May 11, 2026 |
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I created this blog back in 2008 when I was at the start of my sketching journey. I have consistently published articles since then, making this blog an incredible record of my development as an artist.

A huge part of my practice is sketching on location (urban sketching) as it’s my favourite way to create art. (If you haven’t already, please check out my How to start urban sketching for more about why sketching on location is so special!)

My blog, lizsteel.com, is full of my tips and tricks for improving urban sketching, but these valuable suggestions are often woven into my own sketching adventures.

And so I have created this page to collect the best of the best!

It’s been so much fun to put together, and I hope you find it helpful!

 

 
This page is an index of articles to help improve your urban sketching (sketching on location) and offer lots of recommendations for materials and tools to try.

1. Upgrade your sketching kit

2. Improve your drawing

3. Improve your watercolour

4. More sketching on location tips

5. Details of my online courses
 
It is a work in progress and will be expanded over time. Please let me know via the contact form if there is a specific topic that you would like me to include!
 


 

1. Upgrade your sketching kit

 
If you have been using simple or student-grade sketching tools and want to upgrade to a fountain pen, artist-grade watercolour paints and a watercolour sketchbook, these articles offer recommendations:

Pens

Watercolour

Sketchbooks

Brushes

Sketching Kit in Action

Explore other media

If you are interested in learning about how to use mixed media in your urban sketching, please check out my Sketching Adventure Community on Patreon. I’m constantly experimenting with new materials and sharing lots of examples and mini demos during weekly update videos and monthly community livestreams.
 

 

 

2. Improve your drawing

 
This is a big topic, and one so important that I created my Foundations course specifically for it. The core concept is to build observational skills and learn to see the world in terms of edges, shapes, and volumes.

Here are a few articles that share some of the main concepts and techniques from Foundations:

See “More urban sketching tips” below for more topics, such as perspective!
 

 

 

3. Improve your watercolour

 
I have a dedicated in-depth Watercolour course specifically designed to help you improve your watercolour sketching. But here are some articles to get you started:

 


 
Some favourite colours and mixes of mine:

 

 

 

4. More urban sketching tips 

 
Here are some links with advice on common challenges when sketching on location.

Instructional articles on various topics

 

Want to work faster or looser?

 

Don’t forget that an important part of improving your urban sketching is simply to just do it more!

There is nothing like an exciting day sketching on location to get your creative juices flowing and increase your confidence. I’ve had so many amazing adventures while sketching on location!
 

So here are some links to articles about my sketching adventures to inspire you!

 

 

 
5. Improve your urban sketching with my SketchingNow online courses

 

I offer a comprehensive programme of online courses for you to develop your own style and sketch with confidence on location over at SketchingNow.com

My SketchingNow courses have been designed to build on each other, so you’ll see the most progress in your own sketching by working through them in a logical order.

There are two 3-course bundles designed to help you work in order and save money at the same time!
 

Sketch your Life Bundle

for beginners and self-taught sketchers who are frustrated with their lack of progress

This bundle contains all the fundamental concepts that you need for sketching in ink and wash and keeping a sketchbook. The three courses cover a range of subjects and techniques for sketching at home and out on location.

  • Foundations: Build a solid foundation for your own sketching journey by learning fundamental observational skills and the basics of urban sketching.
  • Watercolour: Create vibrant and lively watercolour sketches by learning how to control your water, create watercolour magic and know when to layer or work wet-in-wet.
  • Sketchbook Design: Design beautiful layouts for every page by learning how to add elements, preserve white space and think about placement before you start sketching.

 

Urban Sketching Bundle

for sketchers with some experience who want to improve their sketching on location

This bundle builds on the fundamental skills of Foundations and Watercolour (including sketching with edges, shapes and volumes) and applies them to more complex scenes.

There are some indoor exercises, but the main focus is sketching on location including individual buildings, street scenes, cityscapes and landscapes.

  • Edges: Create more depth and focus in your urban sketches by learning how to limit the amount of ink drawing you do and getting more out of your watercolour.
  • Buildings: Learn a system for sketching buildings on location (no matter how complex) by seeing them as volumes and then working in a structured way.
  • Watercolour On Location: Improve your urban sketches of complex scenes by learning how to tell better stories, create stronger values and develop your own style of painting.

 

FInd out more about SketchingNow courses

 

All courses are available as self-paced courses so that you can start today and work through the lessons whenever it suits you. I also host regular cohort-based Live Versions of these courses too.

All SketchingNow courses include lifetime access to all lessons and future Live Versions and Group Self-Paced Versions inside the custom-designed SketchingNow classroom.

 

Any questions?

 
Please get in touch via the contact form here and ask away!