ROVING JAY

On Day Six of my people sketching challenge, I sketched people in a café, and considered how to find the story I want to tell. I also sketched people at the till in a supermarket.

On day five of the people sketching challenge, I sketched from a video and share a creative tracker that helped to focus creative intentions and activities. I also did the Earthsworld Portrait Challenge.

In day four of the #Kick365 challenge, I focused on an Earthsworld portrait and a clothing folds tutorial. I also did a tribute sketch of the poet Benjamin Zephaniah.

On day three of the #Kick365 sketching challenge, I explored sketching people with ink and watercolor while practicing portrait techniques. I experimented with skin tones and adopted a new approach to drawing portraits by prioritising overall outlines. Drawing Earthsworld Challenge Portrait, and Live Zoom Portrait session with Dylan.

The start of my new 365 day sketching challenge, where I’m focusing on Sketching People in Ink and Watercolour. Here’s the first two days, with tips on where to find inspiration for people sketches. Some Drawing Earthsworld Challenge Portraits and a local urban sketch of people.

New beginnings. A fresh start to building skills for urban sketching people by putting a methodical plan in place for sketching focal point people, supporting character people, and background shapes for context and scale.

How to use watercolour backgrounds in your sketches to supplement the story you’re trying to convey.

The post promotes live online portrait drawing sessions, emphasizing their benefits for developing observation skills and hand-eye coordination. It provides a schedule for various sessions hosted by artists like Chloe Briggs, Dylan Sara, and Kirsty Lockhart, detailing the days, times, and costs associated with each session.

A roundup of the Draw This In Your Style challenges I attempted this week including a couple of floral adorned buildings.

Back to gesture drawing with short timed poses from Gesture Drawing Party on YouTube. Good practice for Urban Sketching.

What is Ink and Wash style of urban sketching and where can you go to find inspiration for developing your line and wash style.

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