Mindful Sketching

by Peggy Dean

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Mindful Sketching is a technique and philosophy guide with prompts for developing and maintaining a drawing habit written by Peggy Dean. Due out 22nd May 2022 from Penguin Random House on their Spruce Books imprint, it's 176 pages and will be available in paperback format.

This is an encouraging and gently written book which will hopefully help readers develop confidence and support a drawing habit. The emphasis is very much on embracing imperfection and serendipity in the process and concentrating on the journey and not necessarily only the product.

The author has an inviting and calm style of writing. She explains some of her own background and reasons for starting with mindfulness in her drawing, and she invites the reader to find the methods and inspirations which work for them. This is much more of a philosophical treatment of the subject rather than straight drawing tutorials. It includes a lot more examining feelings and thoughts than advice on shading and rendering different subjects. The book is full of self-examination and prompts for drawing, but light on actual technique instruction.

The author has also included a number of small gallery illustrations from artists with varied styles for inspiration and reference. This is a very pretty book with a lot of useful information and tips for self examination and some drawing

Four stars.

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