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
All in Drawing Tips
In today’s video I'd like to show you how I use a brush pen.
The brushpen is a fun and playful tool, with a variety in line. It might help you to draw a little bit faster and get more spontaneity in your drawings.
I'll also add watercolour for that bright yellow splash, because Brown and yellow is just too good of a combination! It’ll also be an opportunity to play with a simple wet-in-wet technique that you might like.
Wouldn't you like to be an artist in Paris? Today, let's travel virtually to Paris together, and plop down in one of the streets to draw! We'll use Google Streetview. While I draw, I am giving you tips on using negative spaces when drawing architecture and urban sketching, taking artistic liberty, not being too accurate, using repetitive patterns that you see, and finally limiting your colors. Also: how to juggle drawing time when you’re with non-drawing travel-buddies? It's all covered in this generous drawing demonstration.
It doesn't matter what size or format your sketchbook is - what matters is that you spend time drawing in it. I am really so happy to have this daily sketchbook practice. It is so valuable to take time to draw the things around me, empty my head, ground myself, and just BE for a little creative while. I want this for you too.
Bring that joy to your day by drawing your adventures, big and small. Mine include in this sketchbook blooming flowers as well as smelly shoes. Coffee dates with myself, and time with friends.
A while ago, I worked on a fun project outside of my regular sketchbook.
I used an accordion sketchbook to go on a virtual trip to Malta! I used reference pictures that I found on Google Images to draw, and to learn about Malta a little bit more. That's because I will be traveling there for real, in November this year, to teach an urban sketching vacation workshop. It’s hosted by Brenda Murray from Studio56boutique in Malta, an archipelago smack in the middle of the Mediterranean!
Upon request, today I am sharing my very first sketchbook! Not from when I was a kid or teenager, but the sketchbook that eventually initiated my sketchbook practice, as it is now.
I think it's valuable to show them, because it illustrates how all artists develop, grow, change course, and find their style throughout the year and through their practice.
"Life Is Better When You Draw It" is an illustrated book for people who love drawing, but need inspiration to do so. It is also a tribute to drawing, and a glimpse into the world through the eyes of an artist. It is about how drawing can make you happy and mindful. As your paper soaks up the ink, you clear your head and forget about time and your to-do list.
Like in my videos, I don't provide art instruction in my book, because what you need even more when you want to draw is motivation, permission, and encouragement. No matter the outcome, the process of drawing makes you happy, and that’s what it’s all about.
Let's get out and draw - in a café today. I often get questions about how to draw people in a cafe (they move, help!), how to capture the interior, mood and vibe... how to deal with people noticing you drawing, and much more.
So today I want to show you the full process, so I went for a coffee and a sketch and filmed from beginning to end. Because I think seeing someone draw, and then try it yourself (that's the most important part!) can teach you a lot.
There aren't any rules in my sketchbook - I draw anything around me, and because of that, my sketchbook tells my personal story. My sketchbook is also my creative gym.
I filled another sketchbook, and I'll flip through it today - hopefully it'll be inspiring for you. I know seeing other people’s sketchbooks could be kind of intimidating. Or overwhelming. And getting started is really hard when you feel overwhelmed.
So - start small. Invite yourself to do a little something today.
If you and I would sit together urban sketching, we would have completely different drawings because your interpretation will be so different than mine.
Every time you draw, you are paying so much attention to how you feel, what you see, what you hear, to the colors, to what really captures your attention, to the story around the place... And that's what makes you an artist. You are interpreting and you are creating something out of this, and you're creating a memory that lasts because it's in your sketchbook. Isn't that exciting?
there is always something to draw. Especially the mundane things - they are part of your life. You don't need some grand concept or subject to enjoy filling a sketchbook page. Everything is interesting as soon as you start drawing it. And you're drawing life, how cool is that? I have a very deep believe that Life is better when you draw it.
Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
Grab a bunch of colorful tools and let's draw faces! Our goal is not to capture resemblance. Let's just have fun with our tools and enjoy the process, while we look at the characteristics of the model's face, and try to simplify and abbreviate. Sometimes it helps to exaggerate certain facial features or accessories too.
In today’s video and assignment, I'd love to take you on a trip yet again. This time, we'll be using the website window-swap.com. On this website, people from all over the world are submitting videos, recorded from their windows. Let's find a window with a view to sketch. It'll feel like you're visiting someone at their home in Turkey, the UK, the US, Sweden or wherever you choose to go, and stare out of their window to draw the view.
Drawing can bring you joy, growth and mindfulness. That's why I draw every day. Because I draw every day, I filled up another sketchbook , and I'd love to show you.
Today, we're taking a fun virtual trip using Google Earth.
I was invited by Brenda Murray from Studio56boutique.com, to teach a travel workshop in Malta in November this year and you could come with me!
I know it's not easy to find time, or to make time in a busy day, but you can do it! You don't have to change your whole life to add a little habit like drawing, but DO make it a priority, because drawing makes you happy!
Drawing is priority. You need it to stay sane. You REALLY only need a few minutes with your sketchbook and pen.
I promise you will feel calm and much better after this exercise.Let's do this together. Right now.
Today I am sharing a video from the archives - one that I referred to in last week's video. It's about capturing proportions and perspective by using negative spaces. It's amazingly effective.
For today's video, I recorded the process of drawing my living room.
While you watch the drawing process, you'll hear me talk about some of the obstacles we all meet when drawing an interior. I'll also address questions that I got from you here, from students, patrons and online followers.
Today, upon request, I'll flip through the pages of my book Life Is Better When You Draw It.
It took me about 2 years to write, design and self-publish the book. And it sounds easy, but there's a LOT to figure out as an illustrator who temporarily takes on the role of an writerrand self-publishing author. Especially when you never self-published a book before.
So today I will be sharing the challenges, obstacles, highs and lows of the book making process.
In today’s video, I am showing you the pages of the Etchr Lab sketchbook that I filled in October and November this year.
