New! This is Doug's Christmas pick.
 
A comprehensive introduction to drawing from observation.
A bubbly little book on how to “observe” with a pencil, pen or brush. This is not a treatise on drawing like most books but a true sketching handbook. This little gem is the first book I have seen that will teach you how to quickly get thumbnail sketches. About as simple as a read as it gets.
 
Everyone who paints should own this book!
 
This book presents practical advice for achieving accuracy, including measuring angles and organizing value shapes. It includes a variety of excellent examples of sketch techniques, including pen and ink, marker, pencil, and wash drawing.
 
On top of linear perspective, you will learn about simplification of a subject into tonal shapes, with fresh ideas that will appeal to painters.
 
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.
 
This little gem oa a book lays out useful methods that anyone can use to see better, think better, draw better and paint better.
 
Details: 192 pages, 8" x 10" softcover with 10 chapters and 419 illustrations.