During the past three or four years, I’ve been really trying to build up my art and creativity. If I’m on Youtube, I’m probably watching something art related. (Or, I’m watching a MBMBaM animated video, because those guys are hilarious, and it’s kinda art related, right?) I haven’t actually followed through and participated in a tutorial or draw with me, but those videos are so tempting and relaxing and they just make me so enthusiastic about crafting!
Recently, I’ve been looking more at sketching out in the open, as an activity on my walks, rather than drawing at home. Some of the Youtube videos I watch feature people going out and sketching in the real world. Most of the videos I’ve been watching have been pre-COVID, but I’m sure it’s still safe to go out and sketch, as long as you take precautions.
I’ve been following a lot of blogs and Instagrams with urban sketching or “en plein air” (outdoor) painting. I think the factor of being in a hurry to capture the moment and using your brush or pen strokes to capture the scene really add some character to the art.
One of my favourite urban sketchers is a guy named Teoh Yi Chie. He’s in Southeast Asia (SEA) and he is the Youtube-r who introduced me to urban sketching. In general, I love the lines he produces using pen and ink and watercolor. I really love the quick lines he uses, and, for lack of a better word, the messiness. It reminds of the chaos of a busy street, which seems to fit the feel of city streets.
Here’s a video of his that I really enjoy (pre-COVID):
Through Teoh, I found Urban Sketchers, an organization where you can join your local sketch group and have outings together. Obviously again, pre-COVID. I recently started following their Instagram, and here are some favorites!
Lastly, very very recently, I found Suhita Shirodkar at her blog Sketch Away. Through the Zero to Hero challenge, I was instructed to find blogs I liked, and then comment on them. It’s been so long since I used to follow blogs using a reader, but I’m still getting used to it. Anyway, I found this post called “And yet again, Wilder Ranch State Park” which I was immediately drawn to that last picture; the use of negative space and color and the textures of the waves really drew me in. I urge you to check her out if you’re also now interested in urban sketching! I have a million excuses on why I haven’t gotten started going outside and sketching yet, and one of the main ones is not being able to draw in the first place.
If you’re interested in something like this, or have been doing it for a while, let me know! I would love to have a chat with you!
