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.

2318 Results
Sort by
  • WILHELM KUHNERT (1865-1926) NATIVE BEARER PENCIL DRAWING
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    WILHELM KUHNERT (1865-1926) NATIVE BEARER PENCIL DRAWIN...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Austin Auction Gallery
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $150
  • 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 (TX, 1918-2011) GRAPHITE SKETCH, BOY WITH PARAKEETS
    Estimate
    $150 - $350

    KELLY FEARING (TX, 1918-2011) GRAPHITE SKETCH, BOY WITH...

    Est.
    $150 - $350
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • KELLY FEARING (TX, 1918-2011) GRAPHITE SKETCH, ELDERLY MAN WITH BOUQUET
    Estimate
    $150 - $350

    KELLY FEARING (TX, 1918-2011) GRAPHITE SKETCH, ELDERLY ...

    Est.
    $150 - $350
    Austin Auction Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Gibran Kahlil Gibran, How Far the Immortal Looks
    Estimate
    $10,000 - $15,000

    Gibran Kahlil Gibran, How Far the Immortal Looks

    Est.
    $10,000 - $15,000
    Everard Auctions and Apprai...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $6,000
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Christopher A. D. Murphy, Sloop Near Savannah
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Christopher A. D. Murphy, Sloop Near Savannah

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Everard Auctions and Apprai...
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Vladimir Lebedev- Untitled (Sketch of a Man in Wide Trousers)
    Estimate
    $500 - $800

    Vladimir Lebedev- Untitled (Sketch of a Man in Wide Tro...

    Est.
    $500 - $800
    1stbid
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Rosalia Rabinovich- Sketch _5- Drawing _4. USSR Mural
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $2,500

    Rosalia Rabinovich- Sketch _5- Drawing _4. USSR Mural

    Est.
    $2,000 - $2,500
    1stbid
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,800
  • "Stanley's Boat Yard, Barrington" by J. Cashman

    "Stanley's Boat Yard, Barrington" by J. Cashman

    Associated Estate & Apprais...
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $5
  • Byron Wolfe, watercolor
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    Byron Wolfe, watercolor

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
    March in Montana Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • John Lennon (British, 1940-1980) Pen And Ink on Tan Paper, 1969, 'Portrait of John & Yoko' H 14.8" W 9.5"
    Estimate
    $6,000 - $8,000

    John Lennon (British, 1940-1980) Pen And Ink on Tan Pap...

    Est.
    $6,000 - $8,000
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $4,500
  • Jozef G. Bakos, watercolor
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000

    Jozef G. Bakos, watercolor

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
    March in Montana Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Vladimir Lebedev- Untitled (Woman in Bath)
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Vladimir Lebedev- Untitled (Woman in Bath)

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    1stbid
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $700
  • Aiden Lassell Ripley (1896-1969), Getting Ready
    Estimate
    $40,000 - $60,000

    Aiden Lassell Ripley (1896-1969), Getting Ready

    Est.
    $40,000 - $60,000
  • Group of Batman Original Sketches
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Group of Batman Original Sketches

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • 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
  • Six Mike Royer Winnie the Pooh Concept Sketches
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Six Mike Royer Winnie the Pooh Concept Sketches

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketch
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketch

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketches
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketches

    Est.
    $250 - $500
  • Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketches
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketches

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • (3) Francis Luis Mora (1874-1940) Pencil Sketches
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    (3) Francis Luis Mora (1874-1940) Pencil Sketches

    Est.
    $250 - $500
  • Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketches
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketches

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • (2)Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketches
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    (2)Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) Pencil Sketches

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Donald Duck Pencil Sketch
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Donald Duck Pencil Sketch

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Peanuts Gang Animation Cel and Sketches
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Peanuts Gang Animation Cel and Sketches

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Romolo Liverani (Italian, 1809 - 1872) Sketches
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,000

    Romolo Liverani (Italian, 1809 - 1872) Sketches

    Est.
    $500 - $1,000
  • Norman Theodore Mingo (American, 1896 - 1980)
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Norman Theodore Mingo (American, 1896 - 1980)

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) "St Francis"
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) "St Francis"

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) "New Mexico"
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) "New Mexico"

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) "Coast Contours"
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) "Coast Contours"

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) "Dancing Fawn"
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Francis Luis Mora (1874 - 1940) "Dancing Fawn"

    Est.
    $200 - $300
  • Bill Hess Ward (American, 1919 - 1998)
    Estimate
    $600 - $900

    Bill Hess Ward (American, 1919 - 1998)

    Est.
    $600 - $900
  • Attr. Camille Pissarro  (1830 - 1903) Man
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Attr. Camille Pissarro (1830 - 1903) Man

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • Benjamin Osro Eggleston (NY, MN, 1867-1937)
    Estimate
    $300 - $600

    Benjamin Osro Eggleston (NY, MN, 1867-1937)

    Est.
    $300 - $600
  • Two Illustrations of Marvel Characters
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Two Illustrations of Marvel Characters

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Mike Dubisch (American, Contemporary)
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Mike Dubisch (American, Contemporary)

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Attri. Emilio Ambron (Italian, 1905-1996)
    Estimate
    $250 - $450

    Attri. Emilio Ambron (Italian, 1905-1996)

    Est.
    $250 - $450
  • Group of Original Comic Artwork
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Group of Original Comic Artwork

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Four Flintstones Animation Cels
    Estimate
    $150 - $300

    Four Flintstones Animation Cels

    Est.
    $150 - $300
  • Group of Three Illustrations
    Estimate
    $150 - $300

    Group of Three Illustrations

    Est.
    $150 - $300
  • Group of Animation and Comic Book Art
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Group of Animation and Comic Book Art

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Group of Three Animation Cels
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Group of Three Animation Cels

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Group of Vampirella Original Art
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Group of Vampirella Original Art

    Est.
    $200 - $400