Urban Sketching at the Market: 3 Essentials for a Perfect Result

Discover the art of watercolor urban sketching and capture the vibrant energy of city life! This course draws on 4 years of experience with the Mumbai Urban Sketchers chapter and global sketching adventures to guide you through the process. Learn to confidently sketch dynamic scenes, particularly in bustling markets, a favourite subject for artists worldwide.

This class is divided into two parts, building your skills step-by-step.

Part 1: Mastering the Fundamentals of Market Sketching

• Color: Understand and apply effective color palettes for lively sketches.
• Light: Learn to observe and render the nuances of light and shadow.
• People: Develop techniques for quickly and accurately sketching human figures in action.

Through isolated "thumbnail" sketches and analysis of my own sketchbook examples, you'll build confidence and document your artistic growth.

Part 2: Combining Techniques – Sketching Crawford Market in Line & Wash

• Scene Construction: Learn to simplify complex, crowded scenes into manageable elements.
• Light & Color Application: Capture the warmth and vibrancy of light on paper.
• Depth & Contrast: Build dimension with background shapes and tonal variations.
• Detail & Refinement: Define main subjects and add fine details for a finished sketch.

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Simplify complex scenes into easily sketchable elements.
• Sketch and paint scenes illuminated by warm, artificial light.
• Sketch human figures in action poses with speed and accuracy.
• Maintain a colorful and vibrant aesthetic throughout your sketches.
• Effectively utilize a limited watercolor palette for urban sketching.

Who is this course for?

This class is suitable for all skill levels, particularly those with basic sketching knowledge who want to expand their skills and subject matter. You'll not only learn to sketch lively markets in a loose, painterly style but also enhance your powers of observation. If you aspire to be a globe-trotting sketcher and capture the colorful essence of exotic locations in your sketchbook, this course is for you!

Materials:

While I use specific materials, you can adapt this class to what you already have. Here's a list of my preferred supplies:

• Cold-Press watercolor paper (190gsm, 100% cotton, 11” x 10”)
• Assortment of artist-grade watercolors (aureolin, pyrrole red, burnt sienna, indian gold, cobalt azure blue, ultramarine blue, green, quin rose, neutral tint)
• Round brushes (sizes 4, 8, 12)
• Flat brush (size 5)
• 1.0 gel pens (black and white)
• 0.2 fineliner
• Sharpie
• Fude-nib fountain pen (waterproof black ink)
• 3B pencil
• CG1 alcohol marker
• Glass marking pencil
• Jar of water
• Kitchen roll
• Small spray bottle
• Tilt drawing board support