The activity of drawing still informs and develops the work of many painters, sculptors, printmakers and students of fine art and design in the 21st century. This book attempts to put drawing into context with the work of the practising artist and shows how it is still essential to the development of ideas, methods and skills, and the search for knowledge in the work of many artists. In this book, Jane Stobart discusses approaches to the subject of drawing such as line, tone, shape, colour and composition. Based on the use of sketchbooks to gather visual information, Jane inspires the reader with examples of life drawing, working sketchbooks from selected artists and students as guides to good practice, and a gallery section with statements from practising artists about the role of drawing in their work. Drawing project ideas, information about drawing materials, practical tips and themes for sketchbook work are also included.

'This is a quite remarkable book, and one which has needed to be written for a long time...Anyone who aspires to any kind of graphical representation should read it... I think it could be the best book on art ever written.' Artbookreview.net (October 2006) 'An elegantly argued and well-illustrated case for why drawing does, indeed, matter.' The Artist (July 2007) 'The language is neither too technical for the beginner nor condescending to an experienced artist; techniques are clearly explained and illustrated with good drawn examples... A superb refresher of everthing stored in an artist's subconscious.' The Association of Illustrators (www.theaoi.com, June 2007)

Jane Stobart is a well-known printmaker. She teaches at West Dean College in Chichester and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers. Her work has been exhibited internationally and is held in public and private collections in Germany, USA and UK. Drawing and sketchbook research are integral to her work as a practicing artist.