Liz Steel

How upgrading my sketchbook has changed my everyday sketching

July 31, 2020 | 12 Comments

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Everyday Sketching

We all want to improve our sketching and/or do more of it, don’t we? I think that my choice of sketchbook has a significant impact on the quality and the frequency of my sketching. In fact it might be the most important decision I make about the materials I’m using. During lockdown I really enjoyed...

Europe 2020V: Video flip-through plus my five favourite sketches and pages

July 29, 2020 | 2 Comments

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Travel Sketching

Here is the final article about my recent virtual trip to Europe including a video flipping through all four sketchbooks, plus my five favourite sketches and double-page spreads. Video Flip-through I used four A4 landscape Hahnemuehle Watercolour Books. Towards the end of the fourth book I added some pages from a Moleskine Watercolour Sketchbook. Click...

Using grey markers for value studies

July 27, 2020 | 19 Comments

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Everyday Sketching Pens and Markers

This week we’re looking at Colour and Value as part of the Group Run-through of SketchingNow Watercolour On Location. It’s a really special lesson! I absolutely love doing value studies and talking about how to design in values. But I just realised that I’ve never discussed why I like using grey markers for my value...

How everyday sketching differs from dedicated sketching outings and why it’s often harder!

July 24, 2020 | 51 Comments

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Everyday Sketching Sketching Sydney You may also like

As previously mentioned on this blog, I’ve recently decided to ‘up my game’ when it comes to everyday sketching. I have no problem sketching non-stop when I’m travelling, or when I go out for a dedicated sketching outing, but I’ve often struggled to find adequate time to focus on sketching during my day to day...

Stools and seats for urban sketching

July 22, 2020 | 20 Comments

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Kit in Action Sketching Tools

I recently realised that I haven’t formally shared here on my blog the two seats I use when I’m urban sketching. So here at the two that I currently use. My urban sketching stool The best stool I’ve used to date is the Walkstool Comfort 45cm/18in which is compact and relatively lightweight (640g). It has...

Teacups 33-35: Taking risks

July 20, 2020 | 5 Comments

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Teacup Sketching

Time to catch up on a few teacup sketches which I have done in recent weeks. They are good examples of three important aspects of my sketching: reflex sketching sketching in the in-between moments taking risks when working wet-in-wet. Teacup 35: T2 Fruity cup and saucer This is a completely reflex sketch while chatting...