As an experienced art writer and creative consultant for Pencil and Paint Muse, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic techniques, from the fundamentals of pencil drawing to the expressive potential of mixed media. In our 15 years installing… One area that has consistently captivated my attention is the art of urban sketching – the dynamic process of capturing the essence of a city through the immediacy of pen and ink.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
In the age of digital photography, the humble sketchbook has become a powerful tool for artists seeking to imbue their work with a sense of personal interpretation and creative flair. While photographic reference can be a valuable starting point, the true magic often lies in the artist’s ability to interpret the urban landscape through their own unique lens. This is where the concept of “unconventional perspectives” comes into play – the idea of challenging traditional approaches to composition and perspective in order to create sketches that are not only technically proficient, but also brimming with a palpable sense of energy and dynamism.
Redefining Perspective: Embracing the Pointless
One of the most exciting developments in the world of urban sketching has been the exploration of what art instructor Liz Steel calls “pointless perspective.” In her blog post on the subject, Steel, a former architect turned renowned sketcher, explores the limitations of traditional perspective drawing and proposes an alternative approach that eschews the rigidity of vanishing points and technical guidelines.
“As an architect, I was trained to produce drawings that describe a building in such a way that it could be built from them – technical construction drawings,” Steel explains. “I also learnt as a student, how to draw 3D projections of my designs using perspective. This skill, in a measure, is no longer needed in the profession, as CAD programs do it much better and quicker. But when I started sketching, I had to refresh my knowledge of perspective so that I could sketch buildings with the precision I wanted to achieve.”
However, Steel soon realized that the technical precision of traditional perspective drawing didn’t always align with the spontaneous, expressive nature of urban sketching. “I soon realised it was harder than I thought to apply the theory to real world sketching, and I also realised that when I sketched I wanted to work with freedom and not draw with technical precision.”
Steel’s solution was to develop a “pointless perspective” approach, which involves establishing a critical vertical line (the “VIP” or “very important vertical”) and a top and bottom edge, then using a grid of evenly converging lines to construct the sketch. This method allows for a more intuitive, responsive approach to composition, where the artist can focus on capturing the essential character of a scene without getting bogged down in the technicalities of perspective.
“As long as I get a few angles, a few lengths right, then all I need to do is make sure all my lines (more or less) conform to a grid of evenly converging lines and my sketch will look ‘right’,” Steel explains. “None of my sketches are ever perfect, they often have uneven converging lines, and lines that bend, but this approach is helping me a lot to sketch spontaneously but with a degree of accuracy that the architect in me is happy with.”
Harnessing the Power of Notan Design
Another innovative approach to urban sketch composition that has gained traction in recent years is the concept of Notan design. Notan, a Japanese term meaning “light-dark balance,” is a design principle that focuses on the interplay of positive and negative space, emphasizing the underlying structure and rhythm of a composition.
As art instructor Will Kemp explains, Notan studies can be incredibly useful for urban sketchers, as they help to “sharpen your composition and design skills” by stripping away the distractions of color and detail. “Seeing the world in black and white can really help sharpen your composition and design skills,” Kemp notes.
By creating simple value studies or “Notan” drawings, artists can quickly identify the core shapes, patterns, and rhythms within a scene, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their final composition. This process can be particularly helpful for urban sketchers who struggle with fitting buildings, structures, and architectural elements into their compositions in a visually compelling way.
Kemp suggests using apps like “Notanizer” or “See Value” to quickly generate Notan studies from photographic reference, then using these as a starting point for your sketching. “If we look at the harbour scene again now using a simplified Notan, you can see the balance of darks and lights aren’t very compelling. It’s an extremely simple line at the top of the composition; there isn’t really a great deal of interest for the eye in the foreground.”
By understanding the underlying Notan structure of a scene, urban sketchers can then make more informed decisions about where to place their focal points, how to balance positive and negative space, and how to create a sense of depth and dimensionality within their compositions.
Embracing Spontaneity and Expressiveness
While the technical aspects of perspective and Notan design can provide a solid foundation for urban sketching, the true magic often lies in the artist’s ability to embrace spontaneity and expressiveness within their work. This can be a challenging balance to strike, as urban sketchers might want to navigate the tension between accurate representation and imaginative interpretation.
One approach that has gained popularity among urban sketchers is the use of mixed media techniques, blending the immediacy of pen and ink with the fluid, expressive qualities of watercolor or acrylic paint. By starting with a basic Notan-inspired value structure and then layering on vibrant hues and gestural brushstrokes, artists can create sketches that are both visually stunning and imbued with a palpable sense of energy and movement.
As Liz Steel notes, this “shape-based” approach to urban sketching can be particularly effective: “I also love just looking for the shapes and painting them first. The opening sketch to this blog post was started with a few watercolour shapes, as was this sketch I did during my 2 day workshop. Last year in Brazil, I used the same approach to sketch the dramatic rectangular form of MASP. I painted the red first!”
By embracing a more intuitive, expressive approach to their compositions, urban sketchers can tap into the inherent dynamism of the city, capturing the rhythm of the streets, the energy of the people, and the unique architectural character of their surroundings. It’s a approach that requires a willingness to let go of rigid control and embrace the unexpected, but the results can be truly captivating.
Putting it all Together: Practical Tips for Urban Sketch Composition
So, how can aspiring urban sketchers put these innovative approaches into practice? Here are some practical tips to help you enhance your compositional skills and create more dynamic, expressive sketches:
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Experiment with “Pointless Perspective”: Start by establishing a strong vertical line (your “VIP”) and a top and bottom edge, then use a grid of converging lines to construct your sketch. Don’t worry about perfect technical accuracy – focus on capturing the essential character of the scene.
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Explore Notan Design: Create simple value studies or “Notan” drawings to identify the core shapes, patterns, and rhythms within your urban landscape. Use these as a foundation for your final sketch, making informed decisions about focal points, positive/negative space, and depth.
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Embrace Mixed Media Techniques: Combine the immediacy of pen and ink with the expressive qualities of watercolor or acrylic paint. Start with a Notan-inspired value structure and then layer on vibrant hues and gestural brushstrokes to bring your sketch to life.
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Cultivate Spontaneity and Responsiveness: Be willing to let go of rigid control and embrace the unexpected. Pay attention to the energy and rhythm of the city, and let your sketch evolve organically in response to the scene.
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Constantly Observe and Experiment: Urban sketching is a dynamic, ever-evolving practice. Continually observe your surroundings, try new approaches, and be open to the insights that come from your creative explorations.
By incorporating these innovative techniques into your urban sketching practice, you can unlock new levels of creativity, expressiveness, and visual interest. Whether you’re capturing the grandeur of historic architecture or the bustling energy of a city street, these unconventional perspectives can help you bring a fresh, dynamic energy to your work.
So, grab your pen and ink, embrace your inner architect and designer, and start exploring the boundless possibilities of urban sketch composition. The city is your canvas – now it’s time to make your mark.
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique