Rating: 
Summary: It worked for me!
Review:
I thought this was a fantastic book on the very neglected subject of fast sketching. It does not teach drawing or try to. I really found it helpful and would buy other books by the author.
Rating: 
Summary: Techniques you used as a kid, but probably forgot!
Review:
All in all, a reasonable book that helps the artist focus on techniques that enable rapid sketching without too much loss of detail. The goal of the book is to focus on outlines, basic shapes, simple shading techniques and other methods that allow for better subject recall when the source for the sketch is no longer available, i.e., back at the studio, days, weeks or even months later. The sketches in the book mostly look like something drawn by a child, but most are successful in conveying the basic "message" the subject was meant to relay, which is what rapid sketching is all about - to capture the essence of a scene before it changes and the "feeling" is lost. The idea is that if the artist can retain this message (and the feeling created by it), in the form of the most basic details rendered on the scene, it will allow more detailed drawings and/or paintings in the studio. The purpose of this book lies in this idea. The techniqes in the book seem rather simplistic and many are really not that innovative, but Fast Sketching Techniques still serves as a good reminder for techniques you used as a child, and just may have forgotten about since!
Rating: 
Summary: An Obnoxious Talentless Author... Not Worth The Money Spent
Review:
I find it incredulous and childlike behavior for the author of a book to bash reviewers of his book for sharing their honest and professional opinion, let alone for him to assume the reviewer has no artistic talent simply because he or she found the material in it overly basic. Oh, and giving himself a "five star" rating to try and improve sales is pathetic. It speaks to a terrible lack of moral character. And, we're supposed to want to learn from him? I think NOT. I too am a professional artist, as is the reviewer this author felt the need to bash. I purchased this book for my teenage daughter, who also found this book too basic to be worth while. The author's techniques are overly simplistic and not the least bit useful for anyone with any sketching experience. So, let me get this straight. If I don't find the author's book helpful or gush over it (its not worth it), I must have no experience or talent as an artist? I have sketched thousands of wildlife scenes and guess what, my sketches don't look like a three year old drew them! I found little, if any, useful techniques in this book, but what I have found here is an obnoxious, rude author with little talent who does not deserve one penny of my money! Do you really want to buy a book from someone who bashes others for sharing their professional opinion? There are far better subjects on the matter, not to mention, those written by artists with some class... something this author apparently lacks.
Rating:
Summary: Unique and helpful!
Review: At last, a book which helps people produce fast, casual sketches of everyday life. Most drawing books feature perfect, professional drawings which took hours to produce -- and make the viewer think, "I could never do that." Not so with this much-needed book, which demystifies sketching, making it a fast, easy pastime which anyone can master. With his step-by-step exercises, Rankin shows how to capture the essence of a subject quickly.
Rating:
Summary: It's not for everybody...
Review: but it helped me a great deal! This is my first review and I am surprised by some of the reviews here; If you are looking for a book to help you draw, Nicolaides' book will help you do that. But if you are looking for strategies to use in sketching quickly, this is the book for you.
The author, Mr. Rankin is to be commended for sharing his thoughts on how to get the essence of what is before us before it disappears. I am especially taken by his use of afterimages in sketching.
Now I am not an expert in this area, but this came along at exactly the best time for me. It looks as if some of the reviewers expected something else from the book; but all in all I found it a facinating read, and am still learning from it.
Rating:
Summary: ^^^ recommended book. Please ignore previous reviewer.
Review: For the previous reviewer : Acailawen Moore from Seattle you obviously can't fool anyone of us. It doesn't take a scientist to figure out that you aren't an artist but just some insecure jealous amateur. I'm sure all experienced artist understands what the author Rankin is trying to teach. His methods are what one would call the fundamentals. You're still a long way from becoming an artist. The author was just trying to make a point. I'm sure anyone without any experience or knowledge in drawing will think Rankins book is too basic and drawings childlike when infact it is one of the most important skills an artist should develop. You have a lot to learn and should start by taking some fundamental drawing courses at your local highschool instead of lashing out at the author. I did purchase Rankins book and have found it extremely useful. Amateur artists often make the mistake of getting down to rendering and drawing details instead of developing their skills in capturing gesture, porportion, form, tone etc. This book is a must for anyone seriously interested in imporving their drawing skills. Let the artist's brilliant work displayed on his site speak for his experience and not some reviews that just lash out on the author.
Rating:
Summary: ^^^ recommended book. Please ignore previous reviewer.
Review: For the previous reviewer : Acailawen Moore from Seattle you obviously can't fool anyone of us. It doesn't take a scientist to figure out that you aren't an artist but just some insecure jealous amateur. I'm sure all experienced artist understands what the author Rankin is trying to teach. His methods are what one would call the fundamentals. You're still a long way from becoming an artist. The author was just trying to make a point. I'm sure anyone without any experience or knowledge in drawing will think Rankins book is too basic and drawings childlike when infact it is one of the most important skills an artist should develop. You have a lot to learn and should start by taking some fundamental drawing courses at your local highschool instead of lashing out at the author. I did purchase Rankins book and have found it extremely useful. Amateur artists often make the mistake of getting down to rendering and drawing details instead of developing their skills in capturing gesture, porportion, form, tone etc. This book is a must for anyone seriously interested in imporving their drawing skills. Let the artist's brilliant work displayed on his site speak for his experience and not some reviews that just lash out on the author.
Rating:
Summary: help for sketchers
Review: I agree this book is full of valuable tips and ideas. Rankin makes the difference between drawing and sketching clear and provides ways to practice the skill of speed sketching. He uses specific instruction and inspirational examples from his own work.
Rating:
Summary: Now I got courage to go out and sketch
Review: I can highly recommend this book not only to get lessons in how to sketch. I also got courage to draw whereever I am after reading his generous advices. I also learned to use a 9 B pen and blending tool instead of coal. My drawing has improved a lot under David Rankins guidance.
Rating:
Summary: Contour Drawing?
Review: I was very disappointed with this book. It didn't have much to add to the idea of quick sketching and was pretty much just another how- to- draw book--a mediocre one at that.
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