If you've ever felt paralyzed by the blank page, or second-guessed every sketch because it didn’t look “good enough,” Dare to Sketch by Felix Scheinberger might be the book you didn’t know you needed.
I picked up Dare to Sketch during a period when I felt completely stuck in my own sketchbook practice. I had been overthinking every line, worrying that my pages didn’t look as polished as the artists I admired online. When I started reading this book, something clicked.
It reminded me that drawing is as much about curiosity and memory as it is about observation and skill.
Dare to Sketch is More Than a How-To
At first glance, Dare to Sketch seems like another beginner-friendly sketching book. And it is. But unlike more technical guides like Keys to Drawing or Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, this one leans hard into mindset: why we sketch, not just how.
Felix Scheinberger’s personal anecdotes, charming illustrations, and bold opinions give it a voice that’s both friendly and refreshingly blunt. Whether you're into nature journaling, urban sketching, or just scribbling while waiting for the bus, there's something in here that will nudge you to pick up your pen and start.
Reading it felt almost like having a friend sitting next to me saying, “It’s okay to be messy. It’s okay if the perspective is off. Just sketch.”
Key Points
- You don’t have to be precise: The value of sketching is in the process, not perfection.
- Overcoming fear: Scheinberger offers practical ways to overcome fear and make sketching part of daily life.
- Perfect companion: This book pairs beautifully with practices like nature journaling and casual observation drawing, especially if you're exploring prompts like nature journaling ideas or drawing prompts for beginners.
What Makes Dare to Sketch So Helpful
One thing that stood out to me right away was the tone. Instead of bombarding me with lessons on proportion, shading, or technique, Scheinberger focused on mindset. He emphasized that a sketchbook is a personal place—a playground for mistakes, memories, and experiments.
That message immediately took a weight off my shoulders. I didn’t need every page to be “worthy” of sharing. I just needed to sketch.
Embracing Imperfection
I’ve always struggled with being too careful in my sketchbooks. I would erase endlessly or abandon pages halfway through if they didn’t meet my unrealistic expectations. Reading Dare to Sketch helped me shift my thinking. It validated something I had suspected deep down but never fully embraced: messy, imperfect sketches are valuable.
The idea that your sketchbook should look a little chaotic, a little wild, felt revolutionary. It reminded me of other lessons I’d picked up in resources like messy drawings and drawing is imperfect.
Now, when I flip through my sketchbooks, I love seeing pages that are a little wonky. They feel alive.
Encouragement Without Fluff
Another thing I appreciated about Dare to Sketch was that it doesn’t coddle you. It’s encouraging, but it doesn’t pretend that creativity is effortless. It acknowledges that doubt, fear, and perfectionism are real—and then it tells you to move past them anyway.
I remember one passage where Scheinberger bluntly says something like, “If you don't draw, you won't improve.” As harsh as it sounds, it was exactly what I needed. I’d spent too much time reading about drawing, thinking about drawing, but not actually drawing. This book made me realize that the act of putting pen to paper—even sloppily—was infinitely more valuable than endlessly researching techniques.
If you’re prone to overthinking (like I am), and want a practical but loving nudge, this book delivers.
Who Should Read This Book
I would recommend Dare to Sketch to:
- Beginners who feel intimidated by traditional art instruction.
- Hobbyists who want to build a low-pressure, fun sketching habit.
- Experienced artists who feel stuck or creatively blocked.
- Nature journalers, urban sketchers, and travelers who want a portable, spontaneous drawing practice.
If you’ve ever been intrigued by illustrative journaling, sketching nature, or just keeping a visual diary, Dare to Sketch will feel like a breath of fresh air.
Bonus for Nature Journalers
As someone who also loves nature journaling adventures, I found Dare to Sketch especially inspiring. Even though it doesn’t focus specifically on nature subjects, its emphasis on observation, spontaneity, and memory fits beautifully with documenting outdoor experiences.
After reading it, I started bringing a small sketchbook with me on walks and trips, and I’d sketch whatever caught my eye: a bent tree, a busy squirrel, the shape of distant mountains. It helped me reconnect with why I fell in love with sketching in the first place.
If you’re looking for more structured guidance specifically for nature, I also recommend checking out A Field Guide to Nature Journaling and The Laws Sketchbook for Nature Journaling.
A Few Critiques (That Might Actually Be Strengths)
Some readers might find Scheinberger's tone a little opinionated. He definitely has strong feelings about how sketching “should” be approached. For example, he’s very clear that your sketchbook is not a portfolio, and you shouldn’t treat it like one.
At first, I felt slightly defensive—like, “But what if I want my sketchbook to be pretty?” But after sitting with it, I realized he wasn’t saying you couldn’t make beautiful sketchbooks. He was saying you shouldn’t let the pressure to make beautiful sketchbooks stop you from creating.
It’s a critical distinction, and one that helped me enjoy daily sketching prompts and random themes to draw without fear.
It’s Not a Technical Manual
If you’re looking for a step-by-step breakdown of how to draw hands, faces, or perspective grids, this isn’t the book for you. I actually liked that about it, but it’s worth mentioning.
If you do want to dive deeper into technical skills after being inspired by Dare to Sketch, resources like how to draw a scene and how to find your drawing style are great complements.
Final Thoughts
Reading Dare to Sketch genuinely shifted how I view my sketchbooks. It’s one of the few art books I’ve read cover-to-cover multiple times, and I often flip through it when I feel stuck or overly critical of my work.
It’s not about mastery. It’s about joy, observation, and connection. It’s about letting go of the idea that every page must be perfect.
If you’re feeling intimidated by the blank page, or you want to reconnect with the playful side of drawing, I wholeheartedly recommend it. Pair it with some fun ideas like easy ideas for drawing or things to fill your sketchbook with, and you’ll have no shortage of inspiration.
Is Dare to Sketch good for beginners?
Absolutely. It’s one of the best sketching books I’ve found for beginners because it focuses more on mindset and building habits than on technical perfection.
Does Dare to Sketch teach drawing techniques?
Not many. It’s about philosophy and approach more than techniques. If you want to complement it with technique, try Keys to Drawing or Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
What materials does the book recommend?
The recommendations are fairly broad. He talks about sketchbooks, travel kits, and pens, but he doesn’t push specific brands. For more detailed gear suggestions, nature journaling supplies has a lot of helpful info.
Can this help with creative block?
Yes, and I’m living proof. It helped me shift my mindset so that I could enjoy sketching again, rather than dreading it.
Is this book only for experienced artists?
Nope. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to develop a spontaneous, joyful sketching habit—whether that's city scenes, people, pets, or landscapes. If you’re also interested in urban sketching or wildlife sketching, you’ll find it a wonderful mindset boost.