I'm Not Good At Drawing Nature. Yet.

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
Today is a beautiful day, so I'm taking you out for a walk and a sketch in the forest.
After last week's video, some may disagree but I dare to state that I'm not good at drawing nature.
Yet.
Which means I need to explore and find out how I can interpret everything that I see, into my drawing. And that means that I get to play!
Allow your sketchbook to be your place to learn. Your creative gym. Let's workout to become stronger. Let's use our tools to expand our skills.
You'll see me struggle finding my way through this drawing (with more than one moment of "panic" and wanting to give up). Once I surrender to the process and play with my tools, I start to relax more. And with every layer, with every discovery during the process, I get more courageous and more confident.
At first, I didn't think this video would make the cut for KZbin, but then again, I want to show you that every artist struggles.
To grow, you need to learn new things, and get out of your comfort zone.
So if you need an assignment this week:
Draw a subject or a scene that you're not so familiar with. Maybe evcen add to the challenge by using a technique or tool that you don't use often. Push through "the ugly phase" - giving your drawing more layers and some TLC, will make you feel better about it.
Don't forget to have fun. It's just your sketchbook, and you are learning so much with every page you fill!
You got this.
Materials used in this video:
-Seawhite of Brighton Hardcover Sketchbook, size A4
-Daniel Smith Watercolors
-Pentel Aquash Waterbrush
-Caran d'Ache Luminance Colored Pencils
-Derwent Inktense Watersoluble Colored Pencils
-Neocolor 1 White Crayon
....
If you like my Draw Tip Tuesday Videos, you'll probably also like my monthly live online sessions. I'd love to see you there!
Join my upcoming online mini-workshop, or learn from me in person here: www.koosjekoene.com/workshops
Please consider backing me on Patreon. You'd be helping me to keep consistently making Draw Tip Tuesday videos, and making them available for everyone for free:
/ koosjekoene
Thank you for considering to support me, it means a lot!
If you don't want to commit, I get that - you can also simply buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/phkUNCsJY
My book "Life is better when you draw it" is available for you to purchase online.
I wrote the book for people who love drawing and need inspiration.
It's about how drawing can make you happy and mindful. In the book, I share ways to embrace the daily sketchbook habit, tips, and lots of drawings from my sketchbooks.
If you want a copy - and I know you do - go here: www.koosjekoene.com/book
Copyrights Koosje Koene
www.koosjekoene.com
/ koosjekoene

[@chefbethbiscuit]

I love that you shared your feeling your way into the piece. I feel lots of times, when I start to make marks at something I’m looking at I’m slowly working on interpretation of what’s “out there” to what’s “in here”. Sometimes it translates to my liking, sometimes not. Thank you for sharing your adventure, Koosje.

[@KoosjeKoene]

I love that way of interpreting! And its so true. Sometimes it translates to your liking, sometimes it doesn't. But the process always teaches you something, I think

[@dfblake7]

Thank you for sharing your struggles Koosje...that makes all the difference as it is realistic and encouraging. This video has inspired me and that is priceless.

[@KoosjeKoene]

I am so happy to read that it's inspiring for you, Dorothy!

[@kellyro77]

I think you did a great job, pulling in all your skills from urban sketching. Landscapes are deceptively difficult for me, as well. You're right though - I won't get any better at them if I avoid them. Put in the practice and I'll see improvements. Thanks for sharing your process, as always!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yes, let's be courageous and step out of our comfort zones!

[@ulrikeselleckart]

Thank you Koosje, this is great!

[@anncorsaro224]

Thank you SO MUCH Koosje for sharing your struggles. I’ve lately let those same struggles get the best of me. I’ve used my excuse of being unusually busy to back off from my art to try something out of my comfort zone. So again, THANK YOU for the encouragement. And by the way, you did a great job with the painting. What a beautiful area.❤️👏

[@KoosjeKoene]

You hit the nail on the head. It's all about stepping out of your comfort zone! You can do it! A few comments below, I replied to Carol. It might be helpful to read that too.

[@anncorsaro224]

@@KoosjeKoene Thank you for taking the time to answer my comment. It was so helpful to read your comment to Carol too. I think there are so many artists “out there” that think they are alone in having some of these fears and struggles…..and then give up. I did for years. You do a great service to a huge community in sharing these things Kooese. You’re a Sweetheart!🥰❤️

[@ljkey2]

Thanks for sharing your difficulties. It’s very encouraging.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulas2370]

Thanks só much you are real, you are a human and you are great. Sincere, honest, you Share your feelings.Best vídeo ever. Love it.

[@andreacarina9429]

Who cares about the result... The important thing is to enjoy the process. Thank you for sharing.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yesss! Absolutely!

[@carolinevandyk3382]

Thank you for sharing. We are all going to dig up our white crayons too : ) Brilliant.

[@Mindverve7]

Thanks for sharing your struggle feelings. Super helpful for those of us just starting out, or in my case dusting off. So important to remember that practice is what it takes. You’re a terrific teacher and inspiring!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@a_m-wy]

Thank you Koosje for sharing this with us and showing your struggle as well. so many times we only see the good drawings of artists that we aspire to be so it makes it real ! So thanks ! 😊

[@KoosjeKoene]

exactly! I am glad you appreciate it.

[@jackikelly3495]

Thank you for sharing your process. It was helpful, so please don’t stop.

[@KoosjeKoene]

You got it!

[@karinmorin4781]

Thank you for sharing your creative process and working through the struggles. I’m encouraged to pick up my sketchbook again!

[@KoosjeKoene]

My mission is accomplished then!

[@jacie6185]

What everyone has so eloquently said about appreciating you sharing your thought process and struggles! And I LOVE your book. Very approachable and inspiring.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you!

[@daltrainer]

Thanks SO much for this! I often get to the "middle part" where I've panicked and given up on a drawing. I need to step back and really look at what's going on to see what is needed. Thank you for showing us your process. You give me inspiration every single week, and I am so grateful.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Oh yes, the panic you can feel during the process! That's basically your inner critic panicking because you're about to step out of your comfort zone. When you're about to give up on a drawing, it actually means it needs just a little more TLC

[@margarethurst8452]

This is one of my favorite Draw Tip Tuesdays! (I love them all...) Hearing you talk about your process was VERY useful. Thank you so much! I certainly see why you love your new surroundings!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JoelleFromParis]

Thank you for sharing the process with us, even when you were not happy with your drawing. These last strokes with the white crayon made all the difference! The final result is quite nice actually.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks!

[@kathharrison8001]

The problem with landscapes is that the eye and brain turn all that green into one solid block of nature. Getting contrasts in your greens is tricky and I have found that you often have to exagerate to make it look right from a sketch/artistic point of view. I think that you worked through the problem well and gave good explanations about the processes you went through and this gave you a good result. The last few marks did make a big difference though as it gave the final degree of separation needed between the big fir tree and the background. It's always lovely to hear you working through your work and I think this is one of the things that makes you a great teacher. 😎

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you Kath!!

[@garymcguire8529]

This hunting in nature, with out a gun or net, yet you can still capture it's beauty. The old Victorians loved to hunt butterflies with big nets, and pin them on the wall in their homes, now we hunt them with sketch books and watercolours. Now I pin my paper butterflies on the wall. Happy me!

[@KoosjeKoene]

I love that!

[@alicebeshay6124]

👍🌹This is just how I feel most of the time🫣 You are a great teacher and I think this turned out to be a good study. Thank you so much Koosje!! Groetje van Alice❤️

[@fayeward7337]

Thanks for sharing your uncertainties. Nice sketch too.

[@cassandrascott2613]

Thank you for sharing!!! So many of us stop at the ugly duckling stage! Advice one artist gives (that I have to repeat ALL the time) “if you don’t like it, then your not done yet!”🙂

[@KoosjeKoene]

good one!

[@kanner3831]

I really enjoy hearing how you worked thru this. What you thought it needed and how you tried to accomplish that change in your drawing, the how's and why's of your decisions. Not to mention the focus on the process, experience and learning that comes with trying new things. YET is my new mantra!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yet!

[@periwinkletree]

I think this looks amazing!

[@julieduncan1996]

Glad you didn't give up! It's magical! Love to see your process!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Me too!

[@maryhazlett]

I love this! I'd love it if you videoed your journey learning to draw nature. We could see the process of an artist learning something new. I thought your end result was really great. My artist dad occasionally took classes where he learned new things. They weren't going to change his style as much as they taught him things he could incorporate into what he did. So he enjoyed the process.

[@KoosjeKoene]

As an artist, you're never done learning and that is so very exciting!

[@chiarasola826]

Thank you for sharing this video! It's very useful and it's nice to see that even great artists like you struggle sometimes 😅

[@KoosjeKoene]

Of course. It's all part of the process and of creative growth. We're never done learning, which is very exciting.

[@ksifton]

Love this video and look forward to many more nature drawings! This style with mixed media is very intriguing to me. I'm a beginner and i'm very excited to learn with you! Thank you for sharing!

[@KoosjeKoene]

You're welcome!

[@lilybay1]

Love this video

[@andrewrea2799]

Thanks for sharing your struggles with your drawing. It turned out well in spite of your concerns.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you so much!

[@user-cv9mk4kl3k]

Wow! Beautiful landscape drawing and really interesting drawing process. I knew how to use many kinds of drawing stuff! Thank you for sharing.

[@KoosjeKoene]

You're welcome!

[@annhoung9800]

enjoy watching your videos. can feel how much you love drawing. Thx for sharing!

[@fuzzydragons]

the white def made a huge difference!😀

[@graham3377]

My answer to that I can’t draw question is alway “Well I can’t play guitar and drawing is a lot easier for me” Love the use of the white crayon, I’ve already added one to my small travel set 👍

[@KoosjeKoene]

I love that answer! I also use the example of learning to play an instrument; it doesn't happen overnight.

[@jerry_wayne_adventures2005]

I really enjoyed this video. I'm glad that you share with us that you struggle with the process at times and it's not always sunshine and rainbows, keeps it real to us. Thank you again and I always look forward to your videos.

[@KoosjeKoene]

You are so welcome!

[@ImaniTolliver]

Thank you for your transparency! I can relate so much…when I’m struggling with a painting, I tell myself, “Keep going until you love it”…it’s about faith that I what I need is within me. Letting go and learning …❤

[@KoosjeKoene]

Exactly!

[@The_artistic_yogi]

I like that you share the good but also the not so good (according to you 😉) because it encourages me to keep trying and mostly just enjoy the process!!!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful. You can do it!

[@dawndavidson6062]

What a great lesson Koosje - thank you for the encouragement. So helpful to see your process!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@emgjagogg]

I love this so much! I was just in nature yesterday and took photos of my walk. I tried to recreate the images in watercolor this AM and struggled! I am going to try again and experiment with different materials and marks after seeing your video. Thank you!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Have fun!

[@elkesommer4735]

I'm so happy you continued with your drawing, ist turned out so well.

[@carmenzaldivar4393]

Thanks You always talk with honesty the good the bad and the ugly. I'm going to incorporate to my vocabulary the. "Jet". It is a motivational word

[@KoosjeKoene]

I agree, totally motivating!

[@Vickylcornell]

Always inspiring! ❤

[@janetwhincup8057]

That is marvellous and so inspiring. I love it.

[@KoosjeKoene]

So glad!

[@polly5766]

I think you are good at drawing nature Koosje..thanks

[@carolfillmore6533]

I like this very much! I understand the struggles...my struggles occur when I attempt urban sketching. They look like 3 year old scribbled a bunch of wonky lines lol I'm determined to get better though!

[@KoosjeKoene]

They are exactly the same struggles. With a different subject. I think "pushing through" the "ugly phase" is key. Of course that could also mean you're overworking the page, but if you're not happy about it yet anyway, then it doesn't really matter all that much. When learning something new, like drawing nature, or urban sketching, we tend to think about the end result we'd love to achieve. Let's not forget to enjoy the process as we attempt our sketches, so that we also are present along the way and learn from every step we take. What I often see when people are learning to draw on location (or Urban Sketching), is that they trend to stop drawing a little too early. 1. because they feel like their wonky scribbles are "bad" and at the same time 2. because they are afraid they'll mess up the drawing if they add anything more. While if at that point, you push yourself out of your comfort zone, and remind yourself to be courageous, then you will be adding another layer or more line which is going to make the drawing more YOU. Dare to be bold. And remind yourself that it's just pen on paper. Have fun with the wonky scribbles you put on paper. Embellish them with the colors that you notice, maybe even emphasize the wonkiness. It's an active and creative way to shoo away the inner critic that keeps telling us that our scribbles are "bad drawings". Long answer, but I think you touched upon a topic that a lot of people encounter. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Carol!

[@carolfillmore6533]

@@KoosjeKoene Thanks so much for your reply! I think I do stop too early when drawing urban settings for the very reasons you mentioned. Yes my art is on the wonky side so your suggestion of being bold and embrace the wonkiness is something I'll try. Working outside in winter in Canada isn't really possible all that often so it will be spring when I get outdoors to sketch. Your reply is very appreciated and very helpful Thank you!!

[@lorettaarmstrong3881]

I very much like your free moving instruments both watercolor and pencil! Nice to see you do not ponder which color or how fast or slow you make your marks! Thank you for catching up with me again.

[@KoosjeKoene]

My pleasure 😊

[@chriscooper4579]

Koosje, it was so wonderful to see you share your challenge with drawing nature.. I learnt to draw with your wonderful creation Sketchbook Skool 4 years ago. It was life changing. I am now also being challenged with drawing nature as we take road trips and travel across Australia. I’m struggling but am inspired by your persistence to keep going. Great video. PS. I’m waiting with anticipation for the arrival of your book which is on its way. 👏👏

[@KoosjeKoene]

Wonderful!

[@janetc3707]

Helped a lot! Thanks!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it helped!

[@kendravanwesemael6863]

I really love it! Thanks for sharing

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks for watching!

[@greasylimpet3323]

You're good at drawing everything. I love the way you used the actual scene as a guide rather than making yourself draw it exactly. I need some of your confidence! It's a lovely picture.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Let's rephrase it this way: I enjoy drawing everything. That might make the difference in confidence.

[@greasylimpet3323]

@@KoosjeKoene okay, you can rephrase it! You have a talent for drawing, how's that? I know it's a thing that definitely gets better with practice; some of the things I drew years ago I can hardly believe I did them. (I haven't been doing any for too long) I love your artwork.

[@24cts]

Thank you ! I recently found your channel for Draw Tip Tuesdays. I love painting nature - en Plein air OR in the studio. Thanks for sharing both your emotional and mark marking journey through this sketching experience. Sometimes my “fun factor meter” gets low and I get discouraged - learning to just keep going - be curious and experiment - puts the fun factor meter back up ! I will definitely add a white crayon now to my sketching materials!

[@KoosjeKoene]

I'm so glad to know showing this process was helpful!

[@annerandles1458]

What a lovely inspiring video! Thank you Koosje! X

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@albertine2169]

I love that you carried on even though , at times, you were not happy with what you were doing. I was there with you 😊😍

[@KoosjeKoene]

I'm not unhappy with my drawing - I quite like the result too. I just had certain points I wanted to give up during the process... Thanks!

[@albertine2169]

@@KoosjeKoene you are very inspiring 🌹🌹🌹

[@omybeach8743]

That has been a tough one, right? But very helpful to see how things turn if you stick to it. Great lesson. Tip for using watercolor pencils, straight from the tip of the pencil with wet brush, works great. Have fun at your bew place, Koosje.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks!

[@peev180]

I’d be very happy with that outcome…nice video…

[@KoosjeKoene]

So am I. And with the time spent drawing.

[@Powerphail]

I think it's lovely, and how exciting to have such a beautiful place to start tackling new and challenging subject matter. Thank you for sharing this!

[@KoosjeKoene]

You are so welcome!

[@mell5778]

Heerlijk! Gelijk weer zin om in het natuurgebied te gaan zitten tekenen 🌞

[@MsFeldsalat]

Thank you Koosje, for that very inspirational video. I adore your work, but i have to say it's good to know that even the best of us struggle from time to time.

[@KoosjeKoene]

It's part of creation!

[@watercolorpaintingintheaft9142]

I think it turned out great! I love that you were bold with your strokes because I can be such a mouse with mine sometimes and really struggle with letting go. By the way, what is a drop shadow?

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yes! Be courageous and bold! You can do it. A drop shadow, also known as cast shadow, is the shadow that is cast below or next to a subject (depending where the light source is), usually on the ground.

[@gayleyip6689]

Thank you for being vulnerable with us. This was a good exercise to keep going and embrace the uncomfortable.

[@KoosjeKoene]

You're very welcome!

[@arioctober]

🗣️📣 IF YOURE NOT MAKING UGLY STUFF YOURE DOING IT WRONG! 💞

[@KoosjeKoene]

YESSS