Make (Sneaky) Art: and other ideas to build your sketchbook habit

by Nishant Jain

Overview

Observe your world through the pages of a sketchbook and find art in the everyday moments of ordinary life.

How would life change if, whenever you found a free moment, you reached for a sketchbook instead of your phone? Make (Sneaky) Art is not just a guide to drawing on location; it is a way to actively engage with our world and reclaim our attention spans.

After moving to the United States, author Nishant Jain began carrying a sketchbook to better understand his new world and learn to draw. Hesitant to do “this silly thing” in public, he developed a practice of sneaky art—making quick, secret sketches from observation inside a small sketchbook. Make (Sneaky) Art is the culmination of this journey of self-education—to become an artist and a more mindful observer of the world.

In this book, you will find:

• Techniques to draw your environment: Learn to draw as a way to be present in your world, free from the distractions of devices and notifications.
• Ideas to overcome your imposter syndrome: Let go of the baggage that prevents you from following your creative instincts.
• Tips to sustain a lifelong sketchbook habit: Integrate sketching into your daily routine, wherever it takes you.

Today is the day to begin the visual journal of your life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780760394199
Publisher:	Quarry Books
Publication date:	09/23/2025
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Nishant Jain, also known as The Sneaky Artist, is an artist, writer, and former neuroscience student who left his PhD program to pursue art and writing full-time. His unique approach to “sneaky sketching” has resonated with fans around the world, inspiring them to capture their surroundings quietly and authentically. Through his workshops, newsletter, The SneakyArt Podcast, and social media, Nishant shares his love for observing and documenting life in real time, encouraging artists to embrace simplicity and find joy in small, daily sketches.

Instagram: @thesneakyartist

Website: sneakyartist.com

Editorial Reviews

"Nishant’s delightfully sophisticated drawings of tiny people and places will inspire you to pick up a sketchbook and start paying attention to the world around you. You don’t have to worry about making good drawings. All you need to do is start making lines."

—Gabriel Campanario, Founder of Urban Sketchers

"Nishant’s drawings capture the quiet beauty of humanity with simple, fluid lines, his pen barely lifting from the page. Through his work—and his thoughtful writing—he reminds us of the power in truly seeing one another. In today’s fast-paced, competitive world, his perspective feels especially profound, revealing the shared connections that unite us all."

—Samantha Dion Baker, author of the Draw your Day book series

"Nishant Jain has encouraged thousands of people to pick up a pen and draw for the first time. Now he's gathered his stories, insight, and advice into one delightful and endlessly inspiring volume. A sketchbook habit is the very best sort of habit to acquire, and Make (Sneaky) Art is the place to start."

—Amy Stewart, artist and author of The Tree Collectors: Tales of Arboreal Obsession

From the Publisher