Urban Watercolor Sketching: A Guide to Drawing, Painting, and Storytelling in Color

A wonderful book on all fronts. I thought I'd read it, then realised there was so much more. That's because it's full to the brim with great tips. I'm not a beginner - I've been sketching almost daily for four years - and I'm a confident sketcher, but I still picked up millions of cool things from this book. Like, use alcohol when you're sketching sub-zero (which I won't be) to stop your brush freezing. Or, don't do more than two layers of paint or you risk losing transparency. Colour harmonies, explained very simply and with Felix' usual mad pictures. Felix has single-handedly made a huge difference to my work: now I big up the colour of everything I paint, rather than sticking to reality, as I used to. This is because I have found the larger the colour hit, the more you feel like you're really there. What else...all the usual stuff like the tools in his bag...how to stretch paper...just general brilliant things that he's picked up along the way. Felix has also affected my line - I am straying further and further away from reality (again) and further into my soul as a sketcher, which is in my opinion where we all want to go anyway!Other than all that good stuff, it is the most beautiful book to look at. Felix' drawings are so gorgeous and utterly unique and always full of colour. I have recommended it to everyone - from fellow tutors to my students, and all the people online who ask me what to recommend. Five stars!

I absolutely LOVED this book. I have taken up urban sketching recently and saw this book online, and the title intrigued me. While the book itself has so much more to say than just about urban sketching, it was definitely helpful to incorporate a lot of what I learnt (and I learnt SO much!) into my work. Scheinberger goes through everything about watercolours from how they are created to patterns and textures to being economical with colours - everything! Have read this book cover to cover, and I dip into it occasionally to refresh my memory. The sketches are BEAUTIFUL - not a single photograph which makes this entire book a work of art in its own merit. The photo attached was the first urban sketch I did after about 20 pages in to the book. You can find more ink and wash urban sketches if you follow me on instagram @sanjsketches

I really enjoy this book and keep dipping into it. Great on colour and the freshness of watercolour as a medium. He has a wild drawing style which may not be for everyone, but it is beautifully produced and written - it's a joy to read. Another reviewer mentions that he also touches lightly on the commercial side of being an illustrator. Three 'lightbulb' moments for me in this book, you can't say better than that! Incidentally, Felix, if you ever read this - I'm one of about 600 people doing an online sketching course - we were given given an exercise of drawing a stack of books - several dozen participants all over the world have drawn the cover of your book!

Pretty good, but rather thin on good, usable advice. Rather conventional content, and the "urban" title makes no real sense. A decent sketching/watercolour book without a lot of technique. Fun, though, if you're into cartoonish stuff.

As an amateur on a budget, this is a great value guide to basic watercolour. Second-hand but in near-new condition, very affordable and arrived early - also very useful and readable. Highly recommended.