Urban Sketching Series Pt 1 | Some basics

[@TheLonewolf114]

It's almost shocking how so many messy or imperfect scribbles make such a beautiful whole. Great teaching, great music and above all a great inspiration. Thank you for this video.

[@alphonsodunn]

Very welcome : )

[@jazztheblast279]

plz can you tell me what pen are you useing and what supplise do you use its the first time i see that

[@alphonsodunn]

I put a list of some of the general tools I use in the description. I will do a video as well

[@kalmeerperd4676]

"shocking how so many messy or imperfect scribbles make such a beautiful whole" ... kinda like us people

[@clonkex]

This is why many beginners give up so easily. They don't notice that the pros often start out just as scribbly and imperfect as they do, and assume they've failed just because it doesn't immediately look good.

[@shockerjason]

I seriously love your videos. I just picked up drawing (at age 24) this week. I love how you make drawings your own and don't try to paint an exact picture of what you're looking at.

[@alphonsodunn]

Jason Daniel Glad they help...:-)

[@haramiwahed3386]

***** ur amazing keep sketch ing

[@blackshadow7520]

Are you alive?

[@trsguts]

30 now?

[@vepenexsuiii1275]

31 now

[@FutileGrief]

Thank you for this! When you search for urban sketching on youtube you just find tons of people showing off their amazing skill and saying "just draw what you seeeee!!". You're an amazing teacher. The way you speak of framing the scene is so essentially simple and mind blowing, I don't know why I never thought of that. Thank you!

[@joyee0131]

Amazing tutorial! I am an architectural student and this really helps alot in visualizing space. Keep up the good works sir : )

[@alphonsodunn]

Joyee Lee no worries...glad it helped :-)

[@gawaz365]

architecture me too

[@ahmedsaffah5222]

ditto

[@sadiksuleiman6776]

Am an Architecture student too. You graduated?

[@rayedaislam532]

me too ! same here

[@rajdeepchowdhury.2003]

I have been sketching for last 14 years but I have not seen many people who sketch this good and also explain it that interestingly.Thanks

[@bernardpoulin9684]

Teaching is one of the few professions which are essential. Not everyone is or can be a good teacher. Alphonso Dunn is a VERY good teacher. He gives credence to the best that the profession can be. Thank you Mr. Dunn.

[@bartholoclumpdink7246]

Words cant do justice to how exited I got when I saw this series announced! I can't wait to see some videos of you actually out and about sketching. Thank you for listening to you fans.

[@alphonsodunn]

Bartholo Clumpdink :-) thank you

[@Bardregan]

Is it weird that I use my sketchbook sparingly because I don't want to 'waste the pages' ? It's really an obstacle for when I feel like drawing and I was wondering if that's a normal thing that artists figure out how to overcome ...

[@alphonsodunn]

+YourClosetLlama lol I understand but you need to violate those pages. Just do a mess on them to get rid of that feeling

[@Bardregan]

Makes sense. I'm also new at sketching so i suppose it's something I'll pick up as days go by. :) Your videos are inspiring and I love to draw along with some of them.. My favorite was the seascape with the boat sailing on it in your how to draw water tutorial.

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks. Keep it up. Dont stop

[@iliveinarichgirlsdream]

This is really late but once you realize how much paper you have(there is) if you’re a paper hoarder like me lol then you just want to use as much of it as possible otherwise it’s a waste rather have scribbles than nothing on a paper

[@kennethsaesthetic283]

YourClosetLlama I spare my pages too but I believe that you me and everyone else can over come it

[@MegaBenschannel]

I feel the excitement and passion in this guy.... Love the "see that!"

[@27Pyth]

Love that piano!

[@bouchramukaa5693]

Finally, bro I was looking for a comment from 2024 😂😂

[@jordanna343]

I like how you give very concrete, step by step instructions. I can tell your thinking hard to consider the mind of a beginner whereas I’ve found other people who do similar videos seem to have forgotten what it’s like to be a beginner and skip through things, assuming we already “know” because it’s feels like common knowledge to them.

[@starboy138]

You are the most thorough teacher I've ever seen teach this subject. Thank you for being so thorough and really breaking it down in an easy to understand way! So glad I found you!

[@madhatterscrafts1233]

I love the way you teach I have bought your first book and learned so in conjunction with your KZbin channel I will be getting your second book I get it now It clicked for me when you said about simple shapes. I thank you for all your hard work.

[@wendi4418]

I wanted to thank you for teaching the way I get it.I am self taught,but I am not a very good teacher!This is what I would imagine art school could have taught me if I went there,not an option.Thank You for giving away this information!You are truly a blessing!

[@dianegreen2139]

Greetings! Mr.Dunn I love your style of teaching i watch your classes weekly my art work is much much better since i started your classes. keep up the good works! thank you very much never to old to learn 67 year old artist.

[@alphonsodunn]

diane green :-) Thank you. Ttats inspiring

[@shelleymetherall9301]

Your a great teacher. What a blessing you are to be willing to share your time and talents with us! Thank you.

[@alphonsodunn]

+Shelley Metherall thanks so much

[@beetlewing]

Great video - thanks so much for taking the time to make this! I really like your approach and delivery.

[@alphonsodunn]

+beetlewing Thanks much. Glad it was useful :-)

[@2jzTireBurner]

Your explanation starting at 12:00 helped me a ton! I often struggle drawing the very first lines on a blank page.

[@khunngunn]

I'm about to start learning to sketch. This's very inspiring. Thank you so much!

[@alphonsodunn]

+Nittshkeul Aramwit Very welcome :)

[@mayj77]

How’s it going?!

[@shepdoganimations6360]

You're a wonderful human being for making these videos available to us all. They're great.

[@GroovyMic374]

It is a gift to be able to show complexity look so simple that the viewer can follow your steps easily. Thank you for that, very inspiring!

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks much : )

[@QuickR]

This series looks like it will be exciting. Thanks. Since I have not commented here before I want to mention the obvious excellent of the videos in this channel. It is very rare to find an good artist who is also a good teacher, but here it is. For me, this is the best go-to channel for ink drawing and general basics.

[@alphonsodunn]

Max Chandler thanks so much :-)

[@emilymichael5813]

love watching you put detail in and inking everything. so inspired now

[@alphonsodunn]

Now go and create! 😊

[@FBsqeddo]

I think that you have an amazing way of seeing things and thinking about them. I also really appreciate the way you can explain your thoughts and transfer your special view onto different objects to your listeners.

[@alphonsodunn]

FBsqeddo thanks much

[@joanistotler8804]

So once again, Alphonso - you are genius and a wonderful teacher - love your videos - so much info! Thank you!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much. Glad they help

[@heatherhuggins5888]

I've tried a lot of online art classes -- Skillshare, New Masters, all sorts of things. But your KZbin channel is what I keep coming back to. Thanks for everything you do.

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏

[@lujeanmartin8429]

Very informative video!!! I'm looking forward to the rest of this series and thank you for taking the time out of your day to do these lessons! Much appreciated. :)

[@alphonsodunn]

Lujean Martin no problem

[@joedmetal574]

Just amazing the way you can teach.....Thank you for uploading your videos ...you have inspired me to draw and paint while going through cancer treatment .

[@rdoetjes]

Okay Alphonso I learned a lot from you so I will teach you something about photography ;) As a DP and Photographer we consciously make decisions too as to what to have in focus and what not. We work consciously with depth of field, but also highlights, this is especially the case with films where we have control over the light. Not so much street photography but also there most of us, will manipulate the image to raw the attention some place. Composition is of course one just like in drawing but also guiding lines an area with high contrast a light area that draws the eye. I do think that most photographers and DPs are very conscious about the fact that as you say the camera captures everything (not everything in focus persay) so we need to guide the eye. I really love your courses man! I do a lot of mattepainting and set extensions for films. And I was convinced that I could only draw by cloning from other images and composing images. Because I always sucked at drawing with pens/pencils. When I saw my colleague during my day job doodle I was like: "I could never do that." He said: "I have seen your digital art and you movie shots, you can do this! If you can draw with a computer you can learn to draw with pen and pencils. It's just different tools! You have the knowledge about values, composition, horizon lines, textures. You just need to just do it and practice." So I started to youtube and found you and only one week in doing 1 doodle every evening I actually do feel I am progressing. More importantly, I do like it! Doing mattepainting in photoshop and 3D tools became a job, this is just sit back and relax. Keep it up man!

[@alphonsodunn]

That was sooo awesome! Thanks so much sharing that! I took some useful points from all you shared. Thank you

[@judigibbs]

Such helpful information. And SO MUCH! I am loving how you tell us to CHOOSE what WE want to draw of a scene; I struggle so often with trying to do it ALL and end up doing nothing I am happy with. So freeing - look at it all and then decide what I want to put in the picture. This one lesson has taught me more about how to visualize what is in front of me and how to make decisions based on what I like. Thank you so very much. I am going to do the entire series and go slowly. Perhaps even repeat them. I have both of your books and need to do more work with them as well. You are really a great teacher. Take care.

[@azulisa2575]

your art inspires me A LOT!!!!!!!!!

[@alphonsodunn]

yayyy : )

[@zoridahall4732]

Your tutorials are one of the best ,the way that you explained each details,the best, awsome instructor, love it zoe

[@BloodiedCactus]

In one part of the video, you mentioned how you can create many different drawings from the one image based on what you emphasize. I think a cool tutorial idea for this series would be if you took one picture and created multiple sketches from it, each with a unique focal point.

[@alphonsodunn]

Sebastian Paine yes, thats coming up and also how to create emphasis with how you render

[@williamheywood9115]

You are such a great teacher and such a great gentleman too. I used to be so intimidated about drawing buildings , but your teaching has given me so much encouragement and helped me build my confidence.

[@doriangel97]

Wow youre a great teacher, thank you!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thank you

[@backnhell]

best on youtube

[@keidronmiller7273]

I agree... Very meticulous..!

[@Cryos737]

This was really enjoyable to watch. I love this sort of 'less is more' sketching where you only have a couple of tools and just use simple techniques like hatching to do the value. Really impresses me for some reason.

[@alphonsodunn]

: )

[@katiewelikanna3588]

Thank you thank you for breaking this down, I've learnt so much in the space of 20 mins than 5 years 😀

[@vicino.]

you're the man man...... helping SO so much... the way you are not stuck on details... used to be afraid and end up wasting time and energy.. thanks!!:)

[@alphonsodunn]

welcome :-)

[@suzieirby2137]

You are the best! I recommend you to all new artists...and experienced ones too.

[@alphonsodunn]

Suzie Overman Thanks so much! :-)

[@lorijones9579]

Your line and wash work is fantastic. I want to develop my own style, of course, but while that happens I'm happy to learn all I can from what you do. Thank you for sharing!

[@alphonsodunn]

+Lori Jones very welcome

[@rayunseitig6367]

best teacher.

[@alphonsodunn]

: )

[@MrJaydiamond]

Nice. Great stuff. I am a pianist who has believed for the past 46 years that I couldn't draw a bath. Your way of breaking down the image into basic shapes has changed my approach to both drawing and music. Since i started drawing "with you", I have never been so aware. I am noticing , not only things in my general environment, but of the little things attached to objects that i've taken for granted for years. I found your book online and I am waiting with baited breath for it to arrive. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[@alphonsodunn]

very welcome! I believe music, visual art, writing, theater, dance, and all the other arts speak the same essential language. Thanks for that insightful comment : )

[@MrJoeblofromidaho]

Nice. Very nice. Your students must count themselves lucky.

[@alphonsodunn]

: ) thanks so much

[@chrono5128]

This is inspiring...just the way you open all of the options for it

[@anazdravic2953]

Alphonso is my contemporary artist hero : ) thank you for a great, informative, and inspiring video

[@alphonsodunn]

+Ana Zdravic :-) thanks and you're very welcome

[@cherrysingh3259]

I have watched so many videos on youtube on drawing and yours are by far the most helpful. You are amazing at your art and thank you so much for sharing your passion, it's contagious.

[@alphonsodunn]

+Cherry Singh Thanks so much

[@londimastermind]

Fantastic - a pleasure to watch

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks

[@tonycook7457]

your instruction has put the joy back in my enjoyment of sketching. im grateful. hell i may even "throw on ye olde pinkie of ring o' yore" just to honor you! lol

[@basketchairgamer]

Honestly this is university level drawing class you are giving out for free. Thank you for your clear, concise and easy to understand explanations.

[@lloydschlomerdude1930]

Wow, what great tips!! At first I thought drawing urban landscapes like this would be impossible but your tips really break down the key components and it doesn't seem so impossible anymore!

[@alphonsodunn]

Lloydschlomerdude Great! Then I have success. Now its just for you to actually give it a shot :-)

[@FrancescoVentrice]

i like your style! you're amazing drawer. I try to ink like you!

[@alphonsodunn]

+Francesco Ventrice Thank you!

[@NZyoutube]

+Francesco Ventrice Yeah, amazing 'drawer' and a wardrobe too lol xP

[@madisonkempher]

+nizamm draw·er ˈdrôr/ noun noun: drawer; plural noun: drawers 1. a boxlike storage compartment without a lid, made to slide horizontally in and out of a desk, chest, or other piece of furniture. 2. dated humorous underpants. 3. a person who draws something, in particular. a person who writes a check. a person who produces a drawing or design. archaic another term for tapster. Check yourself.

[@karenvc8005]

This is a great series! I watched a few out of order that I stumbled across on KZbin and finally looked up the entire series. I draw along with you when I watch, usually beginning with your photo reference and then start adding to it from whatever is outside my window. I always learn so much from watching your approach.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thats sooo awesome

[@jamescaution1803]

Absolutely amazing!

[@alphonsodunn]

James Caution Thanks :-)

[@thoughtdujour]

This is EXACTLY what I've been searching for months. Finally broke through KZbin's algorithm and found you! Subscribing.

[@rayunseitig6367]

nice, and nice and simple. thanks.

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks

[@Akaawol]

Great choice of music to sketch by. Beautiful art!

[@nadiaresta9545]

just discovered your channel here on youtube... enlightening!

[@alphonsodunn]

thanks much : )

[@christiankneiser5513]

Man, I tell ya..I really enjoy your style. I just started drawing again last year when I wasn't sitting at home unable to work from a knee injury. I've checked out alot of different you tube "how to draw" type of channels, and you are one of the few that actually explains how n why you do things in your drawings. I hope to see you out here for a long time to come.

[@alphonsodunn]

Christian Kneiser :-) Thanks...I hope so too lol

[@BillyCoopDraws]

Thank you Sensei. 82K sub'd? I guess that says it all. I am so happy you are starting this series. I hope we get to get through it before you move on to " how to draw the known universe" :)

[@snemoh]

In an age & time that nothing comes for free, thank you for sharing your knowledge & expertise in this much detail 🙏 Been extremely insightful.

[@raihaanaazmi5234]

Amazing drawing! You are so talented

[@alphonsodunn]

Raihaana Azmi thanks :-)

[@mamuyan2144]

Thank you sir, your advice about the movement of the fingers vs wrist vs arms really helped me !

[@Misana]

This was great. Thanks

[@alphonsodunn]

+Misana welcome :-)

[@jini0309]

It feels like this tutorial organize every useful tips that I ve known in my head very clearly. I tried to start learning sketching lots of times and failed but I think I can start this time really. Thank you very much for sharing this amazing video for free and your efforts.

[@make-believeworld]

i like the music

[@rajeswararaoganugula417]

I have purchased many books and draw according to my own habits but your lessons are telling where we make mistakes, great help to me, Thank you.

[@ushergold5149]

Greatest art teacher I've ever come across! The more I watch his tutorials, my love to black people increases!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much

[@webmastervds]

I don't think I've ever hit the subscribe button faster on any channel. I've just started pen drawing recently, and all your videos are so inspiring and educational! Great job!

[@alphonsodunn]

+Vidhur Divakar thanks much! : )

[@jsunshine4]

Great Post

[@connorphillips8189]

Awesome tutorial! I've never thought about framing stuff in that way, can't wait to watch the rest of the series!

[@alphonsodunn]

***** Thanks...a new perspective never hurts :-)

[@shimmer404]

thankyou..it was so useful..i love your style:)

[@silverriverjewelry]

Excellent info and you enthusiasm and love for the process of creating comes through loud and clear. I really enjoyed how much you enjoyed explaining these concepts!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks lol. Cant help that that comes across. Really enjoy sharing what I know

[@sonjamcclung6060]

***** That's a good thing!

[@AVest421]

I really love your videos. And your style really inspires me a lot. But I'm a big newbie in sketching and would love to buy your book. But I live in Sweden, so do you now if there's a way for me to get it ?? And I'm also wondering why the blue pencil ?? and what kind of pen is it ??

[@david_the_noob_0422]

I think the blue pencil is used because of the high contrast, its easier to separate it rather than to have a normal graphite pencil which produces similar values when compared with a pen, so creators can easily see what to do. At least that's what I think

[@PickledHumann]

Very informative! Glad I stuck around. That lesson on perspective on how your gonna frame it was a gem!

[@DarryanDhanpat]

can you do a tutorial on drawing classical architecture? perhaps a baroque church

[@alphonsodunn]

Darryan Dhanpat a baroque church? hmmm, might just add that in

[@DarryanDhanpat]

please

[@damonboyle2747]

Wow just stumbled upon this whilst looking for tutorials to draw in pen. Very new to the world of art so looking forward to seeing where it leads Wish me luck.

[@AnasAljandali]

Nice and helpful

[@alphonsodunn]

Anas Aljandali thanks

[@SanArtStudio11]

Excellent artwork with such brilliant details and designed. Hope you have a wonderful day.

[@strongfish914]

of all the drawings hands are easily the hardest

[@carm9716]

I recommend your videos to my art students because you explain everything clearly, quickly, and thoroughly. Thank you for doing such a great job.

[@alphonsodunn]

Art Teach thanks so much. I really appreciate that

[@forjazznjava]

thank you

[@alphonsodunn]

you're welcome

[@111chani]

I found your channel yesterday and I'm hooked. You're a fantastic teacher and I so appreciate your tips!

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂

[@Nattyatik]

Olé, Olé, Olé tú y tu arte Alphonso!!! and lucky I am to find your tutorial, because long time ago I want to start urban sketching. I like to travel and every place I've been, I saw people drawing each of their experiences in a sketchbook, and that motivated me to want to start drawing. Thank you for your generosity and want to share with us your knowledge and the beauty of your art :) GRACIAS!! ;)

[@janejohnson3395]

Very nice! Thank you! I'll be watching all the videos about urban sketching.

[@brotdw2]

I really think that I'm going to start drawing again because of your videos. Keep posting! Thank you so much!

[@alphonsodunn]

+Terrell Williams awesome! Start ASAP lol

[@LazyPlectrum68]

Thank you Alphonso! Always very inspiring, educational and a pleasure to watch. Keep up the good work!

[@hypatia4754]

This was brilliant! I learned so much. Thank you!

[@janine_wwfroggles3219]

Really helpful, Thank you! Our teacher at art school is trying to get us thinking like this, but seeing another artist doing it really helps me see what I can do in my own work.

[@alphonsodunn]

+Froggy Art Janine Goodrum :-)

[@cherieferro1427]

Thank you for this--a place to get started as a beginner. Much appreciated.

[@rvgytroblox634]

Beautiful I love the sketch! it gives it italian feeling i love it!

[@ziyangpoh]

Thanks! I'm an architect and it's refreshing to see buildings in the eye of great artists. Drawing is slowing dying in architecture world, but it's still the best way to tell story and developing ideas.

[@alphonsodunn]

+Ziyang Poh It is indeed a powerful way to tell stories!

[@ahmadelhaddad5940]

scsiy

[@paintlikewater]

Just recently discovered my love for this type of art. You explained it very well for a beginner like me. Thank you!

[@alphonsodunn]

Awesome! Glad it helped 🙏

[@millweed1988]

man, I just bought your books and I can't wait to get started. If you ever make a patreon page I would support in a heartbeat. such beautiful work

[@Essbee1]

Jaysus man!!! I'm in awe of this!! Finally a tutor that just gets to the point and has a shite tonne of information!! Love your techniques! Just... kudos man! Much love! :)

[@alphonsodunn]

Sharon Brady Much thanks

[@cosmictraveler731]

You are a beautiful man for sharing your skills with the world. Thank you.

[@vigneshb5347]

Thanks a lot for explaining it and telling us how its done. Feels motivated when I hear from the masters.

[@alphonsodunn]

Glad I could help : )

[@marishiedraws9484]

Wow! Eye opening! Thank you so much!!

[@nancyspicer6046]

Thanks for your instruction. This is what I am wanting to do outdoor drawing. Now to start working. Take care.

[@alphonsodunn]

Nancy Spicer thanks much :-)

[@TheGunmakers]

Alphonso, I really enjoy your tutorial videos. Well demonstrated and explained works. I have never thought much about pen and ink works, but you have got me started. Thanks

[@alphonsodunn]

James Knight :-) thanks. You'll have lots of fun

[@catwithatail]

I love these tutorials. Thank you so much!