Developing a Loose Urban Sketching Mentality: Top Tips For Beginners

Urban sketching is a captivating art form that allows artists to capture the essence of city life through quick, loose sketches. 

Embracing a loose sketching mentality is essential for creating lively and expressive urban sketches. 

In this post, we will explore effective tips to develop a loose urban sketching style and recommend sketching courses that can help you enhance your skills. 

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, these insights will guide you towards achieving a loose and dynamic approach to urban sketching.

Observe and Simplify: 

To develop a loose urban sketching mentality, start by observing your surroundings. Take in the bustling streets, architecture, and people. Then, practice simplifying what you see into basic shapes and lines. 

Focus on capturing the essence of the scene rather than getting caught up in intricate details. This approach encourages spontaneity and adds a sense of energy to your sketches.

Simplification is covered in my free course on SketchLoose.co.uk - 'Ten Days of Sketching' - which you can find HERE.

I usually tackle simplification by thinking in shapes, and it's a vital part of my 'process'. I even created a whole SkillShare class about it, which you can find by CLICKING HERE.

Embrace Imperfections:

Embrace imperfections in your sketches. 

Remember that urban sketching is about capturing the moment and conveying a sense of atmosphere. 

Imperfections can add charm and authenticity to your artwork. 

Don't be afraid to let go of rigid expectations and instead embrace the freedom to experiment and make mistakes.

My favourite way of doing this is through continuous lines - again I have a whole SkillShare class dedicate to exactly this subject. Find it HERE.

Use Bold and Expressive Lines:

Employ bold and expressive lines in your urban sketches by varying the line weight and quality.

Vary the thickness and intensity of your lines to create visual interest and convey different elements of the scene. Experiment with different drawing tools such as pens, markers, or brushes to achieve the desired effects. 

The goal is to capture the liveliness and movement of the urban environment.

In my flagship course, 'Developing Line Work and Mark Making' we delve into this in a great deal of detail - experimenting with mark making with different implements, and adding finesse and variety with line weight and quality.

You can use the code 'LETSSKETCH' to get 10% off this course TODAY! Just head across to SketchLoose.co.uk to find out more.

Focus on Values and Contrast:

Values and contrast play a vital role in creating impactful urban sketches. 

Pay attention to the light and shadow patterns in your surroundings. 

Use contrasting values to add depth and dimension to your sketches. 

This technique helps to emphasize focal points and bring your sketches to life.

In my newest course 'Advancing Tone, Value and Colour' on SketchLoose.co.uk we will, of course, focus on values and their utility in urban sketching and other types of sketching as well.

Seek Inspiration and Learn from Experts:

To enhance your loose sketching skills, consider enrolling in sketching courses specifically tailored for urban sketching. 

You can find all my courses listed HERE - or you can head across to SketchLoose.co.uk to read in detail what to expect from my courses. 

These courses offer structured guidance and provide valuable insights from experienced artists. 

If you'd like something more specific to you and your needs, then contact me via my website or my email to see if I have any gaps in my teaching schedule.

Conclusion

Developing a loose urban sketching mentality is all about embracing spontaneity, simplifying your observations, and embracing imperfections. 

Through bold lines, focus on values, and seeking inspiration, you can cultivate a dynamic and expressive approach to urban sketching. 

To further refine your skills, consider enrolling in sketching courses that specialise in urban sketching - such as my courses on www.sketchloose.co.uk.

These courses offer invaluable guidance and provide opportunities to learn from seasoned artists. Embrace the joy of loose sketching, and let your urban sketches capture the vibrancy and character of the cityscape.