Pack up your materials, leave your painting inhibitions behind and step outside with Barry Herniman, ready to sketch.

Fun, friendly and practical, this handbook is jam-packed with tips and brimming with answers to questions such as: What should I take? Where should I go? What medium should I use? Where can I find inspiration?

This is a handy book you will keep close by for reference time and again. It is full of inspiring artwork as well as five demos: a coastal scene in pen and ink; a countryside panorama in watercolour; a quintessential English village in gouache; a townscape in line and watercolour wash; and trees in watercolour pencils.

What comes across in every detail is the joy Barry experiences when he's sketching outside: it's contagious! He encourages you to absorb your surroundings, be aware of the input from your senses and have a go at capturing the moment in sketch. He addresses the challenges and opportunities you will face as an artist and teaches you to understand the importance of a sketchbook. Enjoyment is key – shake off peer pressure and your own expectations and enter the exhilarating world of sketching outdoors.