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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  • Style of Pablo Picasso: Collection of 5 Caricature Sketches
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000

    Style of Pablo Picasso: Collection of 5 Caricature Sket...

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $2,800
  • George Cruickshank: Small Sketch of a Soldier
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    George Cruickshank: Small Sketch of a Soldier

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $175
  • 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
  • Guillaume Azoulay, "Sketch D" Framed Original Pen and Ink Drawing with Hand Laid Goldleaf, Hand Signed with Letter of Authenticity
    Estimate
    $6,360 - $7,950

    Guillaume Azoulay, "Sketch D" Framed Original Pen and I...

    Est.
    $6,360 - $7,950
    Robinhood Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $765
  • 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
    500 Gallery
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,200
  •  Thomas Hart Benton Sketch of Thomas Hibben (ca. 1933)
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $3,000

    Thomas Hart Benton Sketch of Thomas Hibben (ca. 1933)

    Est.
    $2,000 - $3,000
    Circle Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,000
  • 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
  • European Pastel Sketch on Paper, Ca. Late 19th C., "Man in a Bowler Hat", H 4.75" W 3.5"
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    European Pastel Sketch on Paper, Ca. Late 19th C., "Man...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  •  Otto Dill Sketch of Two Horses and a Rider
    Estimate
    $100 - $150

    Otto Dill Sketch of Two Horses and a Rider

    Est.
    $100 - $150
    Circle Auction
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $50
  • William Oberhardt (American, 1882-1958) Ink Drawing on Cardstock, "Cowboy on Horseback"
    Estimate
    $250 - $500

    William Oberhardt (American, 1882-1958) Ink Drawing on ...

    Est.
    $250 - $500
    DuMouchelles
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $125
  • Philip Pearlstein (attrib.), (3) graphite drawings
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Philip Pearlstein (attrib.), (3) graphite drawings

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Millea Bros. Ltd.
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Otto Dix, German, (1891-1969)
    Estimate
    CAD$8,000 - CAD$10,000 $5,839.42 - $7,299.27

    Otto Dix, German, (1891-1969)

    Est.
    CAD$8,000 - CAD$10,000 $5,839.42 - $7,299.27
    Harrington's Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    CAD$5,000$3,649.64
  • 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
  • Simka Simkhovitch "Mural Study Justice" Watercolor
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Simka Simkhovitch "Mural Study Justice" Watercolor

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Auctions at Showplace
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $100
  • Arthur Bowen Davies, American 1862-1928, Freda, Pencil Sketch
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Arthur Bowen Davies, American 1862-1928, Freda, Pencil ...

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • Guillaume Azoulay, "Rising Sun Sketch AZO" Framed Original Drawing with Gold Leaf, Hand Signed with Letter of Authenticity.
    Estimate
    $4,800 - $6,000

    Guillaume Azoulay, "Rising Sun Sketch AZO" Framed Origi...

    Est.
    $4,800 - $6,000
  • Vincent van Gogh Attributed: Ink Sketch of Houses
    Estimate
    $10,000 - $25,000

    Vincent van Gogh Attributed: Ink Sketch of Houses

    Est.
    $10,000 - $25,000
  • Style of Pablo Picasso: Visage de Faune
    Estimate
    $5,000 - $7,500

    Style of Pablo Picasso: Visage de Faune

    Est.
    $5,000 - $7,500
  • Important Albert Sterner charcoal sketch, Symbolist, 'Nun and Nude'
    Price$650

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

  • Stefan Davidek (American, B. 1942) 1958, "Sketch from Haystack Mountain", H 15.5" W 22"
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Stefan Davidek (American, B. 1942) 1958, "Sketch from H...

    Est.
    $300 - $500
  • James Mahlon Rosen (American, 1933-2023) Pencil Sketch on Paper 1963, "Study of Man", H 3.7" W 5"
    Estimate
    $100 - $150

    James Mahlon Rosen (American, 1933-2023) Pencil Sketch ...

    Est.
    $100 - $150
  • Two Male Nudes
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Two Male Nudes

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • Two Male Nudes
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Two Male Nudes

    Est.
    $5 - $500
  • Illegibly Signed Nude Boy Pencil on Paper
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Illegibly Signed Nude Boy Pencil on Paper

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • Martin Lewis "View from Hell Gate Bridge" Pencil
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $2,000

    Martin Lewis "View from Hell Gate Bridge" Pencil

    Est.
    $1,000 - $2,000
  • (SEGONZAC, ANDRÉ DUNOYER DE.) Giraudoux, Jean. Le Sport. etchings, drawing .
    Price$650

    (SEGONZAC, ANDRÉ DUNOYER DE.) Giraudoux, Jean. Le Sport...

  • Whimsical Amorous Ink Drawing by Louis Bosa "In the Brothel" #2
    Price$175

    Whimsical Amorous Ink Drawing by Louis Bosa "In the Bro...

  • Whimsical Amorous Ink Drawing by Louis Bosa "In the Brothel" #4
    Price$175

    Whimsical Amorous Ink Drawing by Louis Bosa "In the Bro...

  • Whimsical Amorous Ink Drawing by Louis Bosa "In the Brothel" #1
    Price$175

    Whimsical Amorous Ink Drawing by Louis Bosa "In the Bro...

  • Whimsical Amorous Ink Drawing by Louis Bosa "In the Brothel" #3
    Price$175

    Whimsical Amorous Ink Drawing by Louis Bosa "In the Bro...

  • Jervis McEntee Pencil Sketch Mountain Sketch 1858
    Estimate
    $100 - $1,000

    Jervis McEntee Pencil Sketch Mountain Sketch 1858

    Est.
    $100 - $1,000
  • Charcoal Sketch
    Estimate
    $5 - $500

    Charcoal Sketch

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

    Tasha Tudor Sketch

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

    Tasha Tudor Sketches

    Est.
    $500 - $5
  • 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 "Prelimina...

    Est.
    $3,200 - $4,000
  • 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 "Prelimina...

    Est.
    $3,600 - $4,500
  • 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
  • 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 "Prelimina...

    Est.
    $3,200 - $4,000
  • 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
  • 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
  •  caucasian Sketch of three Soldiers.
    Estimate
    $100 - $150

    caucasian Sketch of three Soldiers.

    Est.
    $100 - $150
  • UNTITLED SKETCH OF A WOMAN
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,000

    UNTITLED SKETCH OF A WOMAN

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,000