I’ve started using my own handmade watercolour sketchbooks for my new 365 day Urban Sketching people challenge, and although I intended to just use the book for people sketches, I ended up doodling and sketching other random subjects and objects in it.
Some good. Some bad. Some artists only seem to post their best work, but that can be pretty intimidating to beginner artists. So I plan on sharing them all starting 2023, so that I can let you know what I learned from the one’s I don’t like.
No sketch is a wasted effort.
Double Page Spreads for Horizontal Sketches
The book is 12cm x 5cm, but some of my sketches are done using a double page spread. I really like this long narrow horizontal space for capturing a view. Whether you want to sketch buildings, your room or your desk. This layout works well for all of them.
Sketch Groups of People
I prefer sketching people live, but sketching from photographs or memory is an excellent way to hone your skills. So one of my favourite tasks is to create groups of people by combining figures from multiple sources.
Sketch your Art Table Objects
If you’re sitting at your art table and don’t know what to draw, you don’t have to look any further than what’s right in front of you. I frequently sketch my art table objects. They may not seem very interesting, but it’s a good exercise for training your hand eye coordination, which is really helpful when you’re urban sketching and have to look at the subject or object more than your paper. It’s also a good opportunity to experiment with different sketching or painting techniques, on sketches that you’re not too precious about.
Sketch your Shoes
A pile of shoes may not seem very inspiring and “what’s the point” – but I really like how the watercolour tiles turned out, and I can use this learning and experimentation in future sketches. Plus this was a good exercise to draw different perspectives.
Is it perfect? No! But we’re not going for perfection on these sketches, we’re just going for believable. Do you believe these are boots and shoes?
Job done!
Sketch your Surroundings
I’d love to draw boats and water really well, but this urban sketch of a boat is really not inspiring. But don’t throw away sketches you don’t like. Keep them to look back on, so you can see how far your creative skills have developed.
The only possible way is UP from here! And I’m starting with this tutorial from Toby Urban Sketch.
I’m living by the sea in a fishing village, so I’ve got ample opportunity to get plenty of practice.
Sketch your Drink
I was sketching people in a bar, but I wanted to switch it up, so sketched my drink and the backdrop of the bar shelves behind it. All good practice for creating a focal point and supporting objects, and improving your composition skills.
Doodling
I’ve always loved to doodle. When I had my corporate job I used to doodle in meetings. People thought I wasn’t paying attention, but it helped me to concentrate on what was being said. I’m a visual person, and if I didn’t doodle I’d have trouble focusing on all the words being spoken. But when I doodle, it really improved my listening skills. Odd, but true.
I don’t doodle nearly enough now. My people sketching activities have taken priority, but every now and then, when I’m not sure what to draw, I’ll start a doodle and see where it leads.
More Inspiration for Sketching your World
Make sure you follow Koosje Koene on YouTube – each week she shows Draw Tip Tuesday, which is a short reel to inspire you to get your art materials out and sketch things around you.
