Drawing People in Context (with Bold Color!)

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday! In this urban sketching video, I recreate a favorite sketchbook drawing from my Gran Canaria trip. I start with the main figure and build the scene around him, using gouache, a chisel-tip pen, colored pencils, and crayon to add bold color and texture. I share tips on drawing people, mixing colors, and capturing a scene on location.

Watercolor vs Gouache: What’s Different?

Watercolor vs Gouache! I paint the same subject twice using two different primary color palettes: one in watercolor, one in gouache. It’s a fun exploration of color, opacity, and how each paint behaves on the page. You’ll see how the materials respond differently, how colors mix, and how layering works in each medium. Want to try it too? There’s a creative sketchbook assignment at the end to help you explore and play with your own paints.

Watercolor & Gouache Swatching: Know Your Colors!

Swatching two of my favorite palettes: my trusted watercolor set and a bright gouache combo. I share how I learn my colors, pick custom “primaries,” and mix everything from greys to vibrant hues. A fun, practical way to get more confident with color and make your sketchbook more personal.

Pro Tip: Use Boxes to Sketch What Catches Your Eye

Feeling overwhelmed by a blank page? Try this sketchbook tip: draw boxes first. Use different formats: landscape, portrait, round, and fill each one with a small sketch or note. It’s an easy way to tell a story, one box at a time. Keep your tools consistent for a unified, creative page.

Urban Sketching Tip: Don’t Color Everything

Want to make your urban sketches more vibrant without coloring everything in? In this Draw Tip Tuesday, I show you how using less color can actually make your drawings stronger. It's all about making conscious choices: what to highlight, what to leave out, and how that tells a clearer story. I sketch two musicians in Spain and share tips on simplifying a scene, creating focus with color, and letting go of perfection. Plus, I share a little teaser about my upcoming Costa Brava workshop with The Blue Walk this September. Tune in for sketchbook inspiration!

Drawing with Just One Color! Here's What Happens

Discover the power of drawing with just one color! In this Draw Tip Tuesday, I’m using a Sailor fountain pen with water-soluble ink to create a monochrome drawing. This minimal setup is perfect for sketching on location or at home. Learn how focusing on contrast, light, and shadow can simplify your drawing process and make your artwork even more striking. You might be surprised by your results.

Not Every Drawing Has to Be a Masterpiece

Not every drawing has to be perfect. Social media shows polished art, but not the years of practice and failures behind it. Art reflects emotions and life’s ups and downs. Sharing imperfect work helps others feel encouraged. Keep drawing and trust the process; creativity will flow again.

Want to Get Better at Drawing People?

Struggling with stiff figures, slow sketching, or capturing movement? My “Let’s Draw People” workshop helps you loosen up, draw faster, and make your sketches more lively. These are a few demo drawings from my live classes. Want to improve your people-drawing skills? Join my interest list to be the first to know when the next session opens! Let’s draw people together!

Travel Sketching - What to Pack

Want to know what art supplies to pack for travel sketching? Keep your sketch kit lightweight and compact while bringing everything you need. In today’s video, I share travel sketching essentials, urban sketching tools, and packing tips to avoid overpacking. From sketchbooks and pens to watercolors and a sitting mat, I cover it all. Plus, a pro tip: skip the 'just in case' supplies!

Sketchbook Experiment: Let’s See What Happens!

Playing with tempera sticks today! They’re like glue sticks, but filled with colorful paint. Fun but tricky! I test out the blob method, make some surprising discoveries (did I just paint a Smurf?), and figure out what works. This week’s challenge: grab a tool you’re unsure about and just play! Love it or hate it, it's all part of the creative process.

Fearless Drawing: How to Let Go and Have Fun

Loosen up and enjoy drawing! Stop overthinking, silence your inner critic, and embrace the wonkiness. The more you draw, the more confident you’ll become. Just like learning to cook or a learning a new skill, practice is key. Relax your grip, play with lines, and make it fun. Your sketchbook is a creative playground, not a test. So grab your favorite tools and start drawing fearlessly!

Why Fewer Art Supplies Make You More Creative

Feeling overwhelmed by too many art supplies? Try limiting your tools! In today's Draw Tip Tuesday video, I use just three simple tools to show how constraints can spark creativity. With fewer choices, you focus on the essentials and make bolder creative decisions. See how it works, then apply what you learned by following the assignment!