The essential sketchbook

Looking for the light

SOMETIMES THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEXT PAINTING can be right in front of you – literally. Trying to find the correct subject with great lighting and composition is quite an art: a lot of images won’t

Six lessons in the landscape

I love to take a sketchbook with me when I’m out in the countryside. I can make detailed drawings, quick watercolour sketches, or add just a few brief marks with a pencil or pen to remind me of the sc

Add colour with traditional feel

Follow along as Eliza Ivanova explains her process for colouring artwork digitally without losing that innate sketchbook charm

Create characters from an abstract

Charcoal

Easy days

I often see raised eyebrows when I mention that I love using soft pastels in my sketchbook. Watercolours are a popular choice, being portable and easy to use, but pastels and pastel pencils feel more

Go to extremes

Extremes in dark and light are effective tools in creating punchy focal points. I have painted lots of sunny, acrylic street scenes – mainly backlit – and really enjoyed dabbing in the sparkly highlig

Looking for the light

Six lessons in the landscape

Add colour with traditional feel

Follow along as Eliza Ivanova explains her process for colouring artwork digitally without losing that innate sketchbook charm

Create characters from an abstract

Charcoal

Easy days

I often see raised eyebrows when I mention that I love using soft pastels in my sketchbook. Watercolours are a popular choice, being portable and easy to use, but pastels and pastel pencils feel more