The film shelf
Eight public films on starting, buildings, line, wash and colour. Each is paired with something to notice and something to try.
Each preview is ready to play. Choose a film to watch it here. Public videos may mention separate paid courses; those are not required for our exercises.
Starting out · Sketching Scottie
Look for: Watch for the move from a broad composition to the main shapes.
Then try: Choose a corner of a room and draw its three largest shapes before any detail.
Watch on YouTube ↗On location · Teoh Yi Chie
Look for: Choose one question about working outdoors and note a useful answer.
Then try: Try one idea from the discussion on a fifteen-minute drawing from observation.
Watch on YouTube ↗Buildings · Teoh Yi Chie
Look for: Compare how much information is needed to make a small building readable.
Then try: Draw three buildings or building fragments in three minutes each.
Watch on YouTube ↗Line & wash · TobySketchLoose - Artist and Urban Sketcher
Look for: Look for the relationship between the initial shapes and the later colour.
Then try: Use a simple pen drawing as the basis for two broad washes and one dark accent.
Watch on YouTube ↗Line & wash · TobySketchLoose - Artist and Urban Sketcher
Look for: Notice how line and colour divide the work of describing a subject.
Then try: Draw one doorway; let a wash carry one edge that you leave out of the pen drawing.
Watch on YouTube ↗Colour · Jenna Rainey
Look for: Compare mixtures rather than expecting the colours to match your own set.
Then try: Make nine mixtures with three paints, then use three of them for a small object.
Watch on YouTube ↗Colour · Jenna Rainey
Look for: Distinguish water in the paint mixture from moisture already on the paper.
Then try: Test one colour at three strengths on dry paper and damp paper.
Watch on YouTube ↗Brushwork · Emma Jane Lefebvre (EmJ Watercolour Studio)
Look for: Watch how pressure and angle change a brush mark.
Then try: Make ten strokes with one brush, varying pressure, direction and paint load.
Watch on YouTube ↗Try a different word, or clear the filters to see the whole collection.
Your turn
Show your sketch, ask a question or tell us what you noticed. There’s room for the wonky windows too.
Pass it on
Send them the page. A useful idea is worth sharing.