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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  • Frederic James Collected Sketches, 1920s-1980s
    Estimate
    $200 - $500

    Frederic James Collected Sketches, 1920s-1980s

    Est.
    $200 - $500
    Circle Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Original Framed Sketch by S.S. Huntsman c. 1982
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Original Framed Sketch by S.S. Huntsman c. 1982

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    North American Auction Comp...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Pablo Picasso Attributed: 27 Watercolor Sketches
    Estimate
    $25,000 - $35,000

    Pablo Picasso Attributed: 27 Watercolor Sketches

    Est.
    $25,000 - $35,000
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $9,500
  • Manner of Richard Diebenkorn: Golden Gate Bridge Sketch
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000

    Manner of Richard Diebenkorn: Golden Gate Bridge Sketch...

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $600
  • (14) THEATRICAL COSTUME DESIGNS FOR LUIGI PIRANDELLO'S 'HENRY IV'
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    (14) THEATRICAL COSTUME DESIGNS FOR LUIGI PIRANDELLO'S ...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Alexander Theo Van Laer (USA 1857-1920) Pencil Ske
    Estimate
    $100 - $10,000

    Alexander Theo Van Laer (USA 1857-1920) Pencil Ske

    Est.
    $100 - $10,000
    Joshua Kodner
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $5
  • Emile Othon Friesz (FRANCE 1879-1949) Pencil Work
    Estimate
    $100 - $10,000

    Emile Othon Friesz (FRANCE 1879-1949) Pencil Work

    Est.
    $100 - $10,000
    Joshua Kodner
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $5
  • Richard H. Bassett: Tree Study #4 Pattern
    Estimate
    $200 - $250

    Richard H. Bassett: Tree Study #4 Pattern

    Est.
    $200 - $250
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • (13) MIKE HOFFMAN (20TH C.) DRAWING & SIGNED FANTASY ART BOOKS
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    (13) MIKE HOFFMAN (20TH C.) DRAWING & SIGNED FANTASY AR...

    Est.
    $100 - $200
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $80
  • Paul Cadmus David & Goliath Study Sketch
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,000

    Paul Cadmus David & Goliath Study Sketch

    Est.
    $500 - $1,000
    Revere Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $200
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Charcoal Sketches on Paper, "Cowboys on Horseback", 2 pcs
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Charcoal Sketches o...

    Est.
    $250 - $500
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $125
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink And Pencil Sketches on Paper, "Texas Longhorns", 2 pcs
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink And Pencil Sket...

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink Sketch on Paper, "Cowboy Lassoing a Steer", H 8.5" W 14"
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink Sketch on Paper...

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Important Albert Sterner charcoal sketch, Symbolist, 'Nun and Nude'
    Price$650

    Important Albert Sterner charcoal sketch, Symbolist, 'N...

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $650
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink Sketch on Paper, "Cowboy on Horseback", H 8.5" W 14"
    Estimate
    $500 - $800

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink Sketch on Paper...

    Est.
    $500 - $800
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $375
  • Aedwyn Darroll (South African/American, 1929-2005) Charcoal Sketch on Paper, 1964, Female Nude, H 10.5" W 11.25"
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Aedwyn Darroll (South African/American, 1929-2005) Char...

    Est.
    $100 - $200
    DuMouchelles
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $50
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink And Pencil Sketch on Paper, "Herd of Texas Longhorns", H 3" W 9.25"
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink And Pencil Sket...

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink And Pencil Sketch on Paper, "Two Cowboys And a Herd of Texas Longhorns", H 5.75" W 11"
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink And Pencil Sket...

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink Sketch on Paper, "Cowboy Lassoing a Steer", H 5.75" W 9.75"
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink Sketch on Paper...

    Est.
    $250 - $500
    DuMouchelles
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $125
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink Sketch on Paper, "Cowboy on a Bucking Bronco", H 11" W 8.5"
    Estimate
    $500 - $800

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Ink Sketch on Paper...

    Est.
    $500 - $800
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $375
  • Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Pencil Sketch on Cardboard, "Cowboy with a Herd of Texas Longhorns", H 7.5" W 10.75"
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    Edward Borein (American, 1872-1945) Pencil Sketch on Ca...

    Est.
    $250 - $500
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $125
  • Four Works on Paper, Various Artists
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Four Works on Paper, Various Artists

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    Locati LLC
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Egon Schiele, Manner of:  Stehende Frau (Standing Woman)
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000

    Egon Schiele, Manner of: Stehende Frau (Standing Woman)...

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,100
  • Russian Cubist/Futurist Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Charcoal/Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914
    Price$3,800

    Russian Cubist/Futurist Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova...

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $3,800
  • Liubov Sergeevna Popova,, Russian Cubist Figures,Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914
    Price$1,500

    Liubov Sergeevna Popova,, Russian Cubist Figures,Graphi...

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $1,500
  • Russian Cubist Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914
    Price$1,200

    Russian Cubist Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Graphit...

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $1,200
  • Russian Cubist Seated Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914
    Price$1,200

    Russian Cubist Seated Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, ...

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $1,200
  • Paul Klee, Trio of Drawings, Ink on Paper, Signed LR
    Price$27,500

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

    King Art & Antiques
    Buy Now Price
    $27,500
  • Kenney Mencher: Sketch of a Man in a Cap (Benjamin)
    Estimate
    $500 - $750

    Kenney Mencher: Sketch of a Man in a Cap (Benjamin)

    Est.
    $500 - $750
  • Stanislas Kostka (Poland, b. 1954) Landscape Pencil Sketch
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    Stanislas Kostka (Poland, b. 1954) Landscape Pencil Ske...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
  • French Pencil Drawing of a Windmill, Signed Geofray
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    French Pencil Drawing of a Windmill, Signed Geofray

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Fernand Leger, Attributed/ Manner of: Fleur
    Estimate
    $900 - $2,500

    Fernand Leger, Attributed/ Manner of: Fleur

    Est.
    $900 - $2,500
  • Rene Magritte, Manner of: The Seducer
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000

    Rene Magritte, Manner of: The Seducer

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
  • Vincent van Gogh, Attributed: Road with Houses
    Estimate
    $15,000 - $20,000

    Vincent van Gogh, Attributed: Road with Houses

    Est.
    $15,000 - $20,000
  • Harry McCormick (b. 1942) American, Limited Edition Signed Original Etching
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Harry McCormick (b. 1942) American, Limited Edition Sig...

    Est.
    $300 - $600
  • Egon Schiele, Manner of: Two Nude Women Embracing
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000

    Egon Schiele, Manner of: Two Nude Women Embracing

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
  • John Steel (1921-1998) American, Gouache on Board
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    John Steel (1921-1998) American, Gouache on Board

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Lawrence Scammon (1872-1949) American, Framed Etching
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Lawrence Scammon (1872-1949) American, Framed Etching

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Arthur Kraft (1922-1977) American, Watercolor and Pencil
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Arthur Kraft (1922-1977) American, Watercolor and Penci...

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Ferenc Vörös (1931-2019) Hungarian, (2) Figural Ink and Watercolor on Paper
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Ferenc Vörös (1931-2019) Hungarian, (2) Figural Ink and...

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Sir John Gaspard Le Marchant (1803-1874) British, Original Watercolor on Paper
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    Sir John Gaspard Le Marchant (1803-1874) British, Origi...

    Est.
    $400 - $800
  • Jervis McEntee Pencil Sketch Mountain Sketch 1858
    Estimate
    $100 - $1,000

    Jervis McEntee Pencil Sketch Mountain Sketch 1858

    Est.
    $100 - $1,000
  • Pencil Sketches
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Pencil Sketches

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • Charcoal Sketch
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Charcoal Sketch

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • Tasha Tudor Sketch
    Estimate
    $500 - $5

    Tasha Tudor Sketch

    Est.
    $500 - $5