{"id":1639,"date":"2022-07-20T08:48:30","date_gmt":"2022-07-20T08:48:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/?p=1639"},"modified":"2024-03-30T11:06:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-30T11:06:09","slug":"everything-you-need-to-start-urban-sketching","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/everything-you-need-to-start-urban-sketching\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you NEED to Start Urban Sketching"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So, you’ve heard of urban sketching and you want to give it a go. You know that the essence is sketching from life, out on location but now what? What do you need to get started with urban sketching? What are the best art supplies for urban sketching?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To get started with urban sketching you need a few basic supplies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a minimum, you need paper and a drawing implement but let\u2019s build a little further on this and see what the most essential things are to get started specifically for urban sketching with ink and watercolour<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is the list of things I am going to cover at a very high level. This is meant to be an overview and not an in-depth discussion on each item otherwise we may be here for the rest of the day. If you would like to dig deeper on specific supplies I shall highlight where I have more detailed articles available, such as on sketchbooks, brushes and watercolour sets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basic art supplies you need for ink and watercolour urban sketching<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Sketchbook – I have a round-up of sketchbooks I have tried and recommend that you can read here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Pencil <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Pen (with waterproof ink)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Watercolour set<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Brushes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Accessories: cloth, eraser, small pot for water, water spray<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Optional extras: black brush pen, white gel pen<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Everything I am about to say is based on my own personal experience and opinions. It’s meant as a starting point for those of you who are just setting off on their sketchy adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Speaking of which, if you to learn how to produce quirky ink and watercolour sketches (like those in the picture below) of the stuff around you or that you encounter on your travels, head over to sketchyouradventures.com<\/strong><\/a>.
    I take you step-by-step on how to sketch in this style. I really believe it’s one of the most in-depth no-nonsense courses out there and you will be up and running in no time. There’s also some bonus content too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Want to learn travel sketching in ink & watercolour?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


    Check out my course, Sketch Your Adventures and for a limited time get 50% OFF!!!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
    \"Sketch<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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    FIND OUT MORE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Ink & watercolour starter kit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Etchr has this great starter set<\/a><\/strong>, while it\u2019s not specifically aimed at urban sketching, it does cover a lot of the categories I just mentioned. You get an A5 cold-press watercolour block, 6 individual half-pans of watercolour paint, 3 watercolour brushes in sizes 6, 12 & 1\/2, and two fineliner pens, one with a size 05 nib and one with a brush-tip. Also included is a watercolour guide with instructions on different techniques you can try and a mixing guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    If you would like more information on the art supplies I use and recommend, head over to my Recommended Stuff<\/a><\/strong> page. In addition to art supplies I share my favourite books and courses too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Sketchbooks for urban sketching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    I started with an A6 Moleskine. It was ok but I would HIGHLY recommend using something bigger, such as an A5 size (like this one<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A6 is just too small to be able to fit anything in with any amount of detail. It\u2019s good for portability, you can slip it into your pocket. And it\u2019s ok for sketching singular items or very basic landscapes but for anything else, you just won\u2019t have enough room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You do not need 100% cotton paper. These books are expensive and you will be scared to use them. I recommend sketchbooks by Pink Pig<\/a>, Seawhite of Brighton<\/a> or Hahnemuhle<\/a> to get started. They are affordable but with good solid paper (around 200gsm) for ink and watercolour sketching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Check out my Seawhite of Brighton A5 watercolour sketchbook tour in the video below:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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    https:\/\/youtu.be\/-7bowRJghRY<\/a>