How To Bring Depth And Liveliness Into Your Drawings

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
If I may say so myself, this video is a big one. It's so much more than a regular Draw Tip. It's a class! And still, it's just 15 minutes; so you'll have time to draw after watching.
By answering a frequently asked question, I am sharing some of the "secrets" artists and designers use, which you now can start implementing in your drawings too, to bring more depth and life into your drawings.
As I said, this is a big one, a lesson, a mini-class. I teach live online mini-workshops every month, which everyone can join. I would love to see you there. It's easy to sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/organizati...
And if you'd like to learn more from me in person, check out my workshop schedule here: www.koosjekoene.com/workshops
I hope you agree that today's video, and my consistent weekly videos, have a lot of value. I do want them to be available for free for everyone, and you can support me to keep doing that.
Please consider backing me on Patreon: / koosjekoene
If you don't want to commit, whic I can totally understand, you can also simply buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/phkUNCsJY
Of course more nuggets of inspiration can be found in my book "life is better when you draw it" , which you can purchase online: www.koosjekoene.com/book
Materials used in this video:
-Faber-Castell PITT oil based black pencil
-Hahnemühle Nostalgie sketchbook, size A5
-Daniel Smith watercolors and a Pentel Aquash waterbrush
Copyrights Koosje Koene
www.koosjekoene.com
/ koosjekoene

[@JF-kv1gm]

"I'm not thinking about bicycles, I'm thinking about shapes"...this is often a problem for many...our mind gets really attached to that label and the Monkey jumps on our shoulder straight away.." it's too big/small, the angle's wrong, blah blah blah". Thanks, Koosje. A wonderful longer video and SO helpful. 🙏😊

[@user-qy5tw7yx1b]

This video was liberating because i was always thinking that i must be more accurate in my drawings.

[@KoosjeKoene]

I’m glad it was helpful!

[@albertine2169]

I so agree with you. If an artist wants photo realism ... then take a photo! We humans can be so much better than a mere camera ❤

[@JF-kv1gm]

You read my mind, I was just thinking the same thing!!

[@irismaguire]

Same here. That's why I don't enjoy hyperrealism or photorealism. I like wonky and playful lines. Imperfect is more interesting.😊

[@margaretstewart4058]

It is so helpful for you to explain your thought process in setting up the scene and then drawing and painting it. Thank you

[@juliamurschel1120]

I just discovered you and have already learned so much! Perfect length of videos, too. You rock!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you like them! Thank you!

[@Meyravee]

Longer than usual but found the combination of old sketches and live sketch really good. The best thing about your videos is they give me a courage top up

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you like them!

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

Thank you for the ideas.

[@OkieSketcher1949]

I might add things tend to go paler as they recede from the foreground. Case in point would be a mountain range with row on row of mountains one behind the other. Depth is depicted with paler mountains as one goes further into the background. I did enjoy your work almost as much as your descriptions as to what was going on and why. Really a good lesson for beginners and a good refresher for those who have been at it for some time. Thanks once again for this.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you, Robert!

[@debnealey3590]

Thank you for being real

[@KoosjeKoene]

Always.

[@kristinstewart5556]

Yay! The book arrived! It’s very solid and full of great ideas! Life just got better!!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Woohoo!

[@linesbylisa3557]

Now I understand composition! Thank you!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it's helpful

[@Bpl541]

I like the way you were thinking what to do next and painting. It came out very well. Thankyou Koosje. 🙏❤️🎨

[@KoosjeKoene]

My pleasure 😊

[@scrappyrubia9879]

Thank you for discussing freedom in drawing! I needed to hear it! Your book is coming to me in California from England

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yay, I hope you'll like it.

[@carolpenn1155]

So nice to see you drawing and painting. You are inspiring x

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you so much 😀

[@katecone7416]

This is so helpful! Thanks for permission to tinker with pictures. "Don't count the windows." That's what I try to do. Lol

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@luciam.8193]

The way you break things down is so impressive and helpful! I look forward to every DTT!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you like them!

[@adriennerichter8971]

Hi Koosje. This was very helpful. I have been struggling with adding depth and this has given me ideas on how to do it.

[@melissastar]

Thank you! :)

[@KoosjeKoene]

You're welcome!

[@reneecailloux2573]

I love your approach. Thanks for sharing!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks for watching!

[@MallorcaBoom]

Thank you 🙏🏾 for inspiring me again 👍🏽

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yay! You're welcome.

[@EnnyFromNL]

Thanks Koosje! This is exactly what I needed to improve my drawings ❤ see you in class 👋🏻😁

[@KoosjeKoene]

Great! See you soon!

[@karinmorin4781]

Great tips! I love your style and I’m loving your book!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yay! Thank you!

[@hansendesigns]

Great vid

[@bahaven1896]

Thank you SO MUCH! You are my inspiration! You always nudge me along with the right thing to say. I really appreciate that you do this for me (and probably us all!) :) PS I'm waiting on the arrival of your cool book too! I'm more of a painter than a sketcher but I'm trying to improve my skills which are sorely lacking! - Barb

[@suzannemarshall7458]

wonderful video full of great techniques and ideas.

[@karenvc8005]

I love your book. It indeed inspires!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you so much!

[@TheEmeraldy]

Thank you so much!! Inspirational💚💚💚

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DerekShinglesCoops]

I loved the final sketch and, informative and inspiring as always. I have recently purchased your book and am waiting excitedly for it to arrive. Thanks once again Koosje!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Awesome, thank you!

[@carolin98574]

Hi Koosje! With you I've learned to just enjoy drawing, and this mini class was (and will be) so inspiring and worthwhile. I love Draw Tip Tuesday every time! 🤩💕

[@KoosjeKoene]

Wonderful! Thank you so much!

[@claudinevandamme4809]

Excellent, love watching you, you explain everything so well, Thank you koosje.

[@rtdorion]

Koosje, I’m a big fan and look forward to your videos each week. Very inspiring as I make my way though my first sketchbook. I received your book last week and it’s terrific!! Thank you for sharing your art.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Great to hear! Thanks!

[@michellemeuser7435]

Ty

[@KoosjeKoene]

welcome!

[@elenagandini6951]

Thank you!🌹

[@KoosjeKoene]

Welcome!

[@Tonyas186]

Great ideas, thank you for sharing.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you like them!

[@chiarasola826]

Very very helpful video! Thank you 🥰

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ShirleiBarnes]

Love it ❤

[@watercolorpaintingintheaft9142]

Super! Thank you!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Welcome!

[@Drink-king1]

i know that this isn't an art thing but she gives asmr but I'm learning so much she's so good thank you for thins video😊

[@nocturnus009]

YES, 06:30 is so important: Betty Edwards makes the point about what to include & exclude in rendering the composition. On the surface she asks that we, “Perceive the light & dark” [4th of the 5 questions of saturation] but I think you & she are asking to perceive the chiaroscuro. How much to include is a play on what is illuminated & obscured.

[@astridKol]

I really like this videos. Thanks Koosje

[@havefunbesafe]

Helpful! Thanks!👍🏼

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@karlab9557]

Very helpful!

[@silviabou5635]

Very helpful! Thanks!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@darmarferi]

Thank you..very helpful!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@caro1591]

I love this video and your book, which really has inspired me to draw. ❤️

[@KoosjeKoene]

I'm so glad!

[@margotjerome2738]

very helpful video. thx.

[@debrarozin9940]

This is so helpful! I appreciate you walking us through your thought process and how you evaluate your scene!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thegreensun4944]

Thank you!!!! Super helpful. My problem is being afraid to go dark because “I might mess it up!” But like you said, if you don’t try, you’ll never learn. So. True. It hurts. 😭😆

[@KoosjeKoene]

You can do it!

[@gatubelasify]

Buenos días desde España 😘 Gracias por compartir sus vídeos 🤗🌺🦋⚘🌻🐞🧚‍♂️

[@dawndavidson6062]

Great video - helpful and inspiring! Thanks Koosje!

[@KoosjeKoene]

My pleasure!

[@DeeReneeChesnut]

Your book arrived yesterday! I am so excited.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yay! Thank you!

[@GinaHouse]

I love your tips so much!!! I'm still struggling with drawing my tea cup or mug every morning. It looks crazy weird. I'd also like to try sketching my kitchen, but rooms really intimidate me. I have such an interest in it that I hope I can get up the courage to try it. Thanks so much, Koosje! xoxo

[@KoosjeKoene]

You can do it! I am sure you can. What really can go wrong? A "bad" drawing is better than the drawing you didn't make at all...

[@GinaHouse]

@@KoosjeKoene You're right! Thank you!

[@GabrielaMartinez-si5og]

I love your videos! You are super inspiring! I have a question about something that is regarded as a no-no and would like your opinion about it. Is it “bad” to draw from pictures? Most of the time I feel self-conscious drawing on location, or I see something I’d like to draw but don’t have the time to stay in that place for whatever reason. Then, I’d take a photo and draw it at home when I have a chance. Is that a “bad drawing” practice? Thank you for your advice. 😊

[@KoosjeKoene]

Great question. I don’t think any drawing practice that fits your life could ever be a bad drawing practice. I also think that feeling self-conscious can be overcome by doing it anyway. I enjoy drawing on the location itself so much more than drawing from a photo of it. The things you hear, smell, feel - all your senses are involved - which is not happening when you draw from a photo. Feeling self-conscious may come from a bit of a lack of confidence when it comes to drawing. Or maybe it’s the fear that people might notice you and want to see the drawing that you’ve just started or that you may be struggling with at that very moment. The experience that I have when drawing on location is that people are always positive, even if I think the drawing sucks or when the drawing is just a few scratchy lines because I just started. Sure, at first it was way out of my comfort zone too. But these first times drawing in the streets I would just find a spot where I felt less exposed. When it comes to not having enough time to stay somewhere, maybe you can set up the drawing in line and then add color later (using a picture from reference). Again, if you like drawing from photos, there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just that I enjoy describing a place when I am actually there. It makes me more playful because I can add things that I see, that wouldn’t be captured on a photo or are out of frame. I sense that maybe you’d rather draw on location than draw from photos. If my sense is right, I encourage you to try it. Just start with quick little sketches, so that it feels less of a big project and so that you feel less exposed (or at least for a shorter amount of time). That way you are building more confidence through experience. Sometimes you need to push through a little, to expand your comfort zone) Does this answer your question?

[@deejaytori]

I love your sketches! Question: are the gray strokes in your sketches of the rooms added with a gray marker?

[@KoosjeKoene]

I don't know exactly what sketches you refer to but I hardly ever use grey marker. Maybe gray watercolor shading looks like marker?

[@deejaytori]

@@KoosjeKoene The sketch of the Airbnb room with the coffee presses in the foreground and the sketch of the room with the glasses on a table in the foreground.

[@bettedubois9925]

What are the advantages of the pencil you are using?

[@KoosjeKoene]

You can use any kind of tool. I just like using a colored pencil when I feel like getting a bit of a softer line than a pen gives me.

[@fuzzydragons]

lol i never understand why people count all the windows when sketching a house/apartment, that takes the fun out of sketching, just kind of guess lol