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Book Review: Sketching from Square One to Trafalgar Square

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RKFoMo3rS5fsYM10wHqBR7LZjCTmu63rvW57AxI4LNQhBAnN5SNoQxc7Ld0wPj3M6QIYqRxwERXcbLPgThJ-W7uqDENR9gfhN6e71Q0P3Qltvy_-tEaR7gxC7Li7vWsEkZWa0YNJM7F_/s1600/cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1RKFoMo3rS5fsYM10wHqBR7LZjCTmu63rvW57AxI4LNQhBAnN5SNoQxc7Ld0wPj3M6QIYqRxwERXcbLPgThJ-W7uqDENR9gfhN6e71Q0P3Qltvy_-tEaR7gxC7Li7vWsEkZWa0YNJM7F_/s1600/cover.png" width="400" /></a><br />Richard Scott's new book, "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615855342/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615855342&linkCode=as2&tag=gurnjour-20&linkId=6SOHDGJN5OVZTHCK">Sketching - from Square One to Trafalgar Square</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gurnjour-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615855342" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />" is a comprehensive introduction to drawing from observation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintLLe-XayN3WW4yy1jyeuNAIhiyyHdN3BVkRl5Ww-MxkEUT1AXzC4qBSqHurs_xQhTnoD2eVqf3_T2MUTa-6n5y1lyeirAdoBoJfRgWl85T5I6SegBiHwCvrJEzZIS3UAApsZy5Ty5d1F/s1600/about_5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintLLe-XayN3WW4yy1jyeuNAIhiyyHdN3BVkRl5Ww-MxkEUT1AXzC4qBSqHurs_xQhTnoD2eVqf3_T2MUTa-6n5y1lyeirAdoBoJfRgWl85T5I6SegBiHwCvrJEzZIS3UAApsZy5Ty5d1F/s1600/about_5.png" width="400" /></a><br />The book presents practical advice for achieving accuracy, including measuring angles and organizing value shapes. One tip is that you can size up an appropriate cone of vision by holding your arms out at the width of your shoulders in front of you.<br /><br />Scott includes a variety of excellent examples of sketch techniques, including pen and ink, marker, pencil, and wash drawing, all in black and white.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDmP7k-cs1AvXSP-vxQS6-TEjnMB2XxaL1x_WMenB_QzJXEq6L3aLZN8NFuFgBTw5xZK49UKlALd_pC958u0-Wk2ZZPciRbDy_lFCDEH4DAxuXprNtPY3WXBIyUCZhdo3YaIcXtSMca-N/s1600/aboutrs_3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDmP7k-cs1AvXSP-vxQS6-TEjnMB2XxaL1x_WMenB_QzJXEq6L3aLZN8NFuFgBTw5xZK49UKlALd_pC958u0-Wk2ZZPciRbDy_lFCDEH4DAxuXprNtPY3WXBIyUCZhdo3YaIcXtSMca-N/s1600/aboutrs_3.png" width="400" /></a><br />He discusses not only linear perspective, but also the simplification of a subject into tonal shapes, with fresh ideas that will appeal to painters, too. He acknowledges not only objective features of the scene, but also subjective aspects of visual perception, such as how certain edges go in and out of focus when you squint.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5d3UsS_7AO7HSSOzn698uCue1c0wppoK6pftrmV4CuAgUgvbpHU9hngvwFILXv8LBYDcqL-pRvtzC-EpgEBIwup7_ICTrngPTNVG3cu6JvJaQvGrQQoHfpDCZy8tRENFup-D-Bs6mX6Xy/s1600/plane.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5d3UsS_7AO7HSSOzn698uCue1c0wppoK6pftrmV4CuAgUgvbpHU9hngvwFILXv8LBYDcqL-pRvtzC-EpgEBIwup7_ICTrngPTNVG3cu6JvJaQvGrQQoHfpDCZy8tRENFup-D-Bs6mX6Xy/s1600/plane.png" width="400" /></a><br />Scott's background is in architectural rendering, so he approaches subjects from the built environment with particular authority.<br /><br />Although his approach is clear and analytical, it's not just technical. He has an artist's eye throughout. One of the inspiring qualities of the book is the focus on conveying feeling, and the emphasis on digging into why a subject appeals to you in the first place and how to play up that emotional quality.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76k4VMYaDREabVflnvi2MF9PNB-oPTIX9Pcj-edyMdiMYy4iI3yR5Htv96QgFywBB7FkyQn8b12HWhRgoikQngu5sMYGAN4yAniETMDCk9CJOc7aEV_RmCOsfreYBO4FRK_WJ-MKh3cVj/s1600/tips_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76k4VMYaDREabVflnvi2MF9PNB-oPTIX9Pcj-edyMdiMYy4iI3yR5Htv96QgFywBB7FkyQn8b12HWhRgoikQngu5sMYGAN4yAniETMDCk9CJOc7aEV_RmCOsfreYBO4FRK_WJ-MKh3cVj/s1600/tips_1.png" width="400" /></a><br />The book lays out useful methods that anyone can use to see better, think better, and draw better. The result is a practical drawing manual that is a worthy successor of classic sketching books by Betty Edwards and Arthur Guptill, one that will improve the drawing skills of the beginner and master sketcher alike.<br />-----<br />Details: 192 pages, 8" x 10" (horizontal format), softcover (with covers that are a bit too thin, unfortunately). The book is organized into three parts, with 10 chapters and 419 illustrations. It is priced at $29.95.-----<br />Available on Amazon: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615855342/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0615855342&linkCode=as2&tag=gurnjour-20&linkId=6SOHDGJN5OVZTHCK">Sketching - from Square One to Trafalgar Square</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gurnjour-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0615855342" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />Official website: <a href="http://www.sketchingfromsquareone.com/index.html">Sketching from Square One</a>

Book Review: Sketching from Square One to Trafalgar Square

Richard Scott's new book, " Sketching - from Square One to Trafalgar Square " is a comprehensive introduction to drawing from ...

05:00

Product Review: Travel Brush Set

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pw2120FwIpdIfI1QDPxAOd5l_ZqE7wUE8MJ39bn72OWXjP0qVrUZviiP8gZYu-3S0eHksd_espYEJ2u_LVmHyXrNDGvR0U2K-4Z95uvJAlHn3YoWkr-OsVs-kbuDdCyhKNgPZKtCS8YM/s1600/travel+brush.2.vsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pw2120FwIpdIfI1QDPxAOd5l_ZqE7wUE8MJ39bn72OWXjP0qVrUZviiP8gZYu-3S0eHksd_espYEJ2u_LVmHyXrNDGvR0U2K-4Z95uvJAlHn3YoWkr-OsVs-kbuDdCyhKNgPZKtCS8YM/s1600/travel+brush.2.vsm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Yesterday I did a painting using the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FN6PT0W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FN6PT0W&linkCode=as2&tag=gurnjour-20&linkId=OKONME2N4IA6O6WH">Richeson Travel Brush Set</a>, a collection of short handled brushes that come in their own stiff protective case.<br /><br />The case opens to display the brushes while you're working. Each brush tucks into its own elastic holding strap. I like to drape the case over the left page of the sketchbook while I'm working. Turned inside out, the case can also set up on the ground like the letter A, with the cord holding it open at the desired angle. When it's closed up in travel mode, a magnet clasp secures it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW_HY0PIPqc4ZJQALrbBzoIzpQLrb0sEoAgkXFewCgHvJcpxp4E__mNuhZECCYOVJKZYq_U5kkAyYMk1TBSfC_Pe6URh_xYHenzCtp02i-OWd5PJrClSaL_jVzsbyI8TTlLlsi-a7hVTU/s1600/Liquor+Sign.sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRW_HY0PIPqc4ZJQALrbBzoIzpQLrb0sEoAgkXFewCgHvJcpxp4E__mNuhZECCYOVJKZYq_U5kkAyYMk1TBSfC_Pe6URh_xYHenzCtp02i-OWd5PJrClSaL_jVzsbyI8TTlLlsi-a7hVTU/s1600/Liquor+Sign.sm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Here's the painting I did with those brushes, using gouache (opaque watercolor). I thoroughly documented the making of the painting on video, and it will be one segment of the next DVD/download called "Gouache in the Wild."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigORKsuXL5v5MCnmrk6tU78kDrpUL70dAKos130Fw4Xjt-yq2YhQ1C7-GxSZ-nbdW8RyPkm3sjZ-ztgJaFXvJ5rv-Rn3k8tsrw0zjCj6q7EQwChyAimIdlT-ffnjp5fdeLmbiANuQfFzpe/s1600/Liquor+Sign.det.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigORKsuXL5v5MCnmrk6tU78kDrpUL70dAKos130Fw4Xjt-yq2YhQ1C7-GxSZ-nbdW8RyPkm3sjZ-ztgJaFXvJ5rv-Rn3k8tsrw0zjCj6q7EQwChyAimIdlT-ffnjp5fdeLmbiANuQfFzpe/s1600/Liquor+Sign.det.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />The brush set includes four rounds (sizes 2, 4, 6, and 8) and three flats (sizes 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4"). The combination of brush sizes gave me everything I needed, even for the fine details of the neon supports and wires. The close-up detail above is about an inch and a half square.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge1iN-tSuZwHMLzBEXR2AHWZpaG8dycIFAPTOayqDtdZqN3OqaPKWK-NgLFOiK5ntORFO53XDV0K1IqYT5CpfFqzBVRAsykWNL3dGNiEi7fhNRKwTBWCCcYYSDf-plfu9fypk0XIAaE0j/s1600/Richeson+Brushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgge1iN-tSuZwHMLzBEXR2AHWZpaG8dycIFAPTOayqDtdZqN3OqaPKWK-NgLFOiK5ntORFO53XDV0K1IqYT5CpfFqzBVRAsykWNL3dGNiEi7fhNRKwTBWCCcYYSDf-plfu9fypk0XIAaE0j/s1600/Richeson+Brushes.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>I have used the brushes for several paintings now, and I've tried them with watercolor, gouache, and casein.<br /><br />They're are all made of synthetic fibers, which is what you want for casein especially (the ammonia in casein is hard on brushes). The flats don't hold as much liquid as an equivalently sized sable brush. These are more chisels than mops. They have just the right amount of spring, and so far, they have held their points and edges.<br /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">You can get the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FN6PT0W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FN6PT0W&linkCode=as2&tag=gurnjour-20&linkId=OKONME2N4IA6O6WH" style="text-align: center;">Richeson Travel Brush Set</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=gurnjour-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00FN6PT0W" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; text-align: center;" width="1" /><span style="text-align: center;"> from a <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=richeson+travel+brush+set&oq=richeson+travel+brush+set&aqs=chrome..69i57j0j69i60.4815j0j4&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8">variety of art suppliers</a>, including Daniel Smith, Cheap Joe's, and Dick Blick. </span><br /><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">The set of seven brushes, complete with their case, retail for $79.95, but </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FN6PT0W/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00FN6PT0W&linkCode=as2&tag=gurnjour-20&linkId=OKONME2N4IA6O6WH" style="text-align: center;">on Amazon</a><span style="text-align: center;"> the set is discounted to $38, which is an amazing deal. </span><br /><div><br /></div>

Product Review: Travel Brush Set

Yesterday I did a painting using the Richeson Travel Brush Set , a collection of short handled brushes that come in their own stiff protect...