going back to it for a good read. It is practical (sets up a 1 year schedule with 8 hour daily projects), inspirational (helps you start thinking like an artist) and loaded with sketches of all the students who took Kimon’s course after the Great War. (I’ve read that contour drawing was made popular by his teachings). … I will look into coming to England for the Symposium … any tips?
Thanks Stuart, it looks very thorough, and I love blind contour drawing for naturally ‘chaotic’ forms (foliage, clouds etc). The rigour also sits well with the daily drawing approach. Manchester should be fun; what kind of tips are you after?!
Ed
Another Nick Meglin book — Drawing from Within — is excellent. That one seems to be pretty easy to find.
Thanks Danielle, it looks good. Reading the introduction he seems to have a very democratic and clear approach; ‘get drawing!’
I’m interested in books of sketches (like Gentleman’s book of London) or about sketching, rather than books about how to sketch. Two I have are A Kendal Sketchbook by E M Bottomley and Earl Thollander’s San Francisco.
Thanks Bill. I’d never heard of Earl Thollander before, he’s prolific!
Hi, Ed, you have another post up on strata of the self:
https://strataoftheself.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/ed-mostly-self-portrait-3/
If you’re willing to share, I would love to see a list of the books you ended up talking about for your lecture! I collect old books about drawing (esp. with pen and ink) and am always wondering what else is out there…
Hi Danielle, I’ll sort a list out soonish, when I start to process all the post Symposium sketches etc! I love the Paul Hogarth books, also David Gentleman, and Ray Evans has a relaxed approach too.