Sketch Fast on Location (Even When It Smells)

Last August, on a walk in Bristol, I spotted a row of super colorful houses and had to stop and capture them. I quickly set up on the sidewalk and filmed the whole 20 minute process.

I started with watercolor washes, picking happy colors and interpreting them loosely, whatever felt right. I kept moving, focusing on the general shapes of the buildings instead of details.

While the paint dried, I picked up a water-soluble colored pencil. For parts of the drawing I used the continuous line technique, which keeps the pencil moving and connects the shapes without getting stuck in details.
There were cars parked in front of the houses, so of course I added a couple of wonky ones.

Then I took out some watersoluble crayons, in matching colors. They deepen the color and add texture.

I used darks to reinforce shapes, add shadows and bring in focus.

My spot on the sidewalk was not exactly comfortable. I sat crouched down with my sketchbook leaning on my backpack. It was cramped and the spot was a bit smelly. But that discomfort kept me working fast and focused on what I was seeing, instead of overworking or overthinking.

It might make you a little sloppy, but that adds personality and life to a drawing. Drawing as if you don't care, like dancing like nobody's watching!

Click the image to watch the video

A few tips:

• Let your washes bleed and keep going, no slowing down.

• Take artistic liberty. No accuracy needed to interpret what you see.

• Use bright color and crayon texture to pull the eye to your focus.

• To balance your page, repeat colors you've already used in other spots.

• Add darks to bring balance and clarity.

• Leave small gaps of white in your first color shapes. I forgot, but a bit of white crayon helped out!

Materials I use in the video:

• Hahnemühle Nostalgie sketchbook, size A5

• Watercolors, Daniel Smith, Schminke

• Pentel Aquash water brush

• Water-soluble colored pencil: Derwent Intense, charcoal grey

• Caran d'Ache Neocolor II crayons, water-soluble

If you prefer to watch in real time, the full 20 minute version of this demo is on my Patreon.