My Sketching Process

From rough pencil sketch to adding colour.

Rough pencil sketch

The thing is it’s all done quite quickly - it has to be really or I get bored and I don’t have the time. So first I do a quick pencil sketch using a 2mm lead in a mechanical pencil so it doesn’t show too much (the image below has been made darker so that it is clearer) - the 2mm thick lead means it is quite a soft image.

As much as anything it’s just to establish that the horizon line and vanishing point(s) are pretty much right - because if these have the right look and feel the sketch can’t go far wrong.

Inking the sketch

I then ink over the sketch with a fountain pen. I use a fountain pen as it always produces a true line as long as you don’t let it run out. I also don’t really like using things that are disposable.

I add the detail at this stage but it is all done quite quickly - depending on the level of complexity I don’t like to take more than about 15 - 30 minutes to do this - it’s only a sketch remember.

And the inking should only be a case of putting in the details that you see, unhindered by constraints of having to make it ‘look right’ - you will have already done this in the pencil sketch.

I then rub out the pencil - it’s pretty easy to do as I used the 2mm thick lead.

Adding red wine

I add red wine for the sky, some of the ground and for the water (if there is any). It looks dark red when I first add it but it dries quite a grey colour which can be quite atmospheric. Some wines end up darker than others and there has been a bit of trial and error - I tried neat blackcurrant cordial but it ended up drying a bit too red rather than greyish.

Colouring with coffee and red wine

I only use minimal materials for colour - everyday things rather than a lot of art supplies. I really only use coffee and red wine; by chance it gives the sketches something of a sepia effect. I don’t use any water, just combinations and variations of red wine dipped in coffee granules - the more the use of coffee, the darker and more intense the colour.

I have a small, two section palette that is easily transportable - it has lids for the two sections. One hold the red wine and the other holds granules of instant coffee. The darker areas are done with red wine dipped into the coffee and the lighter areas are done with red wine and any coffee that the brushed has picked up.

The whole thing takes about 45 mins to 1 hour to complete.

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What’s coming?

This Substack is intended to expand upon the ideas of urban and landscape sketching with minimal materials, to provide examples and inspiration.

It’s all about getting your thoughts and feelings out onto paper without too many rules to follow - this is sketching - not drawing.

Thanks for reading this and coming on the journey with me. Enjoy the journey and the destination can just look after itself.
All the best,
Peter