Coloured pencils have long been relegated to the realm of children’s art, overlooked by many professional artists in favour of more traditional painting mediums. We learned this the hard way… However, in the world of urban sketching, this humble drawing tool is undergoing a renaissance, allowing artists to capture the energy and spontaneity of city life in innovative ways.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the unconventional potential of coloured pencils, revealing how they can be used to create vibrant, expressive sketches that breathe new life into the urban landscape. From layering and blending techniques to experimental mark-making, we’ll dive into the multifaceted capabilities of this versatile medium, empowering you to expand your creative horizons and develop a distinctive visual style.
Embracing the Unexpected: Coloured Pencils as a Sketching Tool
Coloured pencils may not be the first medium that comes to mind when thinking about urban sketching, but their inherent qualities make them a surprisingly versatile choice. Unlike watercolours or acrylics, which can be unpredictable and require a certain level of technical mastery, coloured pencils offer a more immediate and intuitive way to capture the essence of a scene.
“Coloured pencils allow for a level of spontaneity and experimentation that can be difficult to achieve with other media,” explains artist Liz Steel, a renowned urban sketcher known for her innovative use of the medium. “The ability to build up layers, blend colours, and create expressive marks enables you to respond quickly to the ever-changing environments you encounter when sketching on location.”
This agility is particularly valuable in the bustling context of urban sketching, where subjects are often in constant motion and lighting conditions can shift rapidly. By embracing the unique properties of coloured pencils, artists can learn to work with, rather than against, the challenges of plein air sketching, resulting in vibrant, dynamic compositions that reflect the energy of the city.
Developing a Unique Visual Vocabulary
One of the key advantages of working with coloured pencils in urban sketching is the opportunity to cultivate a truly distinctive visual style. Unlike watercolour, where the medium can often dictate the final aesthetic, coloured pencils allow for a wide range of expressive mark-making and layering techniques that can be tailored to the individual artist’s preferences and creative vision.
“When I’m sketching with coloured pencils, I’m not trying to achieve a perfectly blended, photo-realistic effect,” says artist Taria Pell. “Instead, I’m focused on capturing the essence of a scene through loose, gestural lines, bold colour choices, and a sense of spontaneity. It’s about embracing the inherent imperfections of the medium and using them to your advantage.”
By experimenting with techniques like scribbling, cross-hatching, and sgraffito (scratching into the surface to reveal underlying layers), artists can develop a unique visual vocabulary that reflects their personal interpretation of the urban environment. This freedom to explore and push the boundaries of the medium can lead to the creation of sketches that are not only technically proficient, but also brimming with personality and emotional resonance.
Leveraging Colour to Convey Mood and Atmosphere
One of the most compelling aspects of working with coloured pencils in urban sketching is the medium’s ability to capture the ever-changing moods and atmospheres of the city. Unlike the flat, opaque nature of typical drawing media, coloured pencils allow for a remarkable degree of nuance and subtlety in the application of colour.
“Coloured pencils give me the freedom to layer and blend colours in a way that allows me to evoke the specific feeling of a particular time of day or weather condition,” explains artist Graham Reynard. “Whether it’s the warm, golden light of a sunset or the cool, muted tones of an overcast day, I can use the medium to translate those atmospheric qualities onto the page in a way that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant.”
By experimenting with techniques like layering, burnishing, and sgraffito, artists can create depth, texture, and a sense of luminosity that can elevate a simple urban sketch into a powerful visual statement. The ability to seamlessly transition between bold, saturated hues and delicate, muted tones empowers artists to capture the dynamic, ever-changing nature of the city, infusing their work with a palpable sense of place.
Blending Realism and Abstraction
One of the hallmarks of the urban sketching movement is the way it encourages artists to find a balance between realistic representation and expressive, abstract interpretation. Coloured pencils, with their versatile application and diverse mark-making capabilities, are ideally suited to this approach, allowing artists to effortlessly toggle between these two modes of visual expression.
“When I’m sketching with coloured pencils, I’m not aiming for a photographic rendering of the scene,” says artist Róisín Curé. “Instead, I’m focused on capturing the essential elements – the shapes, the lines, the colours – and then using those as a springboard for a more intuitive, expressive interpretation. It’s about finding that sweet spot between realism and abstraction, where the sketch becomes a unique, personal response to the urban environment.”
By embracing a loose, gestural approach to mark-making, artists can convey the energy and dynamism of the city without getting bogged down in unnecessary details. Conversely, the ability to render precise forms and subtle textures with coloured pencils allows for the creation of sketches that balance realistic elements with more expressive, abstract flourishes.
This blending of realism and abstraction not only results in visually compelling urban sketches, but it also encourages artists to develop a greater understanding of the essence of a scene, rather than simply transcribing what they see. It’s a approach that fosters a deep, intuitive connection with the urban landscape, ultimately leading to the creation of sketches that are both technically proficient and emotionally resonant.
Practical Techniques for Expressive Coloured Pencil Sketching
Now that we’ve explored the conceptual and creative potential of coloured pencils in urban sketching, let’s dive into some practical techniques that can help you unlock the medium’s expressive power.
Layering and Blending
One of the primary advantages of coloured pencils is the ability to build up layers of colour, allowing for a level of depth and complexity that can be difficult to achieve with other drawing media. By strategically layering and blending colours, artists can create a sense of atmosphere, mood, and visual interest that can elevate a simple urban sketch.
Begin by establishing a basic underpainting with a few key colours, then gradually add layers of complementary and analogous hues to create depth and vibrancy. Experiment with techniques like burnishing (using the side of the pencil to smooth and blend colours) and scumbling (applying a thin, semi-transparent layer of colour over an existing layer) to seamlessly integrate the various elements of your composition.
Expressive Mark-Making
Coloured pencils offer a wide range of mark-making possibilities, from precise, controlled lines to bold, gestural strokes. Embrace the inherent expressiveness of the medium by experimenting with techniques like cross-hatching, stippling, and sgraffito (scratching into the surface to reveal underlying layers) to infuse your urban sketches with a dynamic, energetic quality.
Pay attention to the direction, pressure, and speed of your marks, allowing them to respond organically to the contours and textures of your subject matter. Avoid the temptation to over-render, and instead focus on capturing the essence of the scene through loose, intuitive strokes that convey a sense of movement and spontaneity.
Incorporating Unconventional Surfaces
One of the joys of working with coloured pencils in urban sketching is the ability to experiment with a wide range of unconventional surfaces, from recycled packaging to found objects. These unexpected canvases not only add an element of visual interest to your sketches, but they can also inspire new ways of approaching the medium.
Artist Peter Rush, who is known for his coloured pencil drawings on the backs of packaging materials, explains, “Working on these non-traditional surfaces forces me to be more intentional with my mark-making and colour choices. It’s a liberating experience that often leads to the creation of unexpected, visually compelling urban sketches.”
Embrace the tactile qualities of these unconventional surfaces, and let them inform the way you approach your compositions. Experiment with techniques like layering, masking, and collage to create sketches that blend the organic textures of your chosen surface with the expressive qualities of coloured pencils.
Cultivating a Daily Sketching Practice
Ultimately, the key to unlocking the full potential of coloured pencils in urban sketching lies in the development of a consistent, daily practice. As with any artistic medium, mastering the nuances of coloured pencils requires dedication, experimentation, and a willingness to embrace the unexpected.
“The more you sketch with coloured pencils, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become with the medium,” says artist Andrew James. “It’s about finding your own unique approach, whether that’s through experimenting with new techniques, pushing the boundaries of your colour palette, or simply embracing the imperfections that emerge during the sketching process.”
Incorporate regular sketching sessions into your daily routine, whether it’s a quick five-minute study during your morning coffee break or a more extended plein air session on the weekends. Encourage yourself to step outside your comfort zone, try new approaches, and document your progress in a dedicated sketchbook. Over time, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the medium’s capabilities, and your urban sketches will blossom with a distinctive, expressive quality that sets them apart.
Remember, the joy of urban sketching with coloured pencils lies not in the pursuit of perfection, but in the exploration of the unexpected. Embrace the spontaneity, flexibility, and creative freedom that this medium offers, and let your sketches become a reflection of your unique artistic vision and the dynamic energy of the city that inspires you.
Example: Modern Abstract Painting Series 2024