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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  • WILLIAMS, Robert (American, b. 1943). Four Sketches. 
    Estimate
    $500 - $1,000

    WILLIAMS, Robert (American, b. 1943). Four Sketches. 

    Est.
    $500 - $1,000
    Potter & Potter Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • J. Stelmok Loon Publications Featuring Sketches of North American Moose

    J. Stelmok Loon Publications Featuring Sketches of North American Moose

    Mebane Antique Auction Gall...
    Starting Bid
    $5
  • Barbara Nichols (1928-1976) Nude Sketch, 1960's
    Estimate
    $200 - $300

    Barbara Nichols (1928-1976) Nude Sketch, 1960's

    Est.
    $200 - $300
    Peterborough Auctions LLC
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • 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
  • Henry G. Keller (American, 1869-1949) drawings
    Estimate
    $150 - $250

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

    Est.
    $150 - $250
    Rachel Davis Fine Arts
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $100
  • Edward Laning (American, 1906-1981) watercolor
    Estimate
    $400 - $700

    Edward Laning (American, 1906-1981) watercolor

    Est.
    $400 - $700
    Rachel Davis Fine Arts
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $200
  • Russian Cubist Seated Figure, Liubov Sergeevna Popova, Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914
    Price$1,200

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

    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,Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914

    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, Graphite on paper, signed, Ca 1914

    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
  • Unframed Sketch on paper unsigned Study of Nude Figures
    Estimate
    $75 - $150

    Unframed Sketch on paper unsigned Study of Nude Figures

    Est.
    $75 - $150
  • Unframed Sketch on paper unsigned Study of Nude Figures
    Estimate
    $75 - $150

    Unframed Sketch on paper unsigned Study of Nude Figures

    Est.
    $75 - $150
  • Unframed Sketch on paper unsigned Study of Nude Figures
    Estimate
    $75 - $150

    Unframed Sketch on paper unsigned Study of Nude Figures

    Est.
    $75 - $150
  • 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
  • John Dearman, Victorian Home
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,600

    John Dearman, Victorian Home

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,600
    6 Bids
    Sold for
    $450
  • Reveau Bassett, Bluebonnet Farm
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $3,500

    Reveau Bassett, Bluebonnet Farm

    Est.
    $1,500 - $3,500
    19 Bids
    Sold for
    $2,750
  • Carl Rice Embrey, (4) Pencil Studies
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200
  • 4 Enrico Glicenstein Towers of Chicago Watercolor and Pastels
    Estimate
    $150 - $300

    4 Enrico Glicenstein Towers of Chicago Watercolor and Pastels

    Est.
    $150 - $300
  • Tom Lea, "Goring", 1947
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000

    Tom Lea, "Goring", 1947

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
    4 Bids
    Sold for
    $8,500
  • Robert Daughters, Southwestern Landscape
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000
  • 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
  • Tasha Tudor Sketches
    Estimate
    $500 - $5

    Tasha Tudor Sketches

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

    Group of Two Sketches, Mexico

    Est.
    $250 - $350
  • Guillaume Azoulay- Original Drawing on Paper "Preliminary sketch GAAD (line work sketch for the etching)"
    Estimate
    $3,600 - $4,500

    Guillaume Azoulay- Original Drawing on Paper "Preliminary sketch GAAD (line work sketch for the etching)"

    Est.
    $3,600 - $4,500
  • Guillaume Azoulay- Original Drawing on Paper "Preliminary sketch GAAD (line work sketch for the etching)"
    Estimate
    $3,200 - $4,000

    Guillaume Azoulay- Original Drawing on Paper "Preliminary sketch GAAD (line work sketch for the etching)"

    Est.
    $3,200 - $4,000
  • Goldie Lipson Sketch
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Goldie Lipson Sketch

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • Guillaume Azoulay- Original Drawing on Paper "Preliminary sketch GAAD (line work sketch for the etching)"
    Estimate
    $3,200 - $4,000

    Guillaume Azoulay- Original Drawing on Paper "Preliminary sketch GAAD (line work sketch for the etching)"

    Est.
    $3,200 - $4,000
  • Architectural Barn Sketch
    Estimate
    $50 - $75

    Architectural Barn Sketch

    Est.
    $50 - $75
  • Original Henry Moore Sketch - Signed
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $3,000

    Original Henry Moore Sketch - Signed

    Est.
    $1,000 - $3,000
  • Architectural Barn Sketch
    Estimate
    $50 - $75

    Architectural Barn Sketch

    Est.
    $50 - $75
  • Architectural Barn Sketch
    Estimate
    $50 - $75

    Architectural Barn Sketch

    Est.
    $50 - $75
  • Group of Architectural Sketches
    Estimate
    $100 - $200

    Group of Architectural Sketches

    Est.
    $100 - $200
  • SIR ALFRED MUNNINGS SKETCH
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    SIR ALFRED MUNNINGS SKETCH

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Pietro Annigoni Sketch
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Pietro Annigoni Sketch

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • W.R. Leigh, sketch
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000

    W.R. Leigh, sketch

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
  • Maynard Dixon, sketch
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000

    Maynard Dixon, sketch

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000