Urban Sketching Decisions

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
When I was out for some errands, I decided to sit down on a bench to enjoy the nice weather while making a drawing of the street I was in, in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. This is exactly why I always bring my sketchbook with me - just in case!
I didn't film the process, but took a photo every couple of minutes, to show the decision process when urban sketching. I will talk you through each of the stage of making this drawing.
Hopefully, this video will answer questions I often get about drawing on location. How do you choose your subject? Where do you begin? How to deal with perspective? How to bring liveliness to the drawing? What if your proportions are all off (I promise, they WILL be!)? When to stop? When and where to add color? And then some.
If you and I would sit together to each draw this view, we would have completely different drawings because your interpretation will be so different than mine. And that's so exciting about drawing. Every time you draw, you are paying so much attention to how you feel, to what you see, to what you hear, to the colors, to what really captures your attention, to the story around the place...And that's what makes you an artist. You are interpreting and you are creating something out of this, and you're creating a memory that lasts because it's in your sketchbook. Isn't that exciting?
Materials used:
-Hahnemühlewatercolor sketchbook size A5
-Sailor fude fountain pen with 55degree calligraphy nib, filled with Platinum Carbon Black ink
-Daniel Smith watercolors
-Pentel Aquash waterbrush
Things mentioned in today's video:
-Join me in Paris! Paris Sketchbook Workshop in October: www.originalimpulse.com/paris...
-A few spots left for The Urban Sketching Vacation Workshop in Malta, smack in the middle of the mediterranean in November: studio56boutique.com/pages/ma...
-Join me on Patreon: / koosjekoene
....
BOOK
Get a copy of my book "Life is better when you draw it": www.koosjekoene.com/book
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Copyrights Koosje Koene
www.koosjekoene.com
/ koosjekoene

[@madebylora]

I always love your “good enough” attitude!! It’s really helpful and motivating. Aiming for perfection is too overwhelming to even get started!

[@nichichnichdu]

Sometimes she sais „It’s a little wonky but I don’t mind. It’s just a drawing“ I love her approach of just doing things and overcome the fear of perfection.

[@KoosjeKoene]

So true!

[@nelatgym1265]

So true

[@milenabdesign]

And lets all agree just how nicer the drawing is in comparison with the real picture. I love it!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks!

[@Papercitystudio]

Gracias!

[@Blick_Art]

Just beautiful! It really is true that continuous line drawing is great training for becoming more deliberate and forces us to consider the whole page from the very beginning.

[@carolynfuller6237]

Love your approach to drawing. It is so free and effortless but I know that it has come from lots of time spend (successes and failures) doing it. You give all of us encouragement that we can learn to do it too. Thanks.

[@KoosjeKoene]

So true, and thanks!

[@Bpl541]

The sky brought the picture to life. A really pleasant drawing on that day. I like the composition too and the way you keep happy and don’t get pulled down by perfectionism. The reason I love sketches is because they represent a moment in life and time. They aren’t static. Thankyou Koosje 🙏❤️🦆🎨🌲🐅

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you very much!

[@supriyo191187]

Love it! ❤ Urban sketching. 😊😊

[@emmahamilton1514]

This type of video is really helpful thank you ❤ Some people need more than “just draw what you see!” So this type of video really shows the thought process. Love it and I love that you are ok with things being a little out of proportion compared to real life. Just so encouraging to “baby sketchers,” like me taking my first steps in this kind of drawing. Thanks again so much.

[@KoosjeKoene]

You are very welcome! All those steps will add up to giant leaps!

[@emmahamilton1514]

@@KoosjeKoene I showed the video to my children and my 13yo son and daughter both had a great time sketching our shed and garden and then adding colour, after being inspired seeing your sketch. And they even made their own artistic decisions changing things a bit and leaving things out. So much fun 😊

[@KoosjeKoene]

@@emmahamilton1514 That's fantastic!

[@rashaesmith9183]

The drawing is far superior to the photo. Beautiful and interesting!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you!

[@chidimma3833]

Your own version of the house is finer than the actual one

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks!

[@katsmith8263]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ thank you!!!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Any time!

[@nelatgym1265]

I saw a tutorial on Domestika from puño about the trees. It was in his course where he explained where and how they grow out. It was really helpful for me!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Oh that’s great!

[@jankerslake5813]

Wonderful drawing. Thank you. I’ve taken my sketchbook on holiday with me and I’m doing some sketching every day. I’m enjoying it and hope to sketch outside later in the week - weather permitting. Thanks again 👍

[@KoosjeKoene]

Sounds great! You'll have a beautiful memento of your trip once you're back home.

[@angeladee8789]

Excellent video, thank you so so much.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fuzzydragons]

the most simplest things can make great sketches 😀

[@KoosjeKoene]

So true!

[@albertine2169]

Your drawing is so much more lively than the photo. Those buildings made me think of the ones we have here in north east Scotland.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@RadishTheFool]

Hey, you're right! I lived in Aberdeen for a couple of years. I loved the area, and was very happy there. When I returned to the Netherlands, I looked around where I wanted to live. I instantly fell in love with Amersfoort. The people here are more outgoing and in less of a hurry than in the big cities, but there is more to do and see than in the country. Also, it attracts a lot of people from outside the city. So very similar to Aberdeen. And now that you mention it, the architecture is pleasantly similar in its irregularity as well. 😊

[@arleneswartz9959]

This was fabulous! So helpful to begin to understand how one can make decisions "on the go". Great, thanks, Arlene

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@24cts]

Thank you - You’ve inspired me to enjoy drawing more!! Then adding a splash of color - expressive and joyful!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Have fun!

[@christinebell8980]

So helpful to see and hear your process. Thank you

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bakumania3280]

Tolles Video! Du hast mich überzeugt die richtigen Materialien zu nehmen und dein Bild ist toll geworden 👍

[@michaelostrander3681]

Thanks. Very interesting to listen to you discussing your process.

[@taketimetoseait396]

Like letting it B known...paint as we R living...individual. We share what we C, may not even go there until guidance is given...as U did in this lesson. Florida fan,Ann

[@tinayoga]

Thank you! It was very helpful to see how you begin, what you do next, and how you interrelate one portion of your drawing with the next. The “stop action” pictures made each step quite clear! Very much appreciated.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful.

[@chantalbazire8222]

Very informative video

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you liked it

[@TM6057]

Usually I find too boring this kind of photos. But you filled it with life in a moment. Thank you for showing there is no lost subject!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@peterthedoodler8435]

I enjoy watching all your videos, many more than once and as in this video, I'll get another bit of information that I missed. Watching your work is my favorite.

[@KoosjeKoene]

I am so glad my videos are helpful, Peter!

[@janenuse1051]

Wonderful

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@maggiefreeman6513]

Great tutorial thanks

[@KoosjeKoene]

You're welcome!

[@yvonneyakphoto2285]

Hi, I love the way you draw and teach, you are amazing!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Aww, thank you!

[@xoonaniart]

Tank you, this was so helpful and inspiring! 🌸😊

[@KoosjeKoene]

I'm so glad!

[@Mindverve7]

Koosje, I am really enjoying your book as well as this video. You have such a lovely engaging and encouraging personality and I love your style. Thank you for the inspiration and lessons😊

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you so much!

[@osks]

Very nicely done!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@susancook1617]

A lovely sketch, thank you Koosje 😊

[@dominiquebilodeau2225]

Thank you for reminding us that it is ok to make a drawing that is not perfect. It’s ok to make mistakes. I put so much pressure on myself to make it perfect that sometimes I am afraid to just pick up a pencil. I love your approach and you are a great teacher. I am slowly letting go of my fears and expectations as I am progressing (binge watching 😂) through your videos on your channel. I am building on confidence that I didn’t have before starting my art journey with you. I would love to be able to do a workshop with you but being so far away makes it difficult so thank you for sharing here on KZbin.🇲🇶🇨🇦

[@KoosjeKoene]

Your message makes me super happy!

[@tinacookieleesanchez6850]

Koosje I love watching you ! I love how you take the time to explain how you do your drawings your a grate teacher 💗 I just started watching you for a month now and I just started my very first art journal on a beach tip with my husband literally rn on the top ! Lol you inspired me to start do it ! 💗 thank you !!

[@KoosjeKoene]

That’s awesome! Have fun.

[@chidimma3833]

I Love You 💕

[@margarethurst8452]

Just fantastic! Your running commentary is outstanding...so helpful. Thank you!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@darmarferi]

Very nice..thank you so much!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Welcome!

[@fionarogerson1503]

Great video, fun to see how you think through a drawing. Just got your book in the mail a couple of days ago and am loving it. Your joy in drawing is infectious. See you in Paris in the fall.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you enjoyed the video, and my book too! Yay, Paris, here we come!

[@LaviniaNova]

This was very helpful! Thanks 🤗

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gordonjenkins1646]

a really honest video, really encouraging. thank you

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@studioTREY]

excellent video. lovely line!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad you liked it!

[@lorrainesaliba5469]

Hi dear Koosje ! What a delightful painting ! When I see a sketch and a reference photo I always love the sketch more even if it’s not perfect ! I just love how much character it has than seeing a ridged photograph ! Thank you so much for always sharing your tips and techniques which are always a great help to me and to others for sure ! I did sketch my handbag contents and got one lost lipstick and a favourite pen 🤗😁must check my other bags or should I say …must sketch the contents of my other bags !! Well, bye for now dear Koosje ! Have a great week ! Warmest regards…Lorraine 😁🥰🎨

[@KoosjeKoene]

I love it that you retrieved a lipstick and a favourite pen because of drawing your bag contents! Sounds like you have more drawing to do!

[@karenjackson5049]

Thank you so much, that was very helpful and very inspiring ☺️

[@KoosjeKoene]

So glad!

[@egyalma]

Lovely, super tips, thank you!! ❤ The only problem is that the first photo is cut shorter than the one you show later... So I was wondering where those windows come from in the right side of the page... 😂 I took snapshots of both and I try to make my own version. 😊

[@KoosjeKoene]

As an artist you can add windows or leave them out…so does it really matter? Maybe try drawing a view on your own, it’ll be more fun - enjoy!

[@Cijbra]

Hallo Koosje, kreeg jouw naam door van een groepslid van URBAN SKETCHING WALCHEREN, heb al een aantal van je tut's gezien, ben reuze blij met JOU!!! Bedankt, mvg Ine

[@KoosjeKoene]

Wat lief en leuk!

[@ingeleonora-denouden6222]

You could give workshops in that beautiful town shown in this video (I think it's Amersfoort)

[@KoosjeKoene]

Maybe at some point I will

[@JohnsArtLife]

Yes, I have to fight that inner voice too. One of my favourite urban sketches I've done so far had the wonkiest free flowing lines, not a straight line in sight. Yet, if I'd have taken time to listen to that inner critic and maybe done straight lines on the chaple, etc, I wouldn't have liked it. Great video, John, south of England.

[@KoosjeKoene]

"Wonky free flowing lines" - that sounds like music to my ears. Yay, John!

[@markdonovan1540]

Hi Koosje, where in Amsterdam can I get an English version of your book "Life is better when you draw it"?

[@KoosjeKoene]

The American Book Center at Spui

[@aangela7328]

My dilemma is being not too much distracted by details, but being enough details in my drawings.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Maybe you need to take a bit more time when you draw - or draw a smaller scene?

[@engleharddinglefester4285]

How do you know when you can call yourself an artist?

[@KoosjeKoene]

When you’re asking this question. Also: If you’re making stuff and enjoying it, you’re an artist.