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 Tips
Inktober is complete! Thank you to everyone who played along, whether you drew all 31 prompts or just one. My process-focused prompt list helped you keep going. Some rediscovered new tools like dip pen and India ink. Next up is a first look at the new online drawing program inspired by Life is Better When You Draw It.
Learn how to add shadow to your watercolor paintings before adding color. In this tutorial I sketch potted plants and cacti, mix a simple gray wash for shadows, then layer on color for depth and life. Includes bonus watercolor tips and a fun drawing challenge you can try at home with objects from your own table.
Wax resist is a fun watercolor technique that's easier than it looks. Using wax crayons (or even a candle) I show how wax will block watercolor which creates texture, highlights and sparkle effects. And: what to do with mistakes when adding text! Also, a drawing assignment so you can try wax resist yourself.
Curious how to use water soluble crayons? I took my Caran d'Ache Neocolor II crayons and Stabilo Woody pencils on a park walk to show you my scribble, wash, repeat process. Bold, playful, and a great way to sketch loose without overthinking every line.
Curious how to use water soluble crayons? I took my Caran d'Ache Neocolor II crayons and Stabilo Woody pencils on a park walk to show you my scribble, wash, repeat process. Bold, playful, and a great way to sketch loose without overthinking every line.
I'm sharing my July sketching month, plus 6 practical tips to help you sketch more this August. Watch my free tutorial on drawing trees and foliage, celebrating 5 years on Patreon. I'm also packing for a workshop trip, and show you how to handle people noticing me sketching. Plus a reminder that flipping through your old sketchbooks can spark inspiration for your next drawing.
I'm celebrating 5 years on Patreon with a free tutorial on drawing trees and greens using fountain pen, waterproof ink, and watercolor. I show how to capture foliage without overworking your sketchbook page, inspired by a discussion in our Discord community on urban sketching and nature drawing.
Less is more when it comes to sketch kits! Learn how to travel with a minimal setup using tools you already own. Find out why watersoluble tools are worth a second look, and take on the Minimal Kit Challenge: 5 tools, endless possibilities.
July and August are travel moths for many people. Are you going somewhere? This post gives you some fun ideas and inspiration, plus tips on how to pack light for your sketching trip!
What to pack for a sketching trip without overdoing it. I share my travel sketch kit, from sketchbook choice to fountain pen tips for flying, plus advice on packing smart based on your trip. Bonus tips included!
Koosje Koene shows the colors she uses most (watercolors, colored pencils, crayons, gouache) and why you do not need to buy the same colors.
Learn how you decide on YOUR colors, how a simple limited palette can boost creativity and why keeping your sketch kit light helps you draw more.
Your sketchbook might just be the best souvenir you ever bring home. Learn why travel sketching beats photos, how to make it work with non-sketching travel companions, and why you don't need hours to fit it in. Plus: Drawing doesn't need to be something you fit in around the trip. It can BE the trip!
Traveling and feel like there's no time to draw? There always is! In this video I sketch my Paris view in just 15 minutes, sharing tips on how to fit sketching into any trip. Your sketchbook is the best travel companion.
Drawing and Urban sketching while traveling is one of the best ways to truly capture a place, way more than any photograph ever could.
Stressed & overwhelmed? Reconnect with creativity in 5 mins! Try blind continuous line drawing. No skills needed. Reset your mind, embrace imperfection, and draw your way to calm.
It's our inner critics who encourage our inner artists to focus on the outcome, rather than the process of getting where we want to go.
You might catch yourself every so often thinking about your art, rather than actually spending time in your sketchbook. Maybe you are worried about the outcome. Instead of focusing on the end result, learn to focus on how you want to feel along the way.
Location sketching, in a café: ochre watercolor shapes, loose fountain-pen lines, and soft black pencil textures. The page gets overworked and the inner critic shows up, but the focus stays on mindfulness, play, and connection as strangers notice the sketch.
You can turn a simple lunch break into a quick, creative art session. I draw my sandwich before taking a bite, and then keep eating and sketching. Making one quick drawing of the sandwich with every bite.
Doing a drawing like this is a perfect example how to stack habits: combining drawing with everyday moments. That makes it easier to keep a regular sketching practice. See this as a low-pressure way to practice observation, line variation, and composition while you enjoy your food!
A five minute sketch can be a fantastic creative kickstart. Just a few minutes of drawing can set the tone for your whole day.
By keeping your pen on the paper the whole time, you train your eye to notice angles, relationships, and depth.
You’re no longer relying on traditional perspective rules or drawing what you think you know. Instead, you trust your eyes and draw what you truly see.
I love how a continuous line creates movement and energy. It makes the pages feel more organic and alive.
Feeling stressed or restless? Sketching can calm your mind and bring you into the moment. Your sketchbook isn’t just for making art. It's a powerful tool for relaxation and mindfulness. Learn how drawing can help you unwind, even when you think you feel too tired. Give it a try now and thank yourself after.
