Expanding Your Artistic Toolkit: Coloured Pencil as an Unconventional Urban Sketching Medium
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Urban sketching is an immensely rewarding creative practice, allowing artists to capture the energy and spirit of their surroundings through on-location drawing. We learned this the hard way… While watercolour and ink are classic mediums for urban sketching, coloured pencils can offer a unique approach that unlocks new possibilities for expressive, spontaneous artworks.
Embracing coloured pencils as an unconventional urban sketching tool encourages a freer, more intuitive drawing process. Unlike the precision often associated with coloured pencil work, urban sketching with this medium can cultivate a bold, gestural style that brings scenes to life in an immediate, captivating way. By leveraging the versatility of coloured pencils, artists can develop a personal, distinctive visual language for documenting the built environment.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore innovative coloured pencil techniques and creative approaches that can transform your urban sketching practice. Whether you’re a seasoned urban sketcher or new to the medium, these methods will empower you to push the boundaries of what’s possible with coloured pencils on location.
Mastering Coloured Pencil Versatility
Coloured pencils offer a unique set of strengths that can elevate the urban sketching experience. Unlike watercolour or ink, which can feel more fluid and unpredictable, coloured pencils provide a greater sense of control and precision. This makes them an ideal choice for capturing intricate architectural details, delicate textures, and subtle colour gradations.
At the same time, coloured pencils can be employed in a loose, expressive manner, breaking free from the constraints of realism. By embracing the medium’s potential for bold, gestural marks, you can imbue your urban sketches with a dynamic energy and personal flair.
One of the key advantages of working with coloured pencils is the ability to layer and build up colours. This allows you to create rich, nuanced hues and achieve a sense of depth and dimensionality in your drawings. Experiment with techniques like layering, burnishing, and blending to discover how coloured pencils can transform your urban sketching practice.
Additionally, the portability and versatility of coloured pencils make them an excellent choice for on-location work. Their small size and self-contained nature allow you to easily carry a full set with you, ready to capture the ever-changing urban landscape at a moment’s notice.
Embracing Spontaneity and Expressiveness
As you venture into urban sketching with coloured pencils, consider embracing a more spontaneous, intuitive approach. Rather than meticulously planning out your compositions, allow the energy of the scene to guide your mark-making.
Start by quickly mapping out the basic shapes and structures with loose, gestural lines, allowing your pencil to freely explore the contours of the environment. This initial layer can serve as a foundation for layering colours and adding details, but resist the urge to overly refine or tighten your drawing.
Embracing an expressive, improvisational style can imbue your urban sketches with a dynamic sense of movement and energy. Experiment with techniques like scribbling, hatching, and cross-hatching to create a sense of depth and texture, and don’t be afraid to let the coloured pencil marks take on a life of their own.
One effective approach is to focus on capturing the essence of a scene rather than striving for photographic realism. Observe the overall shapes, light, and mood, and translate these elements through bold, expressive strokes and a vibrant colour palette. The result will be a unique, personal interpretation that reflects your artistic vision.
Incorporating Design Principles for Compelling Compositions
While spontaneity and expressiveness are key to coloured pencil urban sketching, it’s also important to consider the underlying principles of good design. Applying these principles can help you create visually striking, cohesive compositions that captivate the viewer.
One fundamental design principle to explore is negative space. In urban sketching, the areas surrounding your subject can be just as important as the focal point. Strategically incorporating negative space can help direct the viewer’s eye, create a sense of balance, and imbue your drawings with a sense of breathing room.
Another powerful compositional tool is the use of diagonal lines and dynamic angles. These elements can introduce a sense of movement and energy to your sketches, mirroring the bustling nature of the urban environment. Experiment with slanted rooflines, angled building facades, and diagonal paths to add visual interest and depth to your compositions.
Coloured pencils also lend themselves well to the exploration of texture and surface. Incorporate a variety of mark-making techniques, from smooth, blended areas to gritty, textured passages, to create a sense of tactility and depth. This can be especially effective when depicting the diverse materials and surfaces found in the built environment.
Harnessing the Power of Colour
One of the most captivating aspects of working with coloured pencils in urban sketching is the ability to harness the power of colour. Rather than relying on a limited palette, embrace the vibrant, expressive potential of a full range of hues.
Experiment with complementary colours, using them to create striking contrasts that draw the viewer’s eye. Observe how the interplay of warm and cool tones can convey a sense of atmosphere and light, or how bold, saturated colours can infuse your sketches with a dynamic, energetic feel.
Coloured pencils also allow for a high degree of colour layering and blending, enabling you to create nuanced, complex hues. Discover how subtly shifting tones can suggest textures, shadows, and depth, or how a carefully considered colour palette can unify and harmonize your compositions.
Additionally, consider incorporating selective pops of colour to draw attention to specific elements or focal points within your sketches. This technique can be especially effective when used sparingly, creating visual punctuation and guiding the viewer’s eye through the composition.
Developing a Cohesive Sketchbook Practice
As you explore the expressive potential of coloured pencils in urban sketching, it’s important to also consider the overall flow and cohesion of your sketchbook. Approaching your sketchbook as a visual journal can help you develop a consistent, recognizable style while allowing room for experimentation and growth.
Establish a consistent approach to composition, whether that means favouring certain perspectives, framing techniques, or page layouts. This can contribute to a sense of visual unity across your sketchbook pages, while still allowing for creative variation.
Additionally, consider incorporating supporting elements beyond just your coloured pencil drawings, such as collaged materials, hand-lettered text, or even small sketches or studies. These additional components can help contextualize your urban sketches, providing a more holistic, immersive experience for the viewer.
Finally, embrace the imperfections and spontaneity inherent in the urban sketching process. Celebrate the unique quirks and idiosyncrasies that arise, as they can lend your sketchbook a genuine, personal touch. The journey of refining your coloured pencil techniques and finding your artistic voice is just as important as the final drawings themselves.
Conclusion: Unlocking New Artistic Horizons
By embracing coloured pencils as an unconventional medium for urban sketching, you open the door to a world of creative possibilities. Leveraging the versatility of this medium, you can cultivate a bold, expressive drawing style that captures the energy and essence of the built environment.
Experiment with layering, blending, and gestural mark-making to develop a signature approach, and explore design principles to craft compelling, visually striking compositions. Harness the power of colour to infuse your sketches with vibrancy and atmosphere, and consider how incorporating supporting elements can contribute to a cohesive, immersive sketchbook practice.
Ultimately, the joy of urban sketching with coloured pencils lies in the freedom to explore, to play, and to discover new avenues of artistic expression. Embrace the spontaneity, the imperfections, and the personal touch that this medium can bring to your urban sketching practice, and unlock a world of creative inspiration.
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique