Become a better artist with a portable, versatile companion: your sketchbook! Artist Paul Heaston shares an inspiring range of ways to use pencil, ink and watercolor in your own on-the-go “studio.” Explore the world of sketching for beginners as you learn to accurately depict subject matter in dimensional space. Discover an array of texture-building ink techniques and find out how to use this bold, impactful medium to express light and shadow. Infuse your work with color and character with Paul’s pro tips for painting smooth watercolor washes, then combine what you’ve learned with valuable lessons on creating eye-catching compositions. Whether you want to depict people, architecture or nature, you’ll gain the confidence and creative skills to fill up your sketchbook with artful, evocative work.
Class Sessions
Choosing & Using Sketchbooks
26:14
Meet your instructor, sketch artist Paul Heaston, as you discover the joy that sketching can offer and how it can improve your skills by leaps and bounds. You'll begin with an overview of Paul's favorite sketchbook and media choices before loosening up your drawing hand with some contour drawings.
Sketching With Pencil
30:02
Indulge in one of sketching's most joyfully simple forms: carrying a pencil and sketchbook into the field to explore your surroundings. Paul explains graphite grading scales and shows you how to use this forgiving medium to refine your skills in perspective, distance and more. You'll learn how to create emphasis and dimension using a variety of line weights and textural details, gaining confidence as you practice.
Pen & Ink. Light & Shadow
22:01
Gain the courage to leave your eraser behind and dive into ink sketches. Paul shares professional tips for developing realistic light, shadow, contour and value using a variety of pen types and sizes. Beginning and expert artists alike will learn valuable hatching techniques as Paul demonstrates remarkable quick and effective shading methods.
Color Your World With Watercolors
26:16
Add color and character to your sketchbook with a bright and versatile watercolor palette. Paul demonstrates ways to apply washes and control your paints using helpful tips that will ensure a fun sketching session. Whether you're using color to fill large spaces or simply accentuating details, Paul's techniques will help you apply watercolor masterfully.
Sketching on Location
15:50
Pack your bag for the great outdoors as you employ Paul's tips for sketching comfortably and quickly. You'll learn what tools you'll need and anticipate the creature comforts that will come in handy for sketching sessions before assessing your locations for light and shade. Next, discover pro tips for accurately capturing both the permanent and fleeting objects in your scene, including parked cars and people who are strolling by.
Composing in the Field
10:38
Explore ways to use a viewfinder and your imagination to create a unique and compelling composition for each sketch. Paul shares important considerations for your location and field of view, as well as valuable composition tips that can transform a seemingly simple sketch into a dynamic work of art. Work with horizontal, vertical, cropped and panoramic scenes as you create thumbnails to take each composition for a test drive.
Location Sketching Process
32:46
Examine the construction of a sketch from start to finish as you block in the simple shapes and values in your scene. Next, work from the foreground to the background as you develop basic forms, training your eye to see what's really there as you work. You'll learn how to infuse character into your sketch with meaningful details, resulting in sketches that range from the whimsical minutiae of your everyday life to evocative snapshots of your favorite memories.
Your Instructor
Paul Heaston
Paul Heaston received his MFA in painting from Montana State University. He's also a correspondent for Urbansketchers.org, an internationally recognized website that showcases visual journalism. You can find some of Paul's work on his sketch blog, Three Letter Word for Art. Paul has been teaching college-level drawing and painting since 2005.
Bonus Material
Sketchbooks: Drawing the Everyday – Resources
Bonus Materials available for download after purchase.
FAQs
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