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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Drawing in nature can boost your mood, calm your mind, and bring joy back into your sketchbook practice. In this post I share how I find peace and creativity outdoors, and how you can try it too. Plus info on my upcoming small group nature sketching workshop in the Eifel in June 2026.
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.
