{"id":3150,"date":"2024-02-01T11:30:13","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T11:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/?p=3150"},"modified":"2024-02-28T13:43:49","modified_gmt":"2024-02-28T13:43:49","slug":"common-mistakes-beginners-make-learning-to-urban-sketch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbansketchingworld.com\/common-mistakes-beginners-make-learning-to-urban-sketch\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Mistakes Beginners Make Learning to Urban Sketch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Urban sketching is such an accessible form of artistic expression and one that is exploding in popularity. But beginners often encounter certain common mistakes. Here are some of them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overthinking and Perfectionism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mistake: Trying to create a perfect and detailed sketch on the first attempt.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I think we are ALL guilty of wanting everything we do to be amazing, firstly for our own satisfaction but possibly to impress others? To hear them “ooh” and “aah”? Perhaps we don’t like admitting that the approval of others is important to us – but it’s human nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution:<\/strong> Embrace imperfections and focus on capturing the essence of the scene. Sketching is about expression, not perfection.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The thing that had the most impact on my sketching and that helped me turn a corner was when I simply learned to “let go”. I talked about it extensively when I launched my first online course, Sketch Your Adventures<\/a><\/strong>.
You can check out the mini-series here.<\/a>
And you can check out my online course, Sketch Your Adventures, below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you want to learn how to sketch your own adventures in ink & watercolour?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

GET 50% OFF FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY!!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I will show you my exact sketching process in ink and watercolour<\/strong>. I have travelled around the world in the last 3 years and this is my go-to system of creating beautiful yet quirky illustrations to capture the magic of my discoveries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will work through 3 projects, step by step<\/strong> (pictured below), all of which are real-life examples of things I have sketched along my travels. I provide the photo references you can work from.
We will start by choosing a composition, laying in the initial pencil sketch, adding ink lines, layering watercolour and adding the final touches.
This and much more are included in my course, Sketch Your Adventures<\/a><\/strong>, click the button under the image to find out more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sketch<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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FIND OUT MORE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Ignoring Basic Drawing Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mistake:<\/strong> Neglecting fundamental drawing skills like perspective, proportion, and composition.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When you are learning to draw, I highly recommend starting from the start. I see a lot of people jump right into urban sketching and choosing very complex scenes. Of course, they are unable to capture what they see to any level of satisfaction and then they get disheartened. This can make some people give up altogether, which is a real shame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution:<\/strong> Invest time in practising basic drawing techniques to improve the overall quality of your sketches.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When I decided I would like to learn to draw in my mid-twenties I purchased a book called Keys to Drawing<\/a> by Bert Dodson. I got some cheap sketching paper and some graphite pencils and I worked my way through that book. It was the best choice I could have made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst, I wasn’t amazing at drawing by any stretch of the imagination, I had a solid foundation on which to build. I continued to just draw way before I even considered painting or touching watercolours. This is something I will talk more about a little later in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another popular book people use when learning to draw is Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain<\/a> by Betty Edwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using the Wrong Materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mistake:<\/strong> Starting with too many or too few materials, or using materials that are difficult to control.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Again, so many beginners opt to jump straight into using watercolours when they decide to take up urban sketching. Watercolours can be unwieldy for beginners and take some to get used to. If you aren’t yet up and running with drawing, then jumping straight into painting with watercolour can be a bridge too far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution:<\/strong> Begin with a small set of essential materials, such as a sketchbook, pen, and pencil. Gradually experiment with more tools as you gain confidence.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I would advise all beginners to start with just pencil, or ink. Get to grips with drawing first. Once you can draw some scenes to your satisfaction then it’s time to fall down the rabbit hole of watercolour, or any other medium for that matter. It doesn’t have to be watercolour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focussing on drawing with just lines is a foundational skill. Moving into adding colour, whether with paint or coloured pencils, markers or crayons, is an entirely different skill. There is much to learn and discover but take your time and enjoy the journey. I am still. learning all the time. Every time I sketch in fact. But that is the absolute fun of it. If we could master something like drawing\/painting\/sketching in a matter of days then it would be pretty dull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not Considering Light and Shadow<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mistake:<\/strong> Ignoring the importance of light and shadow in urban scenes.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Capturing light and shadow is where the real magic comes in. I think ignoring it at first while you master drawing in proportion and perspective is probably wise. But once you start to add tone, whether it’s with a pencil, pen or colour then you can give your sketch some depth and some life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solution:<\/strong> Pay attention to the direction of light and shadows, as they add depth and dimension to your sketches. Experiment with shading techniques.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When urban sketching, choose a subject that has some very obvious shadows. Sketching in the morning \/ afternoon and avoiding midday when the sun is directly overhead is a great tip to help you find something with strong shadows. Be smart when you are choosing something to draw. Find something that’s not too tricky. For example, a church tower that has some nice straight lines and probably casts simple strong shadows as opposed to a classical statue of a person riding a horse or something like that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exaggerate the shadows and highlights in your scene. Consider leaving the white of the page wherever the sun is hitting your subject and shade in the shadow areas super dark. This will bring strong contrast to your sketch and make it look super dynamic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neglecting Negative Space<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mistake:<\/strong> Filling the page without considering the impact of leaving negative space around and between things.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I would say leaving negative space is edging into more of an intermediate skill but if you can keep it in mind as a beginner then you are going to be ahead of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m super interested in minimalist urban sketching, where sketchers often use a lot of white space and leave things unsaid (or “undrawn”) to draw more even more focus to the story they’re telling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are interested in finding out more about ‘minimalist’ urban sketching, I have a video here introducing you to some of my favourite sketchers who use negative space to maximum effect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/youtu.be\/kmfh0-EKxD8<\/a>