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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  • 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
  • Teddy Roosevelt Doodles
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Teddy Roosevelt Doodles

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Arturo Michelena, Venezuelan (1863-1898)
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000

    Arturo Michelena, Venezuelan (1863-1898)

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
    Kodner Galleries
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,000
  • Vincent van Gogh, Attributed: Road with Houses
    Estimate
    $15,000 - $20,000

    Vincent van Gogh, Attributed: Road with Houses

    Est.
    $15,000 - $20,000
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $10,000
  • Egon Schiele, Manner of: Two Nude Women Embracing
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $3,000

    Egon Schiele, Manner of: Two Nude Women Embracing

    Est.
    $1,500 - $3,000
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $900
  • 13 Werner Wildner Pencil Sketches
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    13 Werner Wildner Pencil Sketches

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Case Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Norman Rockwell Signed Sketch w/ Photograph
    Estimate
    $800 - $900

    Norman Rockwell Signed Sketch w/ Photograph

    Est.
    $800 - $900
    Case Auctions
    2 Bids
    Current Bid
    $550
  • Paul Weingarten (American) Framed Sketch, Signed
    Estimate
    $10 - $200

    Paul Weingarten (American) Framed Sketch, Signed

    Est.
    $10 - $200
    Lion and Unicorn
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $5
  • Portrait of a Gentleman Sketches, Chalk on Blue Paper
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Portrait of a Gentleman Sketches, Chalk on Blue Paper

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Nye & Co.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • JAMES BAMA (1926-2022) WESTERN PENCIL SKETCH RUGGED COWBOY, 1983
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,200

    JAMES BAMA (1926-2022) WESTERN PENCIL SKETCH RUGGED COW...

    Est.
    $600 - $1,200
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • DON (DONALD) V. CROWLEY (1926-2019) PENCIL SKETCH 'STUDY FOR A CHIEF'
    Estimate
    $600 - $1,200

    DON (DONALD) V. CROWLEY (1926-2019) PENCIL SKETCH 'STUD...

    Est.
    $600 - $1,200
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • 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
  • KELLY FEARING (1918-2011) SKETCH OR DRAWING ON PAPER
    Estimate
    $80 - $150

    KELLY FEARING (1918-2011) SKETCH OR DRAWING ON PAPER

    Est.
    $80 - $150
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Joseph Delaney Sketchbook, 22 Works on Paper Incl. 14 Signed
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,100

    Joseph Delaney Sketchbook, 22 Works on Paper Incl. 14 S...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,100
    Case Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • Isabelle Robinson, Original Charcoal Drawing on Paper, Nudes
    Estimate
    $10 - $200

    Isabelle Robinson, Original Charcoal Drawing on Paper, ...

    Est.
    $10 - $200
    Lion and Unicorn
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $10
  • Meyer Wolfe Drawing, William Edmondson at Work
    Estimate
    $1,800 - $2,200

    Meyer Wolfe Drawing, William Edmondson at Work

    Est.
    $1,800 - $2,200
    Case Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $900
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 56 George Cress Watercolor Paintings & Drawings
    Estimate
    $500 - $600

    56 George Cress Watercolor Paintings & Drawings

    Est.
    $500 - $600
    Case Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $250
  • 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
  • Paul Cadmus Female Nude Sketches
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Paul Cadmus Female Nude Sketches

    Est.
    $300 - $600
    Revere Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Joseph Stella: Sketch of a Fern Leaf
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    Joseph Stella: Sketch of a Fern Leaf

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $500
  • 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
  • Irene Pereira Figural Pen Sketch 1966
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Irene Pereira Figural Pen Sketch 1966

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Revere Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Irene Pereira "Phosphor - The Morning Star" Sketch
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Irene Pereira "Phosphor - The Morning Star" Sketch

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Revere Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Auguste Rodin Nude Female Drawing
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $12,000

    Auguste Rodin Nude Female Drawing

    Est.
    $6,000 - $12,000
    Revere Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $4,000
  • Charles Andrew Hafner (1888-1960): Sketchbook
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Charles Andrew Hafner (1888-1960): Sketchbook

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    STAIR
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Paul Cadmus Seated Nude Crayon on Paper
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Paul Cadmus Seated Nude Crayon on Paper

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Revere Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Paul Cadmus Double Figure Study Drawing on Paper
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    Paul Cadmus Double Figure Study Drawing on Paper

    Est.
    $400 - $800
    Revere Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • William Zorach (1887-1966): Autumn—Moses Riggs’ House
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500

    William Zorach (1887-1966): Autumn—Moses Riggs’ House

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
    STAIR
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $700
  • Yves Tanguy, Manner of: Surreal Figure
    Estimate
    $400 - $1,200

    Yves Tanguy, Manner of: Surreal Figure

    Est.
    $400 - $1,200
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Richard H. Bassett: Edge of the Milton Wood
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Richard H. Bassett: Edge of the Milton Wood

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $25
  • 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
  • Aiden Lassell Ripley (1896-1969), Getting Ready
    Estimate
    $40,000 - $60,000

    Aiden Lassell Ripley (1896-1969), Getting Ready

    Est.
    $40,000 - $60,000
    Copley Fine Art Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $20,000
  • Roy Lichtenstein (manner OF)
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Roy Lichtenstein (manner OF)

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Pablo Picasso ( manner )
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Pablo Picasso ( manner )

    Est.
    $500 - $700
  • Edgar Degas Manner of )
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Edgar Degas Manner of )

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Edgar Degas Manner of )
    Estimate
    $1,200 - $2,500

    Edgar Degas Manner of )

    Est.
    $1,200 - $2,500
  • Victor Basarely (Manner Of )
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,000

    Victor Basarely (Manner Of )

    Est.
    $800 - $1,000
  • Edgar Negret
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Edgar Negret

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Jose Maria Mijares
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Jose Maria Mijares

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Jose Maria Mijares
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Jose Maria Mijares

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Remington's Frontier Sketches, Frederic Remington
    Estimate
    $750 - $1,500

    Remington's Frontier Sketches, Frederic Remington

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

    Stanislas Kostka (Born 1954) Polish, Landscape Pencil S...

    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