Rating: 
Summary: Techniques that work
Review: If you're hesitating over this book because of the negative reviews, let me just say that I did too, and I'm so glad that I went ahead and ordered it. It's not a drawing book for beginners but a very well-explained approach to rapid sketching. The techniques are counter-intuitive and so take a little time to learn, but the results are worth the trouble. I find that it's helping my drawing in geneneral, because it teaches you to loosen up and simplify. I really don't understand some of the reviews here, the drawings are nothing like children's drawings; they're simple but the lines are in the right place! If you want to learn how to get your impressions down on paper quickly, don't hesitate to buy this book.
Rating: 
Summary: believe me do not buy it
Review: It's amazing the effort of the author to envolve us, and make us believe that it serves for something....if you buy it, you will lost a lot of time and money giving it back to the seller. I do not konw how amazon dares to show this product, it shows nothing about sketching. Try another, there is a lot, please: Cathy Ann Johnson, Stanley Maltzman and others.
Rating:
Summary: Comments to reviews by author of Fast Sketching Techniques
Review: Just thought I'd stop by and read some of the reviews of my Fast Sketching Book. And I was interested to see the comments some "reviewers" wrote regarding how "The sketches in the book mostly look like something drawn by a child"... and continues... "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! " I wish to take strong exception to these comments! First of all I have been drawing since I was in kindergarden, and it took many years after artschool for me to evolve this technique. This reviewer cannot be someone who in fact has "ever" tried to draw from unposed life. My technique is simplistic... That's the whole idea of Sketching vrs. Drawing. And in the first section of the book I show "drawings" that took 40 hours.. and "sketches" that took a minute or two. To use the term "simplistic" shows the level of inexperience this person has. To capture any live subject in moments requires a different way of seeing, evaluating, and actually sketching the subject. I actually train experienced artists all over the country in this technique. And if you think this is so easy, childlike, and simplistic... take a pencil and go to your local mall or zoo and show me a sketch that you've done of "any" live subject that is unposed. In addition... don't just show me a "contour" drawing... instead show me the lightsource, surface volume, and mood of the subject. Then do this "drawing" in 60 seconds or less! That's what this technique was designed to do, and it works beautifully... I also train children in these sketching techniques and it is not something natural to any child I've ever worked with. "Sketching" is as different from "Drawing" as playing the Flute is to the Tuba. They're both wind instruments... but being able to play the tuba does not mean you can play the flute. To be able to sketch requires an essential ability to draw. But just because you can draw... does not mean you can sketch! Sketching is what we do in seconds or a couple minutes. I've done drawings that took 40-60 hours! My whole effort is to encourage talented artists who can "draw" from photographic reference or posed motionless subjects to give this technique a try in order to develop the additional skill to "sketch" from live unposed subjects.
• If you have questions regarding this technique after you've worked with the book/technique you can email me at: ddrankin@sbcglobal.net or visit my website at... natureartists.com/rankind.htm
Rating:
Summary: Comments to reviews by author of Fast Sketching Techniques
Review: Just thought I'd stop by and read some of the reviews of my Fast Sketching Book. And I was interested to see the comments some "reviewers" wrote regarding how "The sketches in the book mostly look like something drawn by a child"... and continues... "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! " I wish to take strong exception to these comments! First of all I have been drawing since I was in kindergarden, and it took many years after artschool for me to evolve this technique. This reviewer cannot be someone who in fact has "ever" tried to draw from unposed life. My technique is simplistic... That's the whole idea of Sketching vrs. Drawing. And in the first section of the book I show "drawings" that took 40 hours.. and "sketches" that took a minute or two. To use the term "simplistic" shows the level of inexperience this person has. To capture any live subject in moments requires a different way of seeing, evaluating, and actually sketching the subject. I actually train experienced artists all over the country in this technique. And if you think this is so easy, childlike, and simplistic... take a pencil and go to your local mall or zoo and show me a sketch that you've done of "any" live subject that is unposed. In addition... don't just show me a "contour" drawing... instead show me the lightsource, surface volume, and mood of the subject. Then do this "drawing" in 60 seconds or less! That's what this technique was designed to do, and it works beautifully... I also train children in these sketching techniques and it is not something natural to any child I've ever worked with. "Sketching" is as different from "Drawing" as playing the Flute is to the Tuba. They're both wind instruments... but being able to play the tuba does not mean you can play the flute. To be able to sketch requires an essential ability to draw. But just because you can draw... does not mean you can sketch! Sketching is what we do in seconds or a couple minutes. I've done drawings that took 40-60 hours! My whole effort is to encourage talented artists who can "draw" from photographic reference or posed motionless subjects to give this technique a try in order to develop the additional skill to "sketch" from live unposed subjects.
• If you have questions regarding this technique after you've worked with the book/technique you can email me at: ddrankin@sbcglobal.net or visit my website at... natureartists.com/rankind.htm
Rating: 
Summary: Nice technique
Review: Sketching and capturing the essence of a subject in just a few minutes is very difficult although very rewarding. Give it a try sometime and time yourself.
Picked up this book because I carry a pocket sketchbook with me...it's amazing how much more you remember on a vacation, having a cup of coffee in a unique shop or sitting next to the trevy fountain by looking at your sketchbook, rather than photos (I can even remember the smells in the air!). I think that by sketching you become more focused on the environment and subject more.
Anyways, it was taking me more than 10 minutes do a quick sketch...so I picked up this book to get quicker. The technique used in the book is great and I appreciate the author taking the time out to share his knowledge that took him years to learn.
And, if you're looking for a book on why to sketch in the first place (although this book does give you reasons), try The Zen of Seeing. Zen gives you the inspiration and Fast Sketching Techniques actually gives you the "technique" to sketch (it's in the title). If you read these two books, you're on the way to really opening your eyes. Hope this helps...have fun!
PS. Although I understand...having the author review his own book is a little creepy. Don't worry so much. If your book is good the people who "get-it" it will defend it.
Rating:
Summary: Written well Easy To FOLLOW!!
Review: This book was well wriiten,informative. Simple to follow the steps.You have to practice what the author recommends!To get out anything from the book.PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!!
Rating:
Summary: Good techniques that work
Review: This is a book of techniques to improve your sketching speed, not your drawing ability. Profusely illustrated with examples from the authors own sketchbooks, this book is above average; the techniques work and are presented logically.The book starts with a description of basic concepts, techniques and tools. Then, separate chapters for sketching landscapes, people and animals are presented. Each chapter includes exercises for the reader as well as numerous tips and hints. Those who are looking for a book to improve the quality of their sketching will be disappointed. This book is about speed -- capturing the essentials of your subject in the shortest amount of time. It is expected that the reader will be able to use their sketches (along with reference photographs) as the basis for later, finished works.
Rating:
Summary: Drawing vs. sketching
Review: With the exception of the old courtroom sketch artists, rarely do you see someone standing or sitting with just a pad and a few pencils trying for a likeness of something. Most people reach in their pocket, pull out an autofocus 35mm camera and snap a picture. Anyone can sketch with some degree of success. David Rankin shows you his techniques which rely on speed, basic shapes and dramatic shading. Whether your subject is a landmark building, your seven year old neice, or a peacock at the local zoo, this book will show you easily how to capture the image in a few brief strokes. The rewards are endless. If you are an accomplished artist, the sketches will be invaluable to you back in the studio for reference in creating full blown art pieces. If you are just looking for a way to record scenes for your own edification, you will have some dramatic fast renderings that reflect a mood, something a camera simply can not do. I love this book.
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