My book: 5-Minute Sketching Architecture

September 1, 2016 | 37 Comments

5-Min-Sketching-Architecture-cover-SQ
Great news – My book is now available!

Amazon.com

 

The book is called Five Minute Sketching: Architecture and contains many tips for sketching buildings quickly. Here is the cover to the UK edition.


I love sketching architecture and I love sketching fast!

In this book I share ways of understanding buildings that will enable you to sketch fast. Buildings can be complex but with a few strategies in place you can record the most important features on your page quickly.

Book-Sample-pages
Can architecture be sketched in five minutes? Yes, it can, but it will mean some limitations. You will have to focus your story on the most essential part, concentrate on big shapes or just zoom into a small detail, limit the tools you use and let go of high expectations for accuracy.

Not every sketch in this book was completed in five minutes, but they were all sketched quickly and within the first five minutes the essence of the sketch was established on the page. So by focusing on one aspect or technique, the goal is to ‘nail it’ by the five minute mark.

In this book you learn the essential skills for understanding buildings and fast sketching, and then how to apply these to different types of buildings. You will also learn ways of using line and colour that will speed up your sketching and then how to use different tools to their best advantage.

This book is designed to get you out sketching architecture – whatever your level of experience – to take risks and have fun!

Book-Sample-pages2

Here are two sample pages from the Amazon page.


I am also very pleased that the book includes sketches by this amazing group of artists:

Asnee Tasna | Carol Hsiung | Daniel J Green | Delphine Priollaud-Stoclet | Inma Serrano | Isabell Seidell
James Richards | Luis E Aparicio | Luis Ruiz | Lynne Chapman | Marc Taro Holmes | Matthew Brehm
Murray Dewhurst | Peter Andrews | Peter Rush | Rene Fijten | Richard Alomar
Rob Sketcherman | Suhita Shirodkar | Tiago Cruz | Virginia Hein


 

My-book-US-edition

The US publisher for the book has chosen a sketch of Notre Dame by Luis Ruiz to go on the cover. This stunning image is one of the more elaborate sketches in the book but is based on a 5 minute concept. So even if you want to work slower there are plenty ideas in this book to make your architecture sketches stronger.

 


 

37 Comments

  • Good for you, Liz! Looks like a treasure…of course.

  • Wonderful. Congratulations. Pre-ordered and counting the weeks.

  • Monique says:

    Just about to pre-order..I just don’t know if I could accomplish a bulding in 1 hr;)
    Landscapes and buildings seem to not cohabit w/ my brain and what it sees with my eyes..

  • Elsie Hickey-Wilson says:

    WooooHoooo! Just went to Amazon and pre-ordered it! Congratulations and thank you!

  • It looks wonderful, Liz!!! I know it will be a huge, HUGE hit!!!
    xoxox
    S

  • Virginia Hein says:

    Great news, Liz! Can hardly wait to see it! I agree with Stephanie–this will be a BIG success!

  • Patricia Hopwood-Wade says:

    I’ve ordered your book. I’m so excited to receive it and start your online course. I’ve enrolled. I’m very, very new to urban sketching so I’m going out into the elements and practicing. Today, will be my third time. I’m really enjoying it and surprised at how much enjoyment it gives me. Who would have thought!?!

  • Allison Arsiknoudas says:

    Hi Liz,

    I’m also an architect and I love what you do.
    I’m ordering your book right this minute. Keep up the great work. 🙂

  • Tara says:

    Hi Liz. Does it have a kindle version? Or will it in the future?

  • Veg says:

    Pre-ordered as soon as I could! It’s going to be great for you, oh, and me too!!

  • Cathy Dwyer says:

    Hi Liz. Congratulations! I’ve pre-ordered and can’t to get it!!!

  • Jeanette Gillings says:

    Congratulations Liz! I’ve pre-ordered the book. I am sure this will be a great compliment to your Buildings course which I’m looking forward to starting next week!

  • Jessie Chapman says:

    Ordered. Can’t wait to see it!

  • Looks fantastic. Pre-ordered!!

  • Congratulations Liz! Already pre-ordered!

  • Srikala says:

    Liz, I’m from Wollongong NSW. Can we order locally or from your website?

  • Hi Liz,
    I’m really happy for you and excited about this book! Just wondered if you have an affiliate link to Amazon.ca so I can order it from there rather than the US site?

    Cheers!
    Ramblings from Canada

  • Tina says:

    Will it be available in Australia? If so, where and when? Thanks and congratulations!

    • Liz Steel says:

      I dont know exactly Tina, but once it is released in the UK and USA it will make it to Australia – to most book stores. You will also be able to order it in.

  • Paul Savoie says:

    HI Liz, FYI, I received your book yesterday in Ontario, Canada. I’m already half way through it. Tonnes of great practical tips for fast, or slower, architectural sketching on location. Nicely done and thank you!

  • Claudia says:

    Seems that your book is a bestseller. Congratulations! I wanted to order it yesterday but both editions are out of stock on thalia.at and amazon.de.

  • LauraLupe says:

    Hi Liz – I received your book yesterday, Indiana, USA, but I wasn’t able to pick it up till this morning. I knew it was here and I couldn’t wait for this morning. I love it!! I’m in your SketchingNow Buildings course and it’s wonderful to have this as well. When Buildings course is finished I will be working on Foundations course which I didn’t take before – I know I should’ve had that first – but I really wanted to take a live class with you. I ended up purchasing the Foundations course in our second lesson. (Some people – me – just have to learn the hard way.) But now I realize I should’ve had that course first. I think it really would’ve helped me understand what we are doing much better. (I confess, I am new to drawing – 9 months old)
    I am also loving this newsletter. Thanks for everything Liz!!

  • John Flames says:

    I’ve just received the book. It looks great! Thanks!

  • Ludivine GILBERT says:

    Hello Liz
    I look for to buy your first book but i don’t find?
    Ludivine

  • Joanne Garfoot says:

    Hi Liz…….I’ve just ordered it on next day delivery…….woohoo! I live in the most amazing place in South Devon, England as well a being right on the coast we have a beautiful array of buildings from thatched cottages and quaint little alleyways/lanes to grand old Tudor (and older) buildings and a glorious gothic Cathedral …….I am hoping your book will give me the confidence to get out and start sketching them! I have always shied away from tackling them due the complexity but your book will hopefully help me to understand how to simplify what I see before me and capture the essence of the buildings…….fingers crossed! I love your blog with a passion and wait eagerly for every new post ….it really inspires me to just get out and ‘do it’…….keep up the great work ????????????

  • Linda Chapman says:

    This book is such a gem. You are a very gifted teacher and amazing artist! I can’t even believe how much I learned just reading this book. I love it so much, I carry it around with me so if I have a bit of time here or there, I can revel in it. Thank you so much for sharing you wisdom and style for all of us to enjoy.

  • Wendy says:

    Loving this book! Small size format and lightweight (7×9″) so travel friendly, yet quality isn’t compromised. Printing and paper quality is superb. Now to the magic. The 5-step technique approach is brilliant… clear and concise with a plethora of example sketches to illustrate. I especially appreciate that a quarter of the book wasn’t wasted on detailing supplies (usually a big bug-bear for me with art books). Supplies are left to your own preference. Chapters are; How to See, Quick on the Draw, Time-saving Techniques, and Speedy Supplies. The “speedy supplies” sections toward the end of the book has great tips for specific mediums used for limited time or quick sketches, or simply used as supplementary tools, which I find invaluable being new to urban sketching and testing out what works for my emerging style. I keep dipping in an out of this book, rereading to implant tips in my subconscious. Wonderful book… It has certainly inspired me! Thank you, Liz.

  • Cynthia Lynn Salaski says:

    I bought this book last year and I love it. Since my focus is on sketching houses and buildings, this was a must-have. Thank you, Liz!

Leave a Reply