URBAN sketching. FAST & FUN basic building blocks. PART 1

Name: URBAN sketching. FAST & FUN basic building blocks. PART 1
Rating: 4.2 (242 reviews)

Fun course to introduce anyone to an 'urban sketching' style of drawing & colouring on the go. FAST and FUN, simple tips

Created byNicola A Blakemore

Last updated 8/2023

English

What you'll learn

Learn to look at subjects in blocks and simple shapes.
No longer get overwhelmed by the details.
All your artwork will benefit from trying this different approach.
See how to keep a sketch book for travel, fun or for ideas.
Sketch more quickly as you gain in confidence.
Discover different ways of looking at any subject.

Course content

4 sections • 15 lectures • 1h 22m total length

How to find your way around the Udemy platform.4:06
What you will need2:19
What you will need.

I've kept it as simple a possible, to help you and to help you keep the costs down. And if you are going out and about with your new skill, you want to keep what you have to carry with you nice and compact and easy to use.
A Limited palette would be convenient.

In this lecture I demonstrate something new on the market, but you don't have to use the same. Use what you have in your paintbox.

I decided to use these because they are easily portable and compact. Some of the colours were not what I expected, but it suits the fun aspect of this course.

However if you decide you would like to try these for yourself you will find details in Lecture 13 where you will be able to benefit from an offer available to my students.
OR - take a lightweight palette of selected colour1:07
Select your colours.

If your paintbox is too cumbersome here is an alternative to buying a travel box.
You can squirt some tube colours into the plastic palette instead. ( see the suggested colours in the chart in the resource ).

It is lightweight easy to hold and compact..
RESOURCE
Suggested traditional colours on a chart
OR - watercolour pencils and a water brush.4:11
OR - watercolour pencils and a water brush.

You could take a selection of watercolour pencils along with you instead of paints. With a pen, your colours and a water brush you are set to go.
OR - The Viviva Coloursheets10:00
The Viviva Coloursheets
There were some problems with delivery from this company but they are now sorted out. If you would like to try them use this code to take you to the site and it will automatically give you a 10% discount.
https://vivivacolors.com/discount/NICOLA
When you place your order and it askes if you have a discount code, it is NICOLA
There is also something similar made by a company called Peerless.
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In this lecture I demonstrate something new on the market, but you don't have to use the same. Use what you have in your paintbox.
I decided to use these because they are easily portable and compact. Some of the colours were not what I expected, but it suits the fun aspect of this course.
However if you decide you would like to try these for yourself you will find details in Lecture 14.
CAUTION: the colours are strong with strong staining

Lines, shading and other marks.5:03
Keep the drawing to the minimum
This is a relaxed style of drawing, quick and simple so keep the detail to the minimum but you can make your marks varied and interesting.
Do some scribbling in your sketchbook to see how many different sorts of lines and ways of shading you can do,
A different way of looking at your subject, let me explain with a tracing.6:23
Here are some simple suggestions.

If you are sketching a quick scene there may well be people standing, sitting or walking about. Don't be put off including them, with a bit of practice you will soon master a few easy ways to represent figures.

Remember, time may be short, so a simple shape will often suffice .

People - think of blocks, postures and shapes not line.10:01
Forget the details, focus on the simple shapes.

When you are sketching people in a scene they may not stay there for long so you have to be quick.

So concentrate of getting the basic shape of the body, the angles and the direction, and look at them in blocks of colour or light and shade.Start with 'stick men' if it helps, but try different ways of attacking the subject and it will get easier.
RESOURCES
A few pictures of come simple ideas to get you started.
Buildings and scenes, where to start.10:36
Ignore the detail.

Whether you are sketching one building or a group, it can be difficult to know where to start. In this lecture I will give you some pointers which should help you make the first marks. Below are a few things to remember.

Don't get bogged down in the details when you are doing a building, Keep it down to the basics, doors, windows etc, I'll show you how.
Also don't worry if the perspective is not accurate, a little distortion can be fun.
Make sure you include any landmarks to help make the sketch significant.

RESOURCES

The photo of the scene.
Colouring - buildings and scenes, where to start.12:06
Colouring the picture.

Here I have used the Viviva colour sheets as an experiment and they were fun and simple to use. If you would like to know more about them go to lecture 13.
Trees - simple models to use.5:07
This has got to be the easiest subject to do of all, as trees are not manufactured and so are all lots of different shapes and sizes, just try and get them in proportion to the people and buildings.
You can decide at what stage you want to add pen if at all., Maybe just for added detail on the trees nearest to you, or just to indicate the trunks and branches.
RESOURCES
photo of some tree ideas.
Vehicles - simple models to use.4:23
Looking at objects in their simplest form really helps.
For cars and lorries, thinks of different shaped boxes on wheels and make adjustments as you see fit.
You are allowed to miss these out if you wish. However if you do want to include then, like people they will add 'life' to your sketches.
RESOURCES
I have added a couple of paintings which were commissions. They are of treasured vehicles and I chose a sketchbook style in which to do them.
Animals - simple models to use.5:41
Again, keep it simple
A bit like the previous lecture think of these as assorted shapes on two or four legs.
If you are doing a street scene then a dog on a lead could add interest. If it's a country scene then cows or sheep grazing can make something look more alive.

Requirements

Students will need to have done a little drawing and painting.
Students will need some watercolour paints.
Students will need a waterproof pen.
Students will need a a brush or a water brush.
Students will need a sketchbook with quality cartridge paper or watercolour paper.

Description

NEW BONUS LECTURE added August 2023

REVIEW: 'I really liked this class. The explanations were easy to follow. It all seems possible to do after watching this simplification of the process.' Liz

This type of 'pen and wash' drawing and painting, is a simple way to get ideas, memories and other little illustrations down in a sketchbook, quickly and in a fun style. This playful approach gives you a 'feel good' factor with no expectations. It is NOT a learn how to draw and paint course.

If the thought of learning to paint with watercolour paints is overwhelming, this could be a way to break you in gently, to see how you like working with this medium in a relaxed way.

This course can be taken on THREE levels.

Learn how to sketch quickly without the constraints of any rules. Here you are not aiming for a realistic representation, or a painting style, you are just aiming to create fun images of what you see around you, quickly.
It can really help those of you who overthink your painting, it will help you with drawing decision-making.
It is also great for the budding painter to practise and to get into the habit of keeping a sketchbook for gathering information in preparation for painting watercolour pictures.

Here I simply give you a 'how to get started' approach.' It is a simple and brief course for you to take what you want to make holiday memories or perhaps illustrating thoughts through a challenging period in life in your journal. Or better still to spur you on to learn to paint with watercolours in a more traditional style and start painting pictures

It is a stand-alone art form, do with it as you will but most of all have fun.

Why choose one of my courses?
Because, as a self-taught artist I understand how a lot of people feel about their creative work, sometimes anxious, sometimes overwhelmed and often that it's not 'good enough'. I will hold your hand as you overcome these fears as I offer a friendly, relaxed and sensitive teaching style.
I also have years of experience of teaching people of all levels both in person and via the internet.
Do one of my courses and you will feel as if I am in the room with you every step of the way.

Enjoy your painting, love Nicola

PS PLEASE always read the lecture descriptions.

Who this course is for:

This is for anyone who wants to be able to sketch and colour simply, quickly and for fun.
This is for students who wish to loosen up their sketching and painting style.
This will help painters to stop overthinking the process.
This is for anyone wanting to be mindful in an artistic way.
It is great for those who want to work up to painting with watercolours.

URBAN sketching. FAST & FUN basic building blocks. PART 1

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction5 lectures • 22min

Get sketching and painting and let's see how much fun we can have.2 lectures • 11min

The subjects, animal, vegetable and mineral.6 lectures • 48min

Conclusion2 lectures • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: