ROVING JAY

A roundup of the Draw This In Your Style challenges I attempted this week.

An overview of the colours in my urban sketching palette and why they’re in there.

My third attempt at sketching the Musée des Augustins. I used a larger sketchbook, and took creative licence with the perspectives and colour palette.

Sketch of participants a the Open Mic Event in Tavira for the 2025 Festa dos Anos de Alvaro de Campos, where I performed a poem in Portuguese and English.

My first attempt at a loose sketch of Musée des Augustins in Toulouse. In this one I have a stronger focal point.

My first attempt at a loose sketch of Musée des Augustins in Toulouse. I share my palette and approach for creating this sketch.

Here’s some tips and inspiration when you’re looking to refine your urban sketching watercolour palette to create a set that will be useful in any scenario. I worked with Jane Blundell a colour triad and watercolour mixing aficionado, to revamp my palette, and create one that would work for the subjects I like to paint.

My sketches for Boatober 2025 Days 30 and 31. At the finish line, and this month has me feeling confident with sketching boats and water.

My sketches for Boatober 2025 Days 28. Another successful attempt at create the boat’s wake, and rendering the harbour wall in effective detail.

My sketches for Boatober 2025 Days 24 to 26. Sometimes when you take a risk with reality, it works out, and sometimes it fails!

My sketches for Boatober 2025 Days 19 to 23. More failures than successes, but learned some valuable lessons about switching out art materials.

Here’s some tips for sketching groups of people, without getting overwhelmed by the crowds and complexity in your scene.

My sketch for Boatober 2025 Day 18 and the special brush and four watercolours I used to create the rust effect

My sketch for Boatober 2025 Day 17 and how I created harmony between the sky, water, and foliage.

My sketch for Boatober 2025 Day 16 with step by step assessments for the pencil, ink, and watercolour stages.

My sketches for Boatober 2025 Day 15. Still being challenged by the water, but skies and composition are getting there.

My sketches for Boatober 2025 Day 11 to 14, some key learnings about making sure to highlight the focal point.

A day out at the Vila Real beach fair to sketch people, and using it to learn what art tools I actually need in my urban sketching kit.

Sketching often is the only way we’re going to improve. So here’s one tips from me and Jo about how we go about it.

My 2 sketches for Boatober 2025 Day 10, where the boat is a prop between a dramatic sky and beach.

My 2 sketches for Boatober 2025 Day 9, and my experimentation with using a limited palette.

My 2 sketches for Boatober 2025 Day 8, and my experimentation with splattering watercolour for skies.

My first 7 days of Boatober 2025 showcasing the 2 different versions I’ve created and what I’ve learned so far

Some ideas and inspiration for creating interesting sketchbook page layouts when urban sketching people.