Sketches

The stroke of an artist is often considered to be the purest representation of their abilities. A continuous line can evoke powerful emotions as it winds across a piece of paper or canvas. Consequently, it is not surprising that sketching occupies a central role in visual art. A drawing can be as simple and quick as a child's sketch or it can be as detailed and magnificent as the black-and-white studies that Leonardo da Vinci created during the Renaissance. Historically, sketching is the common denominator of both visual communication and physical product production. Despite their traditional, historical identification as preparatory works for other media, sketching in contemporary practice is becoming increasingly important as artworks on their own. Choose from antique sketches for sale at online auctions on Bidsquare to complement your contemporary or traditional décor. The new and vintage art pieces we offer are always authentic, high quality, and uniquely different. 

Monochromatic scale can give a piece of art an aura of timelessness and class. An artwork in black and white exhibits raw emotion with no distractions caused by colors. The drawings complement both bright and dim lighting and any colored wall. Bidsquare’s pencil drawings offer a variety of styles and a range of artists, so you will be sure to find a nature scene, portrait, or abstract design to suit your preferences. With our collection of unique art pieces, you can buy antique sketches that include everything from a traditional interior to an abstract pencil drawing. Place a beautiful black and white drawing above your fireplace or arrange a series of drawings with similar themes to create a cohesive look in your hallway. Bring life to your new artwork and your home with the right lighting solutions.

A Selection of Sketches by Famous Artists

Leonardo Da Vinci 

A painter, sculptor, scientist, and architect, Leonardo is best known for his painting of the Mona Lisa, his drawing Vitruvian Man, and the fresco The Last Supper (1495). Design for a Flying Machine, Sketch of a Flying Machine, Design for a Boat, and Stretching Device for a Barrel Spring are among the most famous of Da Vinci's sketches.

Raphael 

A famous high Renaissance Painter, Raphael is best known for his spatial geometry drawings and painting masterpieces like The Sistine Madonna (1513) and The Transfiguration. The artist drew a lot on paper, some of them intended for specific paintings, others to capture fleeting moments. These included Madonna and Child, Head and shoulders of a Young Woman, Madonna and Child w. John the Baptist, among others. 

Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh's more than 1,100 drawings, although among his most innovative and striking works, are generally underappreciated in comparison with his paintings. Drawing and painting were integral parts of Van Gogh's creative process, which enabled him to fully appreciate the creative potential of both mediums. A variety of techniques were used by Van Gogh in his drawings, including black chalk, pencil, and other dark materials, as well as watercolors. It was with the pen, however, that he excelled most.  Aside from many preliminary sketches, Vincent van Gogh produced many drawings, including Bedroom in Arles, Couple Out for a Stroll, Windmills at Dordrecht, Carpenters Yard, and Laundry. etc. 

Edgar Degas

In his lifetime, Degas illustrated 38 sketchbooks during his illustrious career as one of the leading exponents of impressionism in French art. A great deal of his work survives today in pencil and pastel drawings of ballet dancers, milliners, and laundresses in Paris.

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  • Three Circus Sketches. Mid-20th century.
    Estimate
    $150 - $250

    Three Circus Sketches. Mid-20th century.

    Est.
    $150 - $250
    Potter & Potter Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $70
  • Wells Moses Sawyer (1863-1960) American, Watercolor Landscape Sketch "On the Amalfi Drive"
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Wells Moses Sawyer (1863-1960) American, Watercolor Landscape Sketch "On the Amalfi Drive"

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Wells Moses Sawyer (1863–1960) American, Watercolor Sketch of Coffeyville, Kansas
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Wells Moses Sawyer (1863–1960) American, Watercolor Sketch of Coffeyville, Kansas

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • 7 Art Deco Industrial Design Sketches by Wehrle New York City
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    7 Art Deco Industrial Design Sketches by Wehrle New York City

    Est.
    $100 - $200
    Concept Gallery
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $60
  • Important Albert Sterner charcoal sketch, Symbolist, 'Nun and Nude'
    Price$650

    Important Albert Sterner charcoal sketch, Symbolist, 'Nun and Nude'

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $650
  • Leonard Lieb Large Group of Human Form Studies
    Estimate
    $60 - $100

    Leonard Lieb Large Group of Human Form Studies

    Est.
    $60 - $100
    Concept Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $40
  • Peggy Bacon (USA, 1895-1987) A Double Life Drawing of Kenneth Hayes Miller
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Peggy Bacon (USA, 1895-1987) A Double Life Drawing of Kenneth Hayes Miller

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    NJ Antiques
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Samuel Howitt (British, 1765-1822) Watercolor Lion and Bear in a Landscape
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Samuel Howitt (British, 1765-1822) Watercolor Lion and Bear in a Landscape

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    NJ Antiques
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Margery Ryerson (USA, 1886-1989) Charcoal Drawing of Child at Grand Piano with Dog
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Margery Ryerson (USA, 1886-1989) Charcoal Drawing of Child at Grand Piano with Dog

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    NJ Antiques
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Robert Kalthoff (Born 1936) American, 10 Drawings
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    Robert Kalthoff (Born 1936) American, 10 Drawings

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Kate Greenaway (UK, 1846-1901) Watercolor Illustration of Young Girl
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Kate Greenaway (UK, 1846-1901) Watercolor Illustration of Young Girl

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    NJ Antiques
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Oscar Bluemner (1867-1938) American, Graphite on Paper Rural House Landscape
    Estimate
    $450 - $600

    Oscar Bluemner (1867-1938) American, Graphite on Paper Rural House Landscape

    Est.
    $450 - $600
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $225
  • Louis-Marie Désiré-Lucas (1869–1949) French, Charcoal Portrait of a Man
    Estimate
    $60 - $90

    Louis-Marie Désiré-Lucas (1869–1949) French, Charcoal Portrait of a Man

    Est.
    $60 - $90
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $30
  • Liubov Sergeevna Popova,, Russian Cubist Figures,Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914
    Price$3,000

    Liubov Sergeevna Popova,, Russian Cubist Figures,Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $3,000
  • Russian Cubist Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914
    Price$3,000

    Russian Cubist Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $3,000
  • Russian Cubist Seated Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914
    Price$3,000

    Russian Cubist Seated Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $3,000
  • Paul Klee, Trio of Drawings, Ink on Paper, Signed LR
    Price$22,500

    Paul Klee, Trio of Drawings, Ink on Paper, Signed LR

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $22,500
  • Ira Moskowitz Watercolor on Paper Rabbi
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Ira Moskowitz Watercolor on Paper Rabbi

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Concept Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • The Hun (William Schmeling) (American, 1938-2019)
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    The Hun (William Schmeling) (American, 1938-2019)

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    Vallots Auctioneers
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $400
  • 20 Gladys Rockmore Davis (American, 1901-1967)  sketches
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    20 Gladys Rockmore Davis (American, 1901-1967) sketches

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • German WW2 Period Hand Drawing Pencil Sketch of Adolf Hitler Early War by Enrico Nardi

    German WW2 Period Hand Drawing Pencil Sketch of Adolf Hitler Early War by Enrico Nardi

  • Clyde Singer (American, 1908-1999) tempera
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Clyde Singer (American, 1908-1999) tempera

    Est.
    $300 - $600
  • Guillaume Azoulay (Moroccan, 1949- ) drawing
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Guillaume Azoulay (Moroccan, 1949- ) drawing

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • George Washington Sully (American, 1816-1890) watercolor
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    George Washington Sully (American, 1816-1890) watercolor

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Enrico Glicenstein Tree of Life Book with Original Illustrations
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Enrico Glicenstein Tree of Life Book with Original Illustrations

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Hand Drawn Skeleton Anatomical Sketch by Helen Clarke
    Estimate
    $100 - $250
  • Esphyr Slobodkina 1930s Work on Paper Mural Sketch #3
    Estimate
    $1,200 - $1,800

    Esphyr Slobodkina 1930s Work on Paper Mural Sketch #3

    Est.
    $1,200 - $1,800
  • WILLIAM HENRY DETHLEF KOERNER (NJ/NY/MT, 1878-1938)
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    WILLIAM HENRY DETHLEF KOERNER (NJ/NY/MT, 1878-1938)

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • Selina Trieff 1980s Sketchbook Standing Figures Sleeping Cats
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Selina Trieff 1980s Sketchbook Standing Figures Sleeping Cats

    Est.
    $300 - $500