A One-Week Sketchbook Project

A One-Week Sketchbook Project

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

This week, I'm excited to share a special "side sketchbook" I used on my trip to Switzerland. Of course I brought the daily sketchbook I was working in then, but it's a bit heavy. 

Since I was traveling and hiking, I needed something light and portable, so I brought along my Hahnemühle Zigzag Book. This accordion-style sketchbook was perfect along with some simple tools - and because it doesn't have a lot of pages, I was able to fill the whole book before coming home again. And the accordion format made it fun and adventurous to work with.

Creating a Visual Diary By Drawing Daily | Sketchbook Tour

Creating a Visual Diary By Drawing Daily | Sketchbook Tour

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

When you draw daily, you'll fill sketchbook after sketchbook with your art. In today’s video, I’m sharing another sketchbook tour with you. I myself love flipping through other people’s sketchbooks. Whether they’re beginners or advanced, I find it super inspiring. I hope my sketchbook tours spark inspiration for you as well. It’s all about doing art every day, wherever you are.

Lisbon Art Adventure!

Lisbon Art Adventure!

Koosje Koene

Even though I still have one more workshop trip coming up this year, I already have an absolute favorite of the year. The first one in 2024, "Capture The Lisbon Wow" was just everything. Co-teaching with my friend Cynthia Morris is a blast. The group of artists that came with us on this adventure was so inspiring. I may have fallen in love with them, and with Lisbon. The good news: Cynthia and I will be leading this adventurous workshop again in April next year.

Live Mini-Workshop August 22

Live Mini-Workshop August 22

Koosje Koene

If you ever attended one of my previous online Mini-Workshops, you know how fun it is to hang out, draw together, and learn from each other.

I prepare instruction and an assignment for us to work on, during  the 90-minute-session. All you need to do is show up with your favorite art supplies.

Will you be joining the next session in August? I'd love to see you there.

How Long Does It Take To Make A Drawing?

How Long Does It Take To Make A Drawing?

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

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.

Hands Drawing Hands

Hands Drawing Hands

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
Today, I'd like to talk about a special drawing ritual I follow whenever I start a new sketchbook: drawing my hands as they draw! This habit not only helps me break the curse of the blank page but also is a fun and challenging practice.

In this video, I'll walk you through my process, from starting by drawing the tip of the pen to capturing the details and proportions of my hands (wobbly and wonky!), even as they move and change positions.

Life is Better When You Draw (it) | Finding Meaning in Everyday Objects

Life is Better When You Draw (it) | Finding Meaning in Everyday Objects

Koosje Koene

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.

Sketchbook Tour: Daily Drawing Joy

Sketchbook Tour: Daily Drawing Joy

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

Are you ready for another sketchbook tour?
I filled this sketchbook in May and a little bit of June, and it went by so fast!
Drawing is a daily part of my life, not just a habit or a ritual. It brings me so much joy, and I hope it can do the same for you. In today's video, I’ll take you through my sketchbook, its pages filled with moments in cafés, figure drawing sessions, and drawings from my travels and workshops.

Accordion Sketchbook Tour

Accordion Sketchbook Tour

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday! Explore my sketchbook from the "Capture the Lisbon Wow" workshop with Cynthia Morris. This unique accordion sketchbook from Lisbon's Casa d'Amendoeira is filled with memories, drawings, haiku, collages, and more. From coffee messes to pastry sketches, each page captures Lisbon's essence. Get inspired to dust off your sketchbook and start creating!

Sketchbook Tour | Lisbon adventures and more

Sketchbook Tour | Lisbon adventures and more

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday! Join me as I share my A4 Hahnemühle Nostalgie sketchbook, filled during April and May 2024, with sketches from Lisbon and America. Enjoy my travel stories, drawing techniques, and creative experiments. See highlights from workshops, playful drawings, and familiar scenes from my videos.

Morning Walks and Creative Habits

Morning Walks and Creative Habits

Koosje Koene

I’ve been thinking a lot about morning habits lately. If you’ve read my book, you know how much I value habits and rituals. They can lead you to discover exciting things and make your day feel meaningful right from the start. I encourage you to find those moments for yourself, especially in the mornings. Savor your coffee, take a breath, pick up your pen and your sketchbook before you pick up your phone. It doesn’t take much time, but it makes all the difference.

Urban Sketching | Color First, Then Line

Urban Sketching | Color First, Then Line

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

Today we're heading out on location to draw in the beautiful city of Amersfoort, where I live. 
We'll find a cozy spot, enjoy some great coffee, and do a fun, quick sketch. 

This video shows a step by-step approach of my drawing process, taken with photos every two minutes so you can follow along. I'll be using watercolors, a water brush, and my trusty Sailor Fude nib fountain pen. 
Starting with colorful blobs for shapes, I'll build up the sketch, adding people, details, and using a white crayon for finishing touches. It's all about having fun and embracing the wonkiness. 

Sketchbook Tour | Overcoming Sketchbook Procrastination

Sketchbook Tour | Overcoming Sketchbook Procrastination

Koosje Koene
Drawing Tips

In today's video, I'm sharing a flip-through of my Watercolor Pocket Panorama Handbook journal from the Travelogue series. 
 This sketchbook measures 3.5”x8.25” and has been sitting in my stack of untouched sketchbooks for a while. Sound familiar? If you're a sketchbook hoarder like me, you know the struggle of having too many sketchbooks and not enough time to fill them.

I finally stopped procrastinating and have taken the plunge into this challenging format! 
 Throughout the video, I'll share how I approached this elongated sketchbook with various ideas.

Oui Oui, Paris!

Oui Oui, Paris!

Koosje Koene

Paris!
Taking yourself out of your usual environment and landing in a different world, leads to a shift in your being and senses.
Can you imagine? Sunny terraces on the sidewalk. Coffee and croissants among the French, picnics in the city park. Walks along Canal Saint Martin…
Through drawing assignments, you'll see your surroundings differently and experience Paris in a way you haven't before: as an artist.

Drawing Snippets on-the-go

Drawing Snippets on-the-go

Koosje Koene

Join me on a day of sketching snippets in my sketchbook, as I navigate through the day with my sketchbook in hand.

From waiting rooms to train rides, I capture snippets of my day using minimal materials. Despite the wobbly train, windy spots, and changing scenes, I embrace the imperfections, am being in the moment, and I find joy (so much joy!) in the process.

How To Make Time For Your Drawing Practice

How To Make Time For Your Drawing Practice

Koosje Koene

Navigating a busy life while maintaining a consistent sketchbook practice can often feel like a balancing act, even when you made a commitment for yourself to regularly spend time drawing.
Yet, despite our obligations and responsibilities, nurturing our drawing habit is important - even if it was just to stay sane, am I right?
Here’s a quick guide for you with practical strategies for your sketchbook habit. Bring some renewed energy and dedication when you show up to draw (and you know that showing up is the hardest part).

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