Sketching Outdoors

Introduction 6
What do I need? 16
The importance of a sketchbook 34
Where should I go nearby? 44
Where should I go further afield? 60
What time of day? 70
What time of year? 80
Developing the artist’s eye 88
What to sketch 96
What to include and exclude 100
Countryside panorama in watercolour 108
Coastal scene in pen and ink 114
Village scene in gouache 120
Townscape in line and wash 126
Watercolour pencil woodland 134
Sketching indoors 140
Afterword 142
Index 144

About Barry Herniman

Barry Herniman is a full-time artist who has been painting landscapes and seascapes for many years, both in the studio and en plein air. Like his paintings, Barry is full of colour and life, and his enthusiasm for sketching outside is contagious! He enjoys travelling, both at home and abroad, tutoring workshops and demonstrating to art clubs and societies, and has had exhibitions in England, Canada and the US. Barry is a regular contributor to The Artist magazine. He lives in Ross-on-Wye with his wife and five cats and is a self-taught mandolin player.

Visit his website at barryherniman.com

Crafts Beautiful, March 2023

Fun, friendly and practical, Sketching Outdoors is jam-packed with invaluable tips and stunning projects, as well as answers to just about any question you may have about creating art on the go.

What comes across through each page is Barry's infectious love of the practice. He encourages you to savour your surroundings, be aware of your senses, and try to really capture each moment. In this artistic endeavour enjoyment is key shake off peer pressure and your own expectation to fully experience the awe-inspiring art of sketching outdoors.

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Customer Review

Sketching Outdoors by Barry Herniman, is much more comprehensive than I originally thought. It really is packed with hints and tips on how to sketch outdoors for beginner right through to more experienced artists.

I particularly liked the useful tips on how to minimise detail in a sketch and what to include; something I've always found challenging. I love the idea that there are five diverse examples to follow in various mediums. I used these as a practical exercise and learnt many new skills, including considering different aspects to paint of an identical place, reading the scene and learning to go 'straight in with the brush'.

As usual Search Press came up trumps with beautifully coloured pictures on every page with good quality paper and binding.

Finally I loved the message throughout that painting should be enjoyable!

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Customer Review

A beautifully illustrated book which I know is going to be a valuable reference source. The layout is very attractive with very clear photos giving lots of information on suitable materials, clear tips and subject matter for successful sketching outdoors. I particularly like the sections on what to include in a sketch and sketching a bit faster. There are also lots of lovely ideas for creating attractive and interesting pages in my sketchbook/journal. I love it!

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Customer Review

A truly inspirational and informative book, full of comprehensive details for the plein air painter. Such enthusiasm for outdoor sketching has to be contagious. All weathers, times of day, and seasons are covered.

No excuse can be given for the reluctant painter to get started sketching.

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Leisure Painter, February 2023

Readers are in for a treat with Barry Herniman's new book, Sketching Outdoors. The popular artist, tutor and The Artist contributor shares all his experience of painting in the open air and his enthusiasm is infectious. Intended as a reference book to keep handy in the field, it is full of practical and essential information, answering all the questions that the would-be sketcher needs to know.

In addition to tips and techniques, there are five full demonstrations, including a coastal scene in pen and ink; a countryside panorama in watercolour, a village scene in gouache; a townscape in line and watercolour wash; and trees in watercolour pencils, so all the sketching media are well covered.

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Paint & Create, March 2023

Step outside with this fun, friendly and practical handbook from professional artist Barry Herniman, jam-packed with rips and brimming with answers to common questions.

What comes across in every detail is the joy Barry experiences when he's sketching outside: it's contagious! He encourages you to absorb your surroundings and addresses the challenges and opportunities you'll face. This is a handy book you will keep close by for reference time and time again and is full of inspiring artwork as well as five inspiring demos in various mediums.

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The Artist, Issue 1126

Books about painting outdoors are always a challenge, because the moment you put something on a printed page, it stops being outdoors and becomes an armchair read. Yes, you can offer practical advice -- what to take, how to work quickly and efficiently in changing weather -- but there's hardly a whole book in that.

As well as the expected list of equipment, Barry goes into some detail of not just the whats but the whys, leading you to a very real understanding of the mental as well as practical considerations of working in the field. There is also the matter of demonstrations -- how can you teach someone outdoor painting when they're sitting in the warm with a book in their lap? The answer is, by not doing it. These are examples, rather than journeys, and about preparation rather than being in the exact moment, a guide to thinking in fact.