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.

2483 Results
Sort by
  • Richard Thomas (21st Century) American, Art Class Watercolor and Ink on Paper
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    Richard Thomas (21st Century) American, Art Class Watercolor and Ink on Paper

    Est.
    $250 - $500
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $125
  •  John Bennett (1840-1907) British, Sketch Booklet with Watercolor Botanical Studies
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    John Bennett (1840-1907) British, Sketch Booklet with Watercolor Botanical Studies

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • Ben Stahl (1910-1987) American, Pen/Graphite Sketch on Paper
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Ben Stahl (1910-1987) American, Pen/Graphite Sketch on Paper

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Louis Icart (1888-1950) French, Signed Original Etching on Paper
    Estimate
    $500 - $750

    Louis Icart (1888-1950) French, Signed Original Etching on Paper

    Est.
    $500 - $750
    Sarasota Estate Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Two (2) Signed Ralph Stackpole (American, 1885-1973) Pen & Ink Sketches
    Estimate
    $100 - $250

    Two (2) Signed Ralph Stackpole (American, 1885-1973) Pen & Ink Sketches

    Est.
    $100 - $250
    Annex Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • 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
  • George Habergritz (1909-1998) Abstract Composition
    Estimate
    $100 - $150

    George Habergritz (1909-1998) Abstract Composition

    Est.
    $100 - $150
    Peterborough Auctions LLC
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Opera Illustrations: Don Giovanni
    Estimate
    $100 - $150

    Opera Illustrations: Don Giovanni

    Est.
    $100 - $150
    Peterborough Auctions LLC
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Signed & Framed Modernist Line Drawing of Three Female Nudes
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Signed & Framed Modernist Line Drawing of Three Female Nudes

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    NJ Antiques
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Jean Jansem (France, 1920-2013) Original Ink on Paper Drawing Signed
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000

    Jean Jansem (France, 1920-2013) Original Ink on Paper Drawing Signed

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000
    NJ Antiques
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Signed Italian School 1936 Charcoal Portrait Study of a Man
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Signed Italian School 1936 Charcoal Portrait Study of a Man

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    NJ Antiques
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • Signed & Dated 1944 Framed Pastel Portrait of Two Boys
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Signed & Dated 1944 Framed Pastel Portrait of Two Boys

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    NJ Antiques
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • 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
  • 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
  • Rebekah McLain (B. 1994), Mixed media on Toned Paper, THE CATCH
    Estimate
    CAD$1,200 - CAD$1,500 $863.31 - $1,079.14

    Rebekah McLain (B. 1994), Mixed media on Toned Paper, THE CATCH

    Est.
    CAD$1,200 - CAD$1,500 $863.31 - $1,079.14
    Pure West Art Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    CAD$100$71.94
  • 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
  • 13 Gladys Rockmore Davis (American, 1901-1967) watercolor sketches
    Estimate
    $600 - $900

    13 Gladys Rockmore Davis (American, 1901-1967) watercolor sketches

    Est.
    $600 - $900
  • Charles Getz (American, 1822- ?) sketches
    Estimate
    $40 - $80

    Charles Getz (American, 1822- ?) sketches

    Est.
    $40 - $80
  • 2 Carl Gaertner (American, 1898-1952) pencil sketches
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    2 Carl Gaertner (American, 1898-1952) pencil sketches

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • Henry G. Keller (American, 1869-1949) ephemera
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Henry G. Keller (American, 1869-1949) ephemera

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • George Washington Sully (American, 1816-1890) watercolors
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    George Washington Sully (American, 1816-1890) watercolors

    Est.
    $200 - $400
  • Henry Wolf (American, 1852-1916) wood engraving
    Estimate
    $60 - $120

    Henry Wolf (American, 1852-1916) wood engraving

    Est.
    $60 - $120
  • Enrico Glicenstein Tree of Life Book with Original Illustrations
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Enrico Glicenstein Tree of Life Book with Original Illustrations

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • 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
  • Carl Rice Embrey, (4) Pencil Studies
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
  • 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
  • Tasha Tudor Sketch
    Estimate
    $500 - $5

    Tasha Tudor Sketch

    Est.
    $500 - $5
  • Group of Two Sketches, Mexico
    Estimate
    $250 - $350

    Group of Two Sketches, Mexico

    Est.
    $250 - $350
  • Tasha Tudor Sketches
    Estimate
    $500 - $5

    Tasha Tudor Sketches

    Est.
    $500 - $5