The National Edinburgh Book Purchase

The National Edinburgh Book Purchase

Lately I have been acquiring more books about sketching. The ones that are basically all about pictures and less writing. A deviation from biographical art books or those with instructions and such like this one. I just find it very inspiring, flipping through the pages and seeing other peoples lines in sketching.

So when I visited The National Galleries Edinburgh now called The National last week. I had to pop into their shop and see what I can find. I like to purchase books that are in relation to local art while I’m traveling. Specifically those talking about sketching in general. Urban sketching in particular. What can I say. I love buildings and their stories.

The Edinburgh Art Book By Emma Bennet

I piked up two titles.  First one was The Edinburgh Art Book – The city through the eyes of artist By Emma Bennett. Which was a delight. The magical beautiful City of Edinburgh showcased through the eyes of its artists.  As I set my foot out of the train station and looked at the old part of the city I gasped at its beauty and fell in love with all it has to offer. Having a book reminding me of the places I have visited is just so special. Seeing it from other artists perspective is even more so.

I love books with other peoples sketches because it opens up my eyes to endless possibilities and in a way informs my own sketching. I would adapt an idea, line or style and make it my own with few adjustments and twists.

David Hockney My Window By Taschen

The second one was David Hockney – My Window By Taschen. I love buildings and all the stories they carry within their walls over the centuries. Zooming in closer at them my favorite features are doors and windows specially in old architecture. I can’t help but wondering what is going on looking in from the outside. Or looking out from the inside! So you can imagine my excitement when I found a book filled with sketches of David Hockney. Looking through the same window over a period of time in changing seasons and day light, thus changing the view. And while the concept appealed to me and is something I wanted to do myself for a while. The book in itself was a let down for me. All the drawings were made on iPhone or iPad and in a primitive manner which I usually love. I just didn’t connect to the ones in this book. The one thing I connected to is the passage of time and changing of seasons. I will be going back to it some more and see if there is anything else that catches my attention.

On days when I am too tiered to read or concentrate on a book. It is books like these that bring me joy and excitement. Every time I open them I see something new.