Day 24 of sketching people. A quick and loose urban sketch of a boy waiting for his mum. And at night I attended the speed sketching portrait event with Dylan, and churned out some pretty consistent portraits within the 30 second to 6 minute time limit.

Day Twenty-Three of a 365-day people sketch challenge. Ventured to a cafe for some live sketching of people, and then joined the Drawing is Free speed sketching zoom session for some live portrait practice.

Day Twenty-One and Twenty-Two of a 365-day people sketch challenge. Only got around to the Earthsworld’s portrait challenge, and refining my approach by relying less on lines to denote changes in tone, and relying more heavily on the use of watercolour values.

Day Twenty of a 365-day people sketch challenge. Experimenting with a bright colour triad for the Earthsworld’s portrait challenge. A portrait of Oliver Hoeller to kick off my Colour Confidence Tutorials. And a Reportage sketch of a fond farewell at Faro Airport.

Day Nineteen of a 365-day people sketch challenge, supplementing my daily Earthsworld Challenge experiment with skin tones, with my first attendance of the Pencils4tea speed sketching event.

Four more days of a 365-day people sketch challenge. Using different styles for the Earthsworld Challenges, including a tonal study. Plus a travel journal sketch of people at the checkout during the pre-Christmas rush.

Refining my urban sketchers watercolour palette for 2026, by replacing Indigo Blue with Cobalt Blue. Exploring the way to mix replacements for my premixed greens. Discovering if I really have a use for my Phthalo Green.

So you’ve started your figures too long on the page, and you don’t have room to sketch the feet? It’s a common problem. Here’s a review of how to use ink lines and watercolour to approach the problem of running out of room at the bottom of the page when people sketches. My thoughts on which approach works best, and what doesn’t look good.

Day Fourteen of a 365-day people sketch challenge, exploring colour combinations and personal interpretations rather than exact replicas of reality. Plus sketches inspired by photos from Cordoba with dynamic focal points, and a speed sketching event.

In my ongoing 365 Day Challenge, I sketched during a trip to Córdoba, Spain. I sketched from photos. I explored different sketching styles, balancing detailed and loose, based on the urgency of the situation.

On Day Nine of the #Kick365 sketching challenge, I focused on a portrait from the Drawing Earthsworld Challenge. I used a triad of Opera Rose, Indian Red, and Cobalt Turquoise Light for skin tones. The outcome was a range of subtle colours with pleasing granulation

How I started my 10 minute daily people sketching practice, and some tips and inspiration for starting your own sketching habit.

What happens if you lost your way as an artist? It’s time to stop scrolling, and focus on your core interests.

Day 7 of the 365 day challenge doing two days of the Earthsworld Challenge. An emphasis on colour palettes for skin and hair colour, and creating colour harmony between the face and the clothing to ensure a clear focal point.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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