My Urban Sketching Journey
I've been drawing and painting for a while, but my journey into urban sketching has been a gradual one. I'm still learning, experimenting and figuring out what works for me. This is where I'll share some of that journey — the things I'm learning, the supplies I use, and the discoveries that keep me interested in putting pencil and brush to paper.
How I Got Started
My journey into drawing and painting really began when I retired a couple of years ago. I started by taking a couple of online drawing courses, and before long I found myself looking for a way to add colour to my drawings. That's what eventually led me to watercolour, and from there it's been a real adventure. One of the things I've found surprisingly difficult is developing a style of my own. There are so many great artists out there, and I follow about 120 of them. It's easy to see something I like and want to try it myself. The problem is that I'm often changing my approach, trying to decide which style suits me best, rather than letting my own abilities and instincts guide me toward a style naturally. I'm still figuring that part out.
Finding My Way
I've experimented with quite a few approaches along the way. I follow a lot of artists whose work I admire, and each one seems to offer something different that I want to try. That's been both inspiring and, at times, a little confusing. I can find myself changing direction simply because I like the way another artist works. I'm learning that developing a style isn't necessarily about choosing one artist or one particular look. It's probably more about continuing to draw and paint, trying different things, and eventually discovering what feels natural to me. I'm still a long way from having that figured out, but I'm enjoying the process.
Learning From Other Artists
I've watched loads of YouTube videos and taken quite a few courses along the way. I've worked through courses on Udemy and Domestika, as well as learning from artists who have their own websites. Scott Swinson, Sheri Blaukopf, and Ian Findlay are just a few of the artists I've learned from and followed.
There is something I really enjoy about seeing how another artist approaches a subject. Even when I don't end up using their particular style, I usually come away with something I've learned or a different way of looking at my own work. With so many artists to learn from, there's certainly never a shortage of ideas!
Where I Am Now
Right now, one of the things I'm struggling with most is perfection. I'm learning that urban sketching isn't about trying to include every detail or getting everything exactly right. It's about deciding what matters and leaving out what doesn't. That's easier said than done!
I'm also trying to loosen up my line work and become a little less concerned with making every line perfect. At the moment, I'm following Sketching Scottie and really enjoying his approach. I'm experimenting with some of the things I'm learning from him and seeing what feels right for me.
I think that's probably where I am in my journey right now — learning to simplify, loosen up, and trust my own instincts a little more.
Still Learning
I don't know exactly where this journey will take me, and that's part of what makes it enjoyable. I'm still experimenting, still learning, and still changing my approach. Maybe I'll eventually settle into a style that feels like my own, or maybe I'll always be trying something different. For now, I'm happy to keep sketching, keep learning, and see where it takes me.
A Recent Sketch — A House in Brighton
This was one of my more recent attempts at painting from a photograph. I enjoyed the subject, but it also reminded me how easy it is to get caught up in the details. I'm trying to learn when to simplify, what to leave out, and how to let the painting suggest rather than describe everything. It's a work in progress, just like my approach to urban sketching.
Where I Work
This is where most of my sketching and painting happens. It's not exactly a tidy artist's studio, but everything I use is within reach. Between the watercolours, brushes, pens, pencils and the occasional new acquisition, there's usually something on the desk waiting to be tried.
