Koosje Koene

Hi there, I’m Koosje!

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

Live Mini-Workshop: March 10

Mar 2

Mar 2 Live Mini-Workshop: March 10

There's another live online Mini-Workshop coming up on Tuesday March 10.

We'll gather on Zoom for a 90-minute session of drawing and creativity. I’ll guide you with instructions and an assignment, and by the end, we’ll have a "show & tell" where you can share your work, ask questions, and get inspired by others. Sharing is optional; feel free to keep your drawings to yourself if you prefer!

Set aside this time just for you:
This is your chance to unwind and focus on your art. No special supplies are needed. Just bring your favorite tools and a sketchbook.

What to Draw When You Feel Stuck

Feb 24

Feb 24 What to Draw When You Feel Stuck

If you ever feel stuck and you don't know what to draw, just know that it happens to all of us.
In today's video I show a simple, playful way to get moving again using something you already have with you every day.

About Your Sketchbook and Mindset

Feb 21

Feb 21 About Your Sketchbook and Mindset

A gentle reminder to let go of perfection in your sketchbook. Drawing is about exploration, play, and personal expression, not about “getting it right”. You’re not a camera. Every drawing counts. By loosening your grip and reconnecting with what you want from drawing, your sketchbook can become a place that truly supports you. Come back to your WHY, and you’ll get clarity and inspiration.

How Tools Change the Mood of Your Drawing

Feb 17

Feb 17 How Tools Change the Mood of Your Drawing

Let me show you a loose, playful way to create an expressive sketchbook page, using watersoluble crayons. Different tools change the mood of a drawing completely. Express yourself!

How to Make a Simple Drawing More Interesting

Feb 10

Feb 10 How to Make a Simple Drawing More Interesting

Learn how to create an expressive sketch using just a pen, water, and a few simple choices. In this video I draw a coffee pot and glass with watersoluble ink, showing how line, negative space, shadows, and loose ink washes add depth and atmosphere in a short, relaxed drawing session.

Why Being Less Precious Helps Your Sketchbook

Feb 3

Feb 3 Why Being Less Precious Helps Your Sketchbook

Sketchbook flip through with mixed media experiments, watercolor, water soluble crayons, ink, coffee stains, and collage. I share what worked, what failed, and how drawing in cafés, from TV shows, and with fewer tools helped me loosen up and enjoy the process more.

Creating joy through art

Feb 2

Feb 2 Creating joy through art

Feel the joy of drawing! News about a new online program in the making, and upcoming in-person workshops. I’ve got some quick tips to boost your creativity. And a reminder to join my live mini-workshop this Wednesday. Let’s keep spreading art, kindness, and connection.

A Little Reminder For Your Sketchbook Practice

Jan 31

Jan 31 A Little Reminder For Your Sketchbook Practice

Drawing can be a simple way to feel happier, calmer, and more present. A sketchbook doesn’t need rules, plans, or lots of time. One small drawing is enough to begin. By adding little moments of drawing throughout the day, your sketchbook becomes a mindful practice that grows naturally.

How Light and Shadow Change Your Drawing

Jan 27

Jan 27 How Light and Shadow Change Your Drawing

Learn how light and shadow can add depth and drama to your drawings. In this video I explore how changing the direction of light affects shadows, highlights, and color. You will get an easy sketchbook exercise using a simple household object to train your eye and build confidence when drawing from observation. It’ll be fun!

Join my Live Online Mini-Workshop: February 4

Jan 26

Jan 26 Join my Live Online Mini-Workshop: February 4

Another live online drawing session is happening in February. Koosje Koene will come up with a theme and an assignment to work on during the 90 minutes together on Zoom. Are you joining?

How to Draw Transparency

Jan 20

Jan 20 How to Draw Transparency

How do you draw transparency? In this Draw Tip Tuesday video I explore drawing glass from observation. By slowing down and really looking at distortions, reflections, highlights and shadows, I show how transparency can be suggested without tricks, just curiosity and experimenting with different tools.

Sketchbook Ideas: What to Draw Around You

Jan 17

Jan 17 Sketchbook Ideas: What to Draw Around You

Looking for what to draw? You don’t need special subjects or inspiration. Everyday objects around you are perfect sketchbook prompts. This post shares simple drawing ideas to help you start, stay relaxed, and build a regular sketchbook practice using things you already have at home.

Feeling Stuck in Your Sketchbook?

Jan 13

Jan 13 Feeling Stuck in Your Sketchbook?

Stuck with a blank sketchbook page? In this video I share a playful way to start drawing using a light watercolor wash. A simple color base helps you loosen up, stop overthinking, and draw what is right in front of you with more confidence and ease.

Sketchbook Pages From Daily Life

Jan 6

Jan 6 Sketchbook Pages From Daily Life

Sketchbook flip through filled in October and November 2025, showing the seasonal shift from outdoor to indoor drawing. I share pages with washes, negative space, limited tools, café sketches, people, nature, and everyday moments, plus practical sketchbook tips and inspiration to keep your drawing practice going.

Join my January Live Online Mini-Workshop

Dec 31

Dec 31 Join my January Live Online Mini-Workshop

There's another live online Mini-Workshop coming up on Wednesday January 7.
I’d love for you to join.

If you’ve attended a Mini-Workshop before, you know how much fun they are. When you draw together, you get inspired, you inspire, and learn from each other.

Save the Date: Wednesday, January 7

If you can't make it, no problem, I will record the session.

The recorded video of the Mini-Workshop is sent exclusively to those who signed up.

Sketching a Tropical Beach

Dec 30

Dec 30 Sketching a Tropical Beach

I filmed a beach drawing session in Thailand where I sketched the view with a brush pen, added quick figures and palm trees, then used wax crayons, watercolor, and colored pencils for texture and depth. A relaxed urban sketching moment and a free peek of my Patreon style content.

Why Looking Back at Your Sketchbooks Matters

Dec 28

Dec 28 Why Looking Back at Your Sketchbooks Matters

Looking back at your sketchbooks helps you see how much you’ve drawn, learned, and experienced. Sketchbook pages capture everyday moments, big days, and quiet times. This reflection brings joy, shows growth, and reminds you that you often do more creatively than you realize.

Hand Lettering Tips for Your Sketchbook Pages

Dec 23

Dec 23 Hand Lettering Tips for Your Sketchbook Pages

Learn how to use lettering to bring story and personality to your sketchbook pages. I show how I combine drawing and text, play with size and spacing, and find inspiration in everyday lettering. A simple way to make your pages feel more lively and personal.

People Sketching on the Go

Dec 16

Dec 16 People Sketching on the Go

On the go sketching is a great way to capture real life moments. I draw people in busy places using a watercolor pencil for fast lines and quick shading. It keeps my sketches loose, lively and full of energy. Try people drawing to bring more movement into your sketchbook!

Seeing the big picture and narrowing down

Dec 12

Dec 12 Seeing the big picture and narrowing down

Fun challenge for your sketchbook practice!

Switching between wide, medium, and close can help you avoid overwhelm, find your focus, tell better visual stories, and bring variety in your sketchbook pages; you keep things fresh (even when you’re drawing the same stuff over and over again).