Sketching for the Absolute Beginner

Peter Cronin Although Peter Cronin starts from basics and includes plenty of demonstrations and explanations, this is one of the most complete surveys of drawing materials and practice I have seen. In many ways, it is the sheer clarity of the approach that makes the book so attractive. Within a deceptively simple exterior, there lies a wealth of practical, technical and creative information.

Materials include pencil, charcoal and ink as well as pen and wash and a dip into mixed media. Subjects range from landscapes and buildings to people, animals, boats and harbours. Peter also takes in rain, mist and sunshine as well as composition, hatching, recession and perspective in concise, simple sections that are easy to absorb. This is very much an overview, but all the better for that, as it never dwells too long on any area and carries the reader along, allowing them to work at a sensible pace.

Search Press £12.99, 144 pages (P/B) ISBN 9781782218746