Gattobravo

Gattobravo is a really interesting blog that demonstrates how effective simple, quick sketching can be.  The blogger describes the site as  "an illustration blog that focuses on the more important things in life; good food and wine, as well as the occasional feature on design, architecture and music. GATTOBRAVO is opinionated and partial and everything recommended on this site has been personally reviewed by GATTOBRAVO."

Sketching is a skill in itself.  Most of the time as artists we like to look at detail and take time over drawing, however at other times it's necessary to draw details to record visual fact or atmosphere at speed.  Gattobravo's style is interesting because it is simple, precise, detailed and colourful but not all at the same time.  The illustrator proves that observational drawing can capture specific parts of a skeleton-like whole.  The image below is a good example of this; why draw both doors in detail when you know both will be the same?  Get down samples of colour rather than doing complete painted studies.  Sketches with supporting photographs can give you a wealth of material to return to in the comfort of your own home, studio, or art lesson.