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 tagged inspiration
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.
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.
In this Draw Tip Tuesday, I sketch my coffee twice in under 10 minutes using two different approaches: first with line, then with color. It’s a fun, fast way to loosen up and enjoy your sketchbook practice. Perfect for daily drawing and creative exploration.
Join me for a sketchbook tour filled with travel sketches, playful experiments, and everyday moments. From Oslo to Lisbon and beyond. I share how I make time to draw while traveling, how I got out of a creative rut, and how trying new materials keeps things fresh. You’ll see ink, watercolor, gouache, and more, plus get a fun assignment to try in your own sketchbook. If you're looking for drawing inspiration and sketchbook ideas, this video’s for you!
Join me for a relaxing sketching session in Lisbon, where I draw one of the city’s charming pink kiosks at Príncipe Real Park. Filmed during a day off between teaching two urban sketching workshops, this Draw Tip Tuesday video shows how I build up a scene using pencil, watercolor, and colored pencil - embracing imperfections along the way. Watch the process unfold, and get inspired to fill your own travel sketchbook. Next workshop coming up: Paris Sketchbook! Join me!
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!
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.
This month, I’m all about sketchbook challenges! Today, I’m tackling something I always think I’m bad at: drawing cars! Using a chunky nib pen for unpredictable, wonky lines. If you avoid certain subjects, this is your sign to just go for it! Watch as I push past the awkward stage and save the drawing with one simple trick.
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!
One common and stubborn misconception is that you need hours and a perfectly set-up workspace to create art. This mindset can create a high threshold and might discourage you from starting at all.
In today's video, I’m addressing a frequently asked question: "How long does it take to make a drawing?" Whether my artwork takes hours or just a few minutes, I'll share insights and examples from my drawing archive, as well as the time it took to create each piece.
When it comes to finding subjects for your drawings, why look any further than your kitchen? Mugs, glasses, and other household items might seem mundane at first glance, but they present a wonderful challenge for any artist. Let's explore why drawing everyday objects is not only a great exercise for practicing your skills but also a pathway to discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary.
This week's Draw Tip Tuesday video looks a bit different than usual and I think you'll like it.
Today I am meeting my friend Sabine Wisman, who is a creative creature and very inspiring. She'll give us a valuable Draw Tip!
The struggle between the desire to draw and the internal resistance is relentless. Doubts and insecurities block creativity, making it hard to even just start. But remember, creativity thrives in vulnerability, imperfections are stepping stones, not stumbling blocks. Embrace the joy of creating without judgment, even for just five minutes. Embrace the wonkiness!
In my book, Life Is Better When You Draw It, I dedicated a chapter to this. My mantra is “everything is interesting when you draw it”.
It doesn’t matter what you draw; it matters that you draw.
If you like listening to podcasts, like I do, you might know the inspiring podcast Creative Chats, hosted by Mike Brennan.
Mike and I are on the same wave length when it comes to the daily creative habit, and I'm so honored he asked to interview me for his podcast.
We had a great chat, and it made for enough content to break it up into two parts.
Here's part 1
