pronounced "Kōsha”
I’m an artist and creative entrepreneur living in the Netherlands. I love drawing and I do it every day. On this website, I hope to inspire you to develop a drawing practice too, because it can make you feel good.
Photo by Rick Keus
In this Draw Tip Tuesday I show the colors I use most (watercolors, colored pencils, crayons, gouache) and why you do not need to buy the same colors.
I explain how you decide on YOUR colors, how a simple limited palette can boost creativity and why keeping your sketch kit light helps you draw more.
Drawing in nature can boost your mood, calm your mind, and bring joy back into your sketchbook practice. In this post I share how I find peace and creativity outdoors, and how you can try it too. Plus info on my upcoming small group nature sketching workshop in the Eifel in June 2026.
Join me for a flip-through of my latest Strathmore Mixed Media sketchbook filled with experiments, limited color, and playful pages. See how I mix ink, watercolor, crayons, and markers while exploring texture, layering, and creative sketchbook ideas.
Join me as I take a walk with my sketchbook and end up sketching a parked truck I spotted along the way. In this Draw Tip Tuesday video I show how to use negative space, keep your pen moving for lively lines, and why drawing everyday life makes you more present. I share the story of how I first started drawing and how it became a way of living more fully.
Materials: Strathmore 500 series Mixed Media sketchbook, Sailor Fude fountain pen with water-soluble ink, water brush, and kitchen paper.
Learn how to find drawing inspiration in the simplest places. In this Draw Tip Tuesday video I show you how to turn the everyday items from my bag into a lively sketchbook page. You will see how to use pen, watercolor, and shadows to bring ordinary objects to life, plus tips on creating color harmony and adding playful lettering. Drawing does not need to be important or complicated. The act of drawing itself is what matters. Keep it simple, enjoy the process, and let your sketchbook tell your personal story.
In today's Draw Tip Tuesday I take you sketching on location with just a few simple tools. Limiting materials helps keep your drawing playful, loose, and alive. I start with messy marks in color, layer shapes, and then add pen lines to bring clarity and energy. Along the way I share pro tips for drawing in public, for staying mindful of your stuff, and for trusting your inner artist. It is not about perfection but about capturing the moment in your own way. Materials: Strathmore Mixed Media sketchbook, Neocolor crayons, fountain pen, water brush.
In this Draw Tip Tuesday I show you how I sketch people quickly and loosely using a water-soluble pencil and a simple waterbrush. You can capture the energy of a barista with confident lines, light washes, and simplified shapes. This is about drawing with ease, focusing on movement and light instead of details, and embracing the wonkiness.
Just a few quick marks are enough to tell the story and bring your sketchbook pages to life.
I filled an entire sketchbook using only black and white, focusing on lines, values, and occasional grey washes. In this Draw Tip Tuesday, I share what working without color taught me, from creating depth with contrast and texture to simplifying my process. You will see how different pens, pencils, and washes can add variety even with a limited palette, and how these limitations can boost creativity whether sketching at home or while traveling.
In this Draw Tip Tuesday video, I share a quick and fun self portrait exercise you can do in under 10 minutes. Using a mirror and a timer, I draw my face 4 times, each with fewer lines than the last. This simple practice helps you focus on what really matters in a drawing, sharpen your observation skills, and discover how much you can simplify while still showing expression and resemblance. I also talk about why self portraits are a great subject for building your drawing habit.
In this Draw Tip Tuesday, I explore how to use negative shapes in urban sketching to make a scene come to life. Starting with the space around a building, I block in trees and foliage first, letting the building appear by what I do not draw. I share tips on mark making, layering, and using selective color to create depth and contrast. This approach trains your eyes to see differently and adds a fresh twist to your sketches, whether you work from a photo or on location.
Explore sketchbook ideas from black & white drawing to limited palettes and watercolors. Join my upcoming drawing workshops, follow my travels to Spain and Paris, and find simple sketchbook inspiration for your own daily practice. Discover how life gets better when you draw it!
In this Draw Tip Tuesday, I take on one of my weak spots: drawing animals. Follow along as I practice cats using a simple negative space technique that focuses on the shapes around the subject. I share my practice pages, from the cringe-worthy to the ones I like, and show how to keep a drawing fresh by knowing when to stop. Even if animals are not your usual subject, this method works for anything you want to draw and can help you loosen up, improve accuracy, and enjoy the process.
In this Draw Tip Tuesday, Koosje Koene flips through her A6 Hahnemühle Nostalgie sketchbook, packed with quick sketches, black and white play, and moments from daily life and travels. From markets to train rides and coffee dates, she shares what working small, embracing limitations, and going with the flow taught her, plus ideas to make your own sketchbook practice more fun and relaxed.
In this Draw Tip Tuesday, Koosje Koene shares a fun way to draw tricky subjects by focusing on negative space. Using a bike as an example, she sketches the shapes around it instead of the bike itself. With watercolor and pencil, the drawing comes to life. A great technique to improve accuracy and gain confidence in your sketchbook.
In this Draw Tip Tuesday, I share why I decided to let go of an unfinished accordion sketchbook project. What began as a cozy winter plan no longer fit her evolving drawing style. Creative projects can shift over time, and letting go can actually make space for new ideas.
Sketching helps you slow down, notice small details, and feel more present. A sketchbook makes you see patterns, colors, and quiet moments you’d otherwise miss. Even a quick train drawing can shift your mood and bring unexpected joy. One line at a time.
Learn how to start a drawing with confidence by using simple subjects like your feet to frame a scene. In this Draw Tip Tuesday video, Koosje Koene shares her step-by-step process for building a sketch from foreground to background. You'll get practical tips on composition, observation, and creating depth using a fountain pen, water soluble ink, and a waterbrush. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their sketchbook practice.
Join Koosje Koene in this Draw Tip Tuesday as she flips through her A4 Hahnemühle sketchbook, filled during a travel workshop in Italy. See how she captures markets, cafes, and street scenes using fountain pens, colored pencils, watercolor, and collage. Learn about editing on the page, simplifying scenes, and keeping your sketchbook playful and personal. Watch the full video for sketchbook inspiration and drawing tips.
Struggling to start a new sketchbook? In this video, learn a simple and fun way to break the ice by drawing your own hands. I share how this small ritual helps ease the pressure of the blank page and quiets the inner critic. Whether you're just beginning or have filled dozens of sketchbooks, this tip will help you draw with more confidence and joy. Plus, there's a creative assignment to try right away. Watch now and get inspired to start your next page without fear.
