If you’re interested in the world of urban sketching, you’re in for a good read with Simone Ridyard’s book, Archisketcher. This book serves as a good gateway into the art of sketching architecture and capturing the essence of urban landscapes. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who has dabbled in drawing, this book offers good insights and advice that can help you advance your skills.
Why Urban Sketching?
Urban sketching is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to engage with your surroundings. Recently, I found myself drawn to the idea of capturing the world around me through this method. I realized that when you take the time to sketch, you’re not only documenting a scene but also investing in a deeper understanding of your environment. There’s lots of other reasons you may want to be drawing urban environments, but for me that’s a big part of it.
A Personal Journey into Sketching
For context, I have been doodling and sketching for years, but it was never a consistent practice. Over the last six months, I made the decision to sketch regularly. Like many skills, drawing requires practice to improve. I stumbled upon various images of urban sketches and felt inspired to begin drawing buildings, streets, and scenes from my travels and daily walks.
What Makes Archisketcher Stand Out?
One of the key strengths of Archisketcher is its comprehensive overview of urban sketching techniques. Ridyard provides a solid starting point for those who may not have any prior experience. The book is structured in a way that gradually introduces concepts and techniques, making it accessible for beginners. It doesn’t just focus on one style; instead, it showcases various approaches from different artists.
Diverse Perspectives
What I found particularly fascinating is how the book presents the same location through the eyes of different artists. This variety allows readers to see different interpretations and styles, which is incredibly enriching. You can observe how the same scene can be captured in countless ways, depending on the artist’s medium and perspective.
Tools and Techniques
While Archisketcher does touch on tools and materials, it doesn’t overwhelm you with details about specific brands or types. Instead, it encourages exploration and experimentation. This approach resonated with me, as it allows for a more organic development of your own style. The book provides insights into various mediums, such as pens, pencils, and paints, without dictating what you must use.
Incorporating People in Sketches
Another highlight of the book is its discussion on including people in your sketches. Urban environments are vibrant and full of life, and Ridyard showcases some ways that you can still include the very human aspect of urban life while not making it the focus (if you don’t want to). Learning to sketch people can be difficult, but the book provides strategies that can help ease that process and I’m currently reading another book to help with this as well (Sketching People – review to come).
Advice for Aspiring Sketchers
For anyone looking to start urban sketching, I highly recommend Archisketcher. It’s filled with practical advice and encouragement. The book really feels like a friendly guide that is gently pointing you in the right directions as you explore your options and ideas.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Archisketcher by Simone Ridyard is an good resource for anyone interested in urban sketching. The book covers a wide array of techniques, perspectives, and styles that can inspire both newcomers and seasoned artists alike. It’s a solid addition to your sketching library, and I can’t recommend it enough. Grab a copy from Amazon or see if you local library has an edition if you want to check it out first.