Mike Daikubara

Sketch Now, Think Later

Jump Into Urban Sketching with Limited Time, Tools, and Techniques

$18.99

Published October 2017 by Quarry Books.
112 pages.
Softcover edition in English.
Note: The first 100 copies sold include a custom-printed bookmark, signed by the author.

Develop a daily sketching practice without overthinking the process!

A sketchbook with hand-drawn illustrations rests on a wooden surface next to a pen and a book titled "Sketch Now, Think Later." A clear plastic tube is also visible nearby.

A Pocket Sketching Guide

Sketch Now, Think Later is small pocket guide by artist Mike Daikubara filled with tools, techniques, and tips for daily sketching, and is one edition in the Urban Sketching Handbook Series, a collection of compact references on creative techniques and on-location tips and advice. In this approachable and conversational book, Mike provides a framework for making the most of a situation with limited time and with limited supplies. Bold headings capture major concepts, highlighting process over perfection. Find inspiration and practical advice for capturing what you see through ink and watercolor without overthinking the process.

A man wearing a straw hat and glasses smiles while holding an art sketchbook and watercolor palette. He stands in front of a restaurant with a large crab sign and a busy street filled with people.

About the Author

Mike Daikubara is an artist, designer, and author who has published numerous books on urban sketching. Two of his books, Sketch Now, Think Later and Color First, Ink Later, are instructional and draw on his vast experience sketching on-location from direct observation.

He first began carrying a sketchbook in 2000 to help him communicate better and faster at his day job as a designer. Now, he sketches daily to see, understand, and enjoy the world around him!

Mike is Japanese-American and grew up in Tokyo and New York City, attending an international school with kids from all over the world. For the past 25 years, he has worked as an Industrial Designer in various industries, such as Cosmetics, Consumer Electronics, and Household Appliances. Mike currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Kana, and their two Bengal cats, Tenten and Totora.

Learn about Mike’s work at daikubara.com.

An illustration showing a recipe for "Super Fluffy" pancakes. It features labeled ingredients like flour, egg yolk, and mixing instructions, along with a bowl and pancake topped with fresh berries.

Past Demos

Sketch Now, Think Later

Follow along as Mike Daikubara and Maria Coryell-Martin sketch breakfast and talk about Mike’s book, Sketch Now, Think Later. In this demo from September 2020, Mike shares his favorite tools and gives a demo sketch of “Super Fluffy Pancakes.”

Watch Here

A colorful sketch depicting a rustic bar setting. Glass jars filled with reddish liquid line a wooden counter. In the foreground, a plate with a circular dish garnished with greenery rests atop a green leaf. A stylized deer painting hangs on the wall in the background.

Art Toolkit Blog

Late Spring Workshop Participants Share Their Art

We love seeing what you create during our workshops, and to celebrate the end of the series, we pulled together participant art from each workshop. In Mike Daikubara’s workshop, participants sketched and painted a scene from a cozy café, right alongside Mike as he shared his process step by step. Mike is an easygoing instructor full of tips and tricks to break down an overwhelming scene for the learning artist. We loved seeing seeing everyone’s different sketches from his workshop!⁠

See Art