How To Capture The Moment In Just 10 Minutes

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!

Recently, I was on an amazing trip to Greece with The Blue Walk, where I taught a 12-day workshop.
While I was there, I made you a little souvenir from Naxos.

After one of the classes, wile exploring Naxos Town, I found the perfect quiet spot to sit down with my sketchbook. It was a 10-minute session, but it left me with a memory I'll never forget; and I recorded the whole process for you!

Today’s video

In this video, I start by mixing blue and brown watercolors to create gray. It’s such a versatile technique, and you can adjust the warmth or coolness by adding more blue or brown. Then, I focus on big shapes, adding blobs of color, like the pathway, bright blue skies, windows, and the greens of the plants. I keep my palette limited to reflect the simple colors in the scene.

After blocking in those basic shapes with watercolor, I grab my Derwent Inktense pencil to add some scribbly details and texture. These pencils are water-soluble, so I can draw directly onto the still-wet paint. You’ll see how I keep things loose and playful; holding my pencil at the end for less control and a more organic line.

I’m not looking for accuracy here, but an interpretation of what I see. I make marks to suggest the shapes of tiles, plants, and architecture, adding texture to the walls and the street without worrying too much about perfection. This whole process took just 10 minutes, showing that you don’t need a lot of time to make art, even while traveling.

This drawing is a wonderful memory for me, and I hope it inspires you to capture moments like this on your own travels, or at home.

I always love sharing how quick and playful sketching can be, even when you're traveling. You don't need hours of dedicated time, fancy supplies, or perfect conditions. Just grab your sketchbook, find a spot that catches your eye, and dive in! It’s a great way to capture the feeling of a place, and trust me, 10 minutes can be enough to fill a page with memories.

Don’t forget to embrace the wonkiness, it's all part of the fun! And don’t worry if the camera wobbles a little... that’s because I used my backpack as a makeshift tripod. When traveling, we need to be flexible and inventive!

Materials I used for the drawing:

- Daniel Smith Watercolors

-Pentel Aquash Waterbrushpen

-Derwent Inktense colored pencil, black

I hope this inspires you to take your sketchbook with you on your next adventure - even if it’s just a walk around your neighborhood. Drawing isn’t about making perfect art, it’s about enjoying the process, capturing the moment, and having fun with it. So, embrace the wonkiness and give yourself permission to play!