How to begin urban sketching - step by step
Urban sketching is incredibly popular. It's all about connecting with the place you are in. And others love to sketch as they travel or visit new places. But it can be intimidating sketch en plein air, or to put it more simply - in public. How do you get started? What happens if someone comes to look over your shoulder? Do you need lots of equipment for urban sketching? I thought I would try to answer all these questions and rather than do it from the comfort of my studio, I am inviting you to join me on location. This sketch took about 45 minutes to do. I've cut out a few little bits but it is pretty much step by step. I am sharing my process in this film. It's all about trying to capture lots of information quickly in case it rains, you freeze to death or someone parks a car in the way. The aim is not to get a perfect picture to put in a frame, but to enjoy the process and connect with the location.
Thanks to son Adam for helping with the filming. You cannot set up an overhead camera by yourself on location! He is my unofficial social-media-intern for the summer - see if you can spot his shadow.... Thanks to the guys in David Hunt Tools for offering me a bench to sit on!!
I am using a Hahnemuhle zig zag book (300gsm watercolour paper): tidd.ly/4eTXN3N (Jackson’s affiliate link) amzn.to/3RTtZKT (Amazon affiliate)
Rosa full pans: tidd.ly/3VWLaw8 (Jackson’s affiliate link) amzn.to/4bx87fd (Amazon)
Ohuhu Fineliners: amzn.to/3RZeSPV (Amazon affiliate link)
Tombow dual tip brush pens: tidd.ly/4cxnkOC or Amazon: amzn.to/3RYXtqy or pens from WHSmiths: www.whsmith.co.uk
I really enjoy quick sketches and it is just not the same if you work from a photo in the studio. You might also like this outside sketch I did last year: • How to begin urban ske...
Urban Sketching is reportage - it's drawing or painting on location in the cities, towns, or villages that you live in and travel to. You are capturing a moment in time in a unique way. I saw this lovely quote from Roisin Cure "The essence of an urban sketch is that its primary function is not to be beautiful, but to capture what it feels like to be human. This could be in a man-made building, the hand of man on the landscape, or human beings in action, wherever they are or whatever they are doing."
If you want to have a go at this scene, I will put a picture on the community tab on this channel. I would love to see what you do.
Every like and comment tells KZread to show this to more people, so please jump in. If you really, really like this content and want to support me you can donate at Kofi. I have just set it up at: ko-fi.com/lizchadertonartist
Don't forget I run a Facebook group which is a great place to meet other artists, get tips and to share your work. You can join here: / watercolourstudiowithl...
If you are interested in learning more about line and wash, I have a really comprehensive course over at www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk/... and my book Line and Wash Painting is available from The Crowood Press and online book shops worldwide.
Of course you can use whatever materials you like to sketch with, but pen and watercolour are very popular, because of the speed you can work at and also that the kit is light and portable, so that you can do a quick sketch while waiting in the car or sitting drinking a coffee. Give it a go and you will see the world in a different light.
Going out sketching on your own can be intimidating. So maybe sitting in a coffee shop is a good place to start and having your back to a wall so no one can look over your shoulder, also helps! Most people are just impressed you are doing it. If they are a painter, they will be supportive and if they aren't an artist, well they will wish they were. So try not to care what people think! There are urban sketch groups around the world, usually organised through Facebook, so there's safety in numbers and perhaps you could go out with them - just search your local area.
#sketchwithliz #urbansketching #lineandwash
Пікірлер: 75
Liz, I could happily watch you paint a garbage can, you are a WONDERFUL teacher and inspiration! 👏👏👍👍
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Oh thank you! funnily enough I was sitting by a bin in the gutter!
@nancylemon4120
Ай бұрын
@@LizChadertonArt that’s TOO FUNNY 😂😂😂
Liz, I’m interested in drawing in pen and following w watercolor. Some sources of examples other YT teachers) are so exact I’m not shooting for that. Your sketches remind me of how the inside of my head feels! (Meaning, I’m going to watch loads of you tutorials so I can be like you when I grow up.) I’m 64! Thanks for bringing yourself and your work to the tube.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
does that mean I have to grow up too??
I have driven past that building a hundred times but would never have thought of it as a subject for a painting. Just shows what an excellent eye you have.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
I just love how incongruous it is. I like the Square Deal cafe next door too….
Am enjoying this very much, thanks Liz.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
So glad!
I love your sneakers!!!.... And how your work turned out! Love!
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Thank you!
Thank you that was very helpful.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
I really like the sketchyness of it and the use of lighter colours.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
oh good - it’s meant to be light hearted
Thank you Liz, great video,😊
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! I was very embarrassed filming in public!
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Thank you ❤
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love this Liz - your urban sketches always have a wonderful aliveness and immediacy to them - Thank You!❤️
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
that’s the joy of sketching outside!
Liz, I had to come back and say,after watching you. I did my first urban sketch. I'd really been struggling with even starting sketching. You just made it look so interesting easy, so I did it. Thank you
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
that is so good to hear… do keep going 😊
I love that you went and spoke to the shop before you started. So many people don’t bother and it’s kind of creepy when it’s an inhabited building in this way.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
I also needed to buy some pipe clips, but they didn’t sell them! If I can, I just think it’s polite. If it’s a crowded place where no one will notice me, I dont
This was so delightful, I had to watch it twice! I love your videos, so informative, and you have such a delightful personality. Thank you for sharing here, for us to watch and learn. ❤😊 You've been a key influence on me starting art again, after many years. I love your style.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Tgat is so lovely to hear. If a film gets one person back into painting, it makes it all worthwhile 😀
Love, love, love! This...
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
oh good!
I love your finished work, I'm definitely going to have a go at your sketchwithLiz challenge. It did make me laugh though how many times you said, "I'm going to stop now, I'm just fiddling", and then did a bit more. Im so glad you're not immune to the temptation 😂
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
hee, hee - you are so right. And nice to meet you!
Thank you for sharing! 👍👍Are you using your phone on a tripod above you? I love the way you affirm that it is the artist's prerogative to adjust, to change the colours and to draw wonky lines. I struggle with perfection and you have reminded me that it's my picture! Also love the idea of the grey outline with the Tombow. I do just draw with pen,bit sometimes I like to get the bigger structure in.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
it’s my iPad on the stand about me 😀 definite allowed to change things to tell the story of the place
Hullo Liz, I have the most respect for you and others who feel comfortable enough to sit out in the public and create your art! I used to hike and carry my watercolor workbook even when I went deer hunting! I like how you depicted this business, very well done!
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
I don’t mind sketching in public, but felt really stupid filming in public!
❤
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
hope you enjoyed it!
I’ve been watching so many of your older urban sketching videos I hadn’t realized this was new. You said it was July 4th weekend in the states and I thought “well that’s a weird coincidence” 😂 Thanks for posting a new one! And I love your sneakers!! ❤
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
another urban sketching tip - comfy shoes!!
That was a delight to watch and great commentary too. At first look I thought was a pub; perhaps it was once upon a time. I found the place on Google Maps, Knowl Hill. Here in West Yorkshire, there’s an area of Mirfield called Knowl, sometimes spelled Knowle and elsewhere, Knowler Hill. Useless information I know, but I felt I had to add it. I can’t wait for your next urban sketch video.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Apparently Knowl just means hillock (like the grassy knoll I guess). So this is Hill Hill - so good they named it twice!
@GuyArab
Ай бұрын
@@LizChadertonArt 😀
This does look fun! I am in Burlington Vermont with lots of wonderful views & iconic architecture. Lots of benches & parks to set in to do urban sketching. It's just so bloody hot, here, this summer 🥵 I'm stuck with drawing from photos to avoid sweating & smudging my hard work. Looking forward to fall! Your work is fabulous! A style all your own.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
rain is our issue….. so grey today and it’s July
love watching as its to hot here to go out side let alone paint. (96f) so im watching you have fun. you gave me a chuckle at the end the amount of time you said yours done but kept painting lol. I do that all the time.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
stay in the cool and have a go. yes, I hear myself say I’m done and then I spot something else. Sorry!
Like the building so unusual! Oh! It’s my birthday, my daughter & family are celebrating in USA! And, although it absolutely poured down this morning it’s became sunny! Really liked the mediums you’ve used, it does look bright! Thanks for my trip out!
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Happy birthday! Glad the sun came out 😀
@valeriegehling4358
Ай бұрын
@@LizChadertonArt Thank you.
Love this Liz❤. Thanks again.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
You are so welcome!
Love it. 👍🏻👍🏻
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
So glad!
Lovely video. Thank you, Liz ❤
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it
I absolutely love your style! This was so fun to watch! Somehow, you made brooms and rakes exciting☺️! I get so into looking at my subject that when I look at my drawing, I get a big 😲 😋. Great video and wonderful sketch/painting! 😊🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
the rakes were the best bit 😆 Thank you!
I couldn't do that with that amount of sun hitting the paper. I would end up blind.
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
it was one of those days when the sun came out, went in, the wind blew, then it stopped…..
I love this. What pens/paints do you use for this plz?
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
all the info and links on the materials is in the description 😊
I really enjoyed watching your techniques throughout this video, and this final piece is awesome. I have one question, what exactly is the pole in the video-picture used for?
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
That’s the stand for my iPad which I’m filming on…is that what you mean?
@genas.artjourney
Ай бұрын
@LizChadertonArt Thanks 😊 I thought it's some sort of pleinair shade umbrella! 😄
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
@@genas.artjourney it would have blown away for sure 😆
Always enjoy your videos, but today they were too speeded up! I’ll try to check my end! Karen Dirmish , avid reader 2:50
@LizChadertonArt
18 күн бұрын
Please check your settings, as it is a full real-time sketch, so not speeded up. It might be a KZread glitch
How do you DO that?! I watched the whole thing and still…! I tried my first attempt b4 watching this so I could try on my own. 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️. I’ll try again now!
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
just enjoy it. There is no right or wrong way….
@shawnas464
Ай бұрын
@@LizChadertonArt oh! Mine is wrong lol…I hashtaged it on Instagram. Can you give us another? Please?
You can wear a gopro body cam instead of relying on another person to hold a camera..expensive though!
@LizChadertonArt
19 күн бұрын
I don't earn enough from KZread for that 🤣
Liz, is that the A5 size?
@LizChadertonArt
Ай бұрын
yes - it’s lovely paper and thick enough you can use the back too
@cathylathrop8104
Ай бұрын
@@LizChadertonArt Perfect! Thank you!