Here’s some tips for practicing sketching small and tiny figures to include in your urban sketches to add a sense of scale and context to the scene. Limiting your canvas size helps you to practice reducing the level of detail necessary. I created a list of tips that can be incorporated into your practice sessions, and share some of the challenges I encountered to help you resolve some of the hurdles you may face when sketching these tiny figures.

A recap of my first urban sketching event with the Algarve group at the Tavira Market, where we were sketching scenes to be used at the Mediterranean Diet Festival later in the year. I also did some colour mixing to create a complimentary and cohesive colour to depict Tavira stone on the local buildings.

More people sketches for my one week 100 challenge 2021. I sketched figures on public transport, at cafes and at the local farmer’s market. I also had a go at a bit of reportage.

My Sketcher Spotlight on urban sketcher Suhita Shirodkar, and a review of her figure sketching made simple class. Looking at line of action, drawing verbs, and exaggerating gestures. It’s all about identifying shapes, and making your figures expressive and loose

A collection of people I’ve encountered and sketched during my walks around Culver City in May.

The beginning of my Kick in the Creatives 365 day sketching challenge. Where I’m committing to sketching people for a year. In this first batch of sketches I eased myself into this challenge by doing blind contour portraits in pencil, and finished off with some line detail and watercolour. With a lot of accentuated (and comical) teeth.

Here’s two key elements to master when you’re drawing groups of people in an urban sketch.

A collection of people I’ve encountered and sketched during my walks around Culver City in April.

Watch this 10 minute YouTube video about How to Paint Watercolour Figures hosted by Paul Apps

Suhita Shirodkar is a self-confessed obsessive sketcher, and she’s graciously allowed me to feature her watercolour on my Bodrum Peninsula Travel Guide site.