SKETCHING IS FUN.  Often quick but sometimes, depending upon the weather and if there is somewhere to lean or sit, longer.  

Its best point is it makes you look and see more than if just passing.  My quick sketches catch a freer atmosphere but longer studies as with the Great Court, British Museum (below) require careful observation.  These can become tight so one is fighting against that too.

Next best is it is a record of lots of places gone to, things done and has a character or grain better than any digital photo.  And you can edit as you draw, then again when you add paint.  If you don’t like something in the view – leave it out.  If Turner did so can I.  It is said that in watercolour you cannot correct mistakes – you can!  Not always but mostly.

I flick through my sketch books and find lots of happy ‘happenchances’; not what I intended but got lucky.  

Sketching can be social too.  I work with several groups to sketch and have a beer after.  You meet others, see different styles and invariably learn something.  


Three in particular are Sketchmob, Urban Sketchers and The Artful Dodgers who one way or another meet to paint every Saturday.

sketchbooks selection

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