Elevate Your Sketching Skills with THIS Book

[@SchaeferArt]

Which book would you like to see me read and review next? The Urban Sketcher: amzn.to/44oDHIH

[@Giraffesonparade]

I just got the book after this video. I’ve been trying to dip my toe into sketching and felt so out of my element but this book is already a big help. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@SchaeferArt]

No problem, glad it is helpful for sure :) It was helpful for me too a few years back, so I figured why not share it with everyone. Have fun!

[@Nancy-tr5fi]

You have a lovely voice. A gift, lots of people don't know if they have a soothing voice. You do, you know.

[@SchaeferArt]

Haha much appreciated! I'll keep using it, if that's the case.

[@createwithwatercolor]

Great book review Schaefer. Bought this book several years ago and it helped me to take a first step on my art journey. Thanks

[@SchaeferArt]

Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@toobad41]

You nailed this book, the concepts presented accurately as well. Great job. I’ve had this book in my collection for almost 10 years and refer to it often. This book in my opinion is priceless. 😊

[@SchaeferArt]

Much appreciated! :) Did my best. I really enjoy this book. One of my favorites for sure.

[@CelesteLunaRael]

Thank you!! I think I've learned something about urban sketching before but uhhhh wasn't following through. Really appreciate this little breakdown and your little sketch pieces 💕💕

[@SchaeferArt]

You are so welcome!

[@travisabe-thomas4129]

I purchased the book after this video...I'm very excited about this next part in my journey. Thank you for highlighting this!

[@SchaeferArt]

That's awesome, it's a great book. Hope you'll enjoy it and get inspired to create more.

[@SuhasEluri]

Great video and thanks so much

[@SchaeferArt]

Thank you, and no problem :)

[@Flatshader]

Just found you, and I think I will stick around…. I sketch on fabric then color with watercolor and gac900. Then sketch with thread!

[@SchaeferArt]

Wow that's quite different! Thanks for tuning in. Hope the art goes well.

[@griphere]

How do you deal with passers by looking at your drawing/ sketch? Do you welcome it? I’d be embarrassed.

[@sourgreendolly7685]

Personally, I'm a fan of pretending I don't notice. It makes me very anxious but as long as they aren't saying anything or in the way they're realistically just curious. Doesn't cure the anxiety but, along with my other coping skills, it does quiet it down enough. And the anxiety goes down with exposure- the more you do it, the less embarrassment you feel. If you think about it, it's not common to see someone just out in the world, engaging in their passions like that. Who knows? You might even plant a seed for them to do the same!

[@SchaeferArt]

I don't mind. Once you do it enough, you don't even care about people around you. I get completely focused on the painting and my subject, I don't even see anyone unless they start a conversation with me. Most people are actually super nice. Even if you're in the middle of the painting and it looks like garbage, people will compliment you and say it looks great haha. All the fear and doubts are just in our head. Most people don't even really care about what you're doing and the ones who do are actually curious and interested and like to see it.

[@charelzJ]

I treat it like a meditation. I focus primarily on my subject, and my project. If someone asks to see it. I'll let them know I'm not finished yet but here you go.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

Most people will slow down to get a quick look and then move on. Some will stop and watch as you sketch and/o paint but never say a word. Some will offer a comment or two, usually complimentary, and then move on. Once in a while someone will actually start a conversation, ask questions, even give a critique or two, but I have yet to have anyone give an adverse comment or remark. People for the most part are good to have around. Once I even had a young man open up his backpack, sit down a few feet away and start sketching the same thing I was sketching. We compare sketches and commented on each other’s work. That was fun.

[@brucegordon5312]

Sometimes people seeing you drawing in public will ask to buy your sketch or ask you to draw their house, boat, or whatever

[@daisy-cm2tf]

watching your video after a long time and every time it's just awesome and informative

[@SchaeferArt]

Awesome :)

[@cindylong2782]

I am going to purchase this book based on this review!

[@SchaeferArt]

Hope you'll enjoy it :)

[@steveelkins52]

Good review; that book was published in 2014 and is still holding its retail price, which says all you need to know if its any good! I got it from my local library (here in the UK you request a book, if its in their catalogue) . i LOVE the concept of quantity over quality, and scribbling a first sketch.

[@SchaeferArt]

Thanks for your thoughts, and so true! Well said.

[@44westwind]

Have you done a video on how you set up to paint outdoors ? What’s the simplest set up you can use in location??? Thx!

[@SchaeferArt]

I did but it's from many years ago. Still okay information but not the best video haha, I need to make a better one and with a few more options that I know of now. This is sort of what I still use to this day, very simple but not for everyone: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2iQc6Oterl3p9k

[@voliabrandaolaveneremachad7849]

Great review and tips! Thanks!

[@SchaeferArt]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@ihikefar]

Those Urban Sketchers are a cult. lol. I took an urban sketch class and the teacher required we use pen. He said students using pencil have a tendency to want to spend time correcting. So, the continuous line stuff with pen was a way to break your comfort zone and just get something on paper. I enjoyed that perspective.

[@Groinattack1]

Yeah I heard that somewhere too and have only ever drawn in pen since I started drawing a year ago. It sure does help you to get over trying to make everything 'perfect' haha

[@SchaeferArt]

Haha for sure. Sounds like useful info though definitely. Thanks for sharing, I like that idea and came to the same conclusion recently.

[@SchaeferArt]

@@Groinattack1 That's awesome, I feel that so many others should try that.

[@mageetu]

Good one for me. I appreciate your suggestions.

[@SchaeferArt]

More to come, thanks for watching :)

[@SteveHartline]

You should follow up on this video with one of your own recommendations on the shortcomings you found! How do YOU set up, what do you pack, etc. Good stuff!

[@SchaeferArt]

That's a really great point, thanks for the suggestion. I'll see what I can come up with.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Hi Schaefer...thanks for this ...did you ever try Gouache...i feel with your style...gouache would be great

[@SchaeferArt]

I've tried Gouache a few times and I do like but I just don't enjoy how the paint dries on the palette and it's difficult to reuse it, etc. I like it more for in the studio.

[@charelzJ]

Thanks for this man I'll check ot out it might come in helpful Antarctica.

[@SchaeferArt]

Definitely will I'm sure, especially the pencil and pen sections. Hope it goes in Antarctica. What a cool trip :)

[@steveelkins52]

For your consideration.. from sketch to watercolour painting by Wendy jelbert

[@SchaeferArt]

Thank you, perfect!

[@staceydelbucchia2576]

Awesome thank you❤😊

[@SchaeferArt]

No problem :)

[@devanysolanki6816]

I’d like to know your thoughts on Sketching Techniques for Artists by Alex Hillkurtz as well as Phil Dean’s books: Urban Drawing and Urban Watercolour. Great vid as always 😊

[@SchaeferArt]

Great suggestions! Thank you for those. I will definitely check those out and see what I can do. I'm trying to aim for 1 book review a month or so, we'll see if I can stick with that haha. Already have a bunch of videos planned and edited, so might be a little while before these come out.

[@devanysolanki6816]

@@SchaeferArt thanks so much!

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

If i had 30 minutes would you still use watercolour or other opaque media? Because for me lot of time goes in planning thinking in watercolour

[@SchaeferArt]

Most of my watercolor sketches outside take less than 30 minutes, depends on the temperature outside and complexity of subject. Depends on what you like to do as well or as you said - planning takes a while for you. So I say do what suits you best. Try a few different ones and see what works best. I like watercolor the most.

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

I saw your watercolour its quite patchy...is it because you dont follow traditional style of washes from top to bottom?

[@SchaeferArt]

Some of them are patchy, it really depends on the situation at that moment outside. Sometimes I use a more traditional method. Other times, I have to be super quick because of light, etc, and just have to paint what I can. But yeah, it all depends on how I'm feeling at that time.

[@jdkga]

Thanks for the review and recommendation, I will check this book out. I've learned so much just watching @pheaston here on KZbin. It's amazing how a really rough pencil sketch can turn into a great finished piece if you just trust the process. Getting past the obsession with details and quality takes some work.

[@SchaeferArt]

Hope you enjoy it, it's one of my favorites :) That's so true, good point. Most just never push through and finish it.