Interesting. It breaks down the artists process and makes it seem easy to someone inexperienced with watercolor like myself.

The Urban Sketching Handbook Color First, Ink Later: A Dynamic Approach to Drawing and Painting on Location by Mike Yoshiaki Daikubara

Intriguing concept for sketching providing two options for quick en plein air urban sketching – one puts color in first while the other puts ink down first. I found the process of both interesting. I believe that this might be easier to see done in a workshop first with the instructor there to help out should questions arise. That said…I might be tempted to get out my pencils, pens, paper and paints to give this a try in the future…probably NOT while out and about where anybody could see me working but…who knows?

The book has many illustrations, lists of tools needed, illustrated examples of both techniques, colors used by the author and is easy to understand. I wouldn’t mind having this book in my library.

Thank you to Net Galley and Quarto Publishing Group-Quarry for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

This sketching guide is awesome! If you are newer to sketching / watercolor like I am, I'd recommend that you take a look at section 3 before trying the projects in section 2. It has more step by step details / tips and gives more information about paints, pens, brushes, etc. At first, I really thought I was in over my head with section 2 that has 5 different demonstrations in it, including one that compares coloring first vs sketching first. The pictures are a little bit small so sometimes it can be hard to follow exactly what is going on if these are some of your first drawings. The beautiful art projects in this handbook make me want to check out some of this author's other books so I can learn more. It's inspiring to see the different projects come together.

I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a thorough guide to watercolour and ink painting on location. The author promotes the idea of colour first, ink later. He explains the five step process in detail. There are four main sections: Essential Techniques; Approach and Overview; Step-by-Step Process, and Technique Tips and Gallery. I think it would suit an intermediate or more advanced artist. Thank you to Mike Yoshiaki Daikubara, Net Galley and Quarto for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Urban Sketching Handbook Color First, Ink Later is a tutorial method guide for sketching on the go. Due out 4th Jan 2022 from Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 112 pages and available in flexibound and ebook formats. This is one of several books and the second book by this author in the Urban Sketching series.

This is a well written, accessible, and useful book for intermediate to advanced artists who are looking for guidance to improve their technique. The book begins with a very short introduction. Tools and specific methods and use of color and negative space aren't covered (but this information is easily accessible with the briefest online search). Instead, the page content is densely filled with good 'bite sized' tips which cover dynamic sketching by coloring basic shapes first, and filling in detail work and inking later.

The author's entire process is well documented with photo and drawn illustrations. Basic techniques are briefly covered, followed by more specific in-depth overviews, and lesson tutorials of step-by-step processes. The book also contains a useful tutorial and tips collection as well as a gallery of works for inspiration and practice.

Five stars. Definitely a worthwhile addition to the artist's reference library.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.