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!

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.

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.