January Goal: Practice Using a Loose Sketching Style
Virginia Garden Supply, Lynchburg, VA - paper, Micron fine tip pen, and watercolor.
In December I posted an article about the sketchers I follow because I like their loose sketching style. I have been trying to adopt that style myself, but because of other drawing commitments (house commissions) I haven’t really had time to dedicate myself to practice enough. My plan for January, however, is to create at least one loosely drawn sketch everyday.
The Woodstock Condominiums, Lynchburg, VA - paper, Micron fine tip pen, and watercolor.
I think it’s because of my early (high school 60 years ago!) love of drafting that I have tended to draw more realistically with straight lines, good perspective, and attention to detail. It is this habit that I’m trying to break. I don’t want to completely abandon careful and realistic drawing as most people who commission me to draw and paint their houses most likely expect that. However, when I practice urban or on-location sketching its the loose style I want to use.
The attached photos are of my first two practice sketches on paper and one digital practice done on my iPad using a new app I wanted to try (Tayasui Sketches Pro).
Historic Sandusky, Lynchburg, VA - done using Tayasui Sketches Pro on an iPad.
For this challenge I am choosing to use an old, nondescript sketchbook we found when cleaning out a cabinet recently. The paper is lightweight but is heavy/thick enough to take a fair amount of watercolor paint and water. I recently made a decision to only draw on quality watercolor paper since some drawings where I’m practicing actually do turn out pretty nice. But that was before I decided on this January challenge for a new year. I also need to get used to drawing second, third, etc. versions of sketches I do and using this sketchbook for this challenge may force me to do that.
