Urban sketching is a thriving artistic movement that encourages capturing the energy and spirit of our everyday environments through spontaneous on-site drawing and painting. In our 15 years installing… While the traditional line and wash technique of sketching in pen or ink and then adding watercolour accents is a beloved staple, there’s an entire world of unconventional approaches to explore when it comes to urban sketching.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
In this in-depth guide, we’ll dive into experimental ink wash techniques that push the boundaries of urban sketching and unlock fresh creative expression. From establishing loose, expressive backgrounds to selectively applying ink over watercolour, you’ll discover how to infuse your sketches with a dynamic, free-flowing energy. Whether you’re a seasoned urban sketcher or just starting to explore this vibrant medium, these innovative methods will inspire you to approach your next sketch with a spirit of adventure and playful experimentation.
Painting First, Drawing Later
One of the most liberating approaches to ink and wash is to start with the paint before reaching for your pen or ink. This “paint first” method, championed by urban sketching luminary Liz Ackerley, encourages you to establish a spontaneous watercolour foundation as the initial step.
“I love the way she splatters on the paint and lets it drip down the page,” Ackerley shares. “You can see she has a plan even though it may look like she is just mindlessly throwing paint down on the page.” By shaping her brushstrokes to follow the contours of the scene, Ackerley creates a dynamic, expressive underpainting that serves as a guide for her subsequent ink linework.
Pencil and Paint Muse contributor Taria echoes this sentiment, finding the paint-first approach to be a valuable tool for loosening up her sketching process. “I absolutely love experimenting with the paint first approach. It really helps me loosen up just by the nature of using watercolour and knowing that later on I will come and tighten things up just a little (or sometimes a lot) with some lines.”
By embracing the inherent unpredictability of watercolour, you can allow the medium to lead the way, revealing unexpected shapes and textures that can inspire your subsequent ink drawing. This spontaneous, intuitive approach encourages you to let go of control and embrace the happy accidents that arise, leading to sketches brimming with energy and vibrancy.
Ink Over Watercolour
If the idea of starting with a blank page and pure watercolour feels a bit daunting, you can also try the reverse approach: establishing your initial sketch in ink and then adding watercolour accents on top.
This “ink over watercolour” method allows you to leverage the precision and control of ink linework while still infusing your sketch with the luminous, expressive qualities of watercolour. Urban sketcher Graham Reynard, for example, masterfully captures scenes with “simple lines and accents of watercolour,” creating a beautiful balance between the two mediums.
When working in this style, resist the urge to meticulously colour within the lines of your ink drawing. Instead, let the watercolour bleed and mingle freely, embracing the organic, fluid nature of the paint. You can also experiment with techniques like splattering, dry-brushing, or selectively applying colour to specific areas to add depth and visual interest to your sketch.
“Just remember not to be too tight in your use of watercolour,” advises urban sketching instructor Taria. “Do not arduously try to stay within the lines of your pen sketch otherwise it will look like you have coloured a colouring book page.”
Ink and Watercolour Interplay
For those who truly enjoy the dance between ink and watercolour, a third approach involves moving fluidly between the two mediums, layering and interweaving them throughout the sketching process.
“There are no rules!” Taria enthuses. “You can keep layering one on top of another, moving back and forward between the two mediums until you are satisfied with your sketch.”
This dynamic, back-and-forth method allows you to leverage the best of both worlds, using ink to establish structure and definition, and then watercolour to inject warmth, depth, and atmosphere. You might start with a lively watercolour underpainting, then build up your ink drawing on top, subsequently adding more watercolour layers to refine and unify the composition.
Alternatively, you could begin with a loose ink sketch and then selectively apply watercolour washes to specific areas, creating focal points and guiding the viewer’s eye through the scene. Urban sketcher Simone Ridyard’s work beautifully exemplifies this approach, with her delicate ink lines accented by splashes of vibrant watercolour.
The key is to remain open and responsive to the evolving sketch, allowing the interplay between ink and watercolour to inform your creative process. Rather than rigidly sticking to a predetermined plan, embrace the spontaneity and surprise that emerges when you let the two mediums dance together on the page.
Unconventional Techniques and Mindsets
Beyond the specific methods of applying ink and watercolour, there are a number of unconventional techniques and mindsets that can infuse your urban sketching with a fresh, experimental energy.
For example, urban sketcher Teoh Yi Chie and Tia Boon Sim encourage the practice of “painting your sketchbook page randomly” to create unique, abstract watercolour backgrounds before adding linework on top. This liberating exercise can help you break free from traditional sketching approaches and find inspiration in the unexpected.
“This is a really fun exercise and can really help to loosen up your sketching,” Taria shares. “I really enjoyed trying this out in the below 3 sketches, although once I had finished the line drawing I did go in and add some further depth either with grey markers or just adding a bit more watercolour to emphasis certain areas.”
Another unconventional mindset to embrace is that of selective focus and intentional omission. Rather than feeling compelled to render every detail, consider what elements are truly essential to convey the essence of the scene. Urban sketcher Alex Hillkurtz, for instance, “keeps his linework with a fountain pen minimal and lets the watercolour do most of the work.”
By selectively applying ink or watercolour to specific areas, you can create a powerful sense of emphasis and draw the viewer’s eye to the most compelling aspects of your sketch. This approach encourages you to hone your observational skills and make thoughtful decisions about what to include or leave out.
Ultimately, the beauty of urban sketching lies in its ability to capture the energy and vibrancy of our everyday environments through a lens of personal expression. By experimenting with unconventional ink wash techniques, you can tap into a wellspring of creative freedom and discover new ways to infuse your sketches with dynamic, evocative qualities.
So, grab your watercolours, your ink pens, and a spirit of playful adventure, and get ready to push the boundaries of what urban sketching can be. The possibilities are endless, and the journey of exploration is half the fun.
Example: Pencil Portrait Challenge 2024