Whether you are new to urban sketching or have a good deal of experience, thumbnail sketching can be a worthwhile technique for improving the quality of your work. Thumbnail sketches allow you as the artist to experiment with the composition and perspective of a scene, modifying factors to help you give a larger sketch that […]
Thumbnail Sketches for Urban Sketching: Why and How? Read More »
Following on from my post about different urban sketching styles and how to achieve them I thought we should delve deeper into how I found my own style which in turn may help you to go about finding your own urban sketching style. After a number of years, I think I may have found and
How I Found My Urban Sketching Style (& How to Find Yours) Read More »
When I started getting interested in urban sketching one of the things I noticed is that sketching styles varied so greatly. I was in awe of the way a similar object or scene could be interpreted so differently by different sketchers. Looking at the world through the lens of urban sketchers fascinated me. As you
Urban Sketching Styles and How to Achieve Them Read More »
Which are the best urban sketching courses for your money – online, in-person or even an entire holiday?! I love taking courses. I love learning stuff. I love urban sketching. I’m always looking for a way to learn new techniques or just raise my skills in general so here is a round-up of the best
A Round-Up of Urban Sketching Courses & Classes Read More »
There aren’t any podcasts exclusively about urban sketching…yet. (EDIT: as of September 2020, there is!!! See below for more information). However, below is a round-up of some of the podcasts that cover the wider topics of drawing, sketching, illustration, art and creativity. Now and again, there is the odd episode that is solely about urban
Urban Sketching Podcasts to Listen to Now Read More »
Before the corona-crazy set in, I had a trip planned across eastern Europe, from Hungary up to Estonia, across to Finland, over to Russia and back down again, ending in Germany with a week-long sketching course with Ian Fennelly at the end of August. However, I don’t think that will be happening now. If you
How to Plan the Ultimate Urban Sketching Trip Read More »
Reportage illustration is a type of visual journalism. Reportage illustrators sketch on location to tell a specific story. The illustrator conveys a narrative and reports a specific moment in time to the audience, much like a journalist. The central premise of reportage illustration is storytelling. “Reportage illustration is the art of recording real events and
What is Reportage Illustration? Read More »
Urban Sketching, Mental Health & Mindfulness In a world where norms are everchanging, where we are overloaded with pressure seemingly applied from every direction (including our own minds) and where technology shapes and reshapes our experience constantly, we are increasingly more aware of the prevalence of mental health issues across all sectors of society and
Urban Sketching and Mindfulness Read More »
Ok, let’s just clear this up. It’s scary drawing in public. People can actually see you, drawing…and judge you. Scary. At first. Then…you get used to it, I promise. And then, it’s not scary at all. It just feels like a normal thing to do. People aren’t judging you. They probably don’t even notice you. Ouch.
How to Sketch in Public: Overcoming the Fear Read More »
Many urban sketchers choose to sketch with a fountain pen, rather than a fineliner, such as a Micron or UniPin. I always wondered why this was when I started out. I thought it was a bit eccentric, to be honest. Surely it couldn’t be easy to draw with a fountain pen? Why Sketch With a
Sketching with a fountain pen – why, how and which one? Read More »
