Liz Steel

Manchester Workshop: Architecture in Edges, Shapes and Volumes - with downloadable handout

August 24, 2016 | 5 Comments

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This year for my Urban Sketchers Symposium workshop I wanted to teach something experimental as I think sketching architecture should be fun and my two previous workshops were more technical. In Paraty I taught ways of thinking about buildings and how to sketch them in a structural way and last year in Singapore I taught...

How I carry my paintbrushes

August 23, 2016 | 19 Comments

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Brushes Kit in Action Sketching Tools

I often get asked “How do you carry your paint brushes?” Even though it is mentioned in the listing of my kit here, I thought it was worthy of a separate article. Well, I only really use one brush these days which is the Rosemary & Co Series 772 1/2 inch Sable blend Dagger with...

Last week: Why am I doing this every day?

August 22, 2016 | 11 Comments

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Art Tips & Thoughts Everyday Sketching

Before I start with my big thought from last week, I just want to thank everyone who left a message on this article about finding inspiration in the daily grind. Lots of great thoughts and challenges – thank you! Following on from that theme I couldn’t help thinking about a related issue: The benefit of...

Being satisfied with simple sketches

August 18, 2016 | 18 Comments

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Art Tips & Thoughts Travel Sketching

As I look back through my Europe16 books I am really liking the simplest pieces. I am constantly amazed at how satisfied I am with them – they contain enough information to record the essence of the place and/or the moment. And the best part of all is that I actually did them! It really...

Cuppa Tea Time: Out of Practice

August 17, 2016 | 4 Comments

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Teacup Sketching

According to Instagram and my hashtag #lizsteelteacup the last fancy teacup sketch I did was on 25 May. I’m not sure if that’s true but I do know that I didn’t drink from a fancy patterned china cup the whole of my 8 week Europe trip. Needless to say, I enjoyed doing this sketch!

My Salute sketch: Thoughts on making mistakes and being in the groove

August 16, 2016 | 22 Comments

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Art Tips & Thoughts Travel Sketching

Every trip there are a handful of sketches that become the signature images from the trip. Despite the long and varied itinerary of my recent 8 week trip to Italy and the UK and the many sketches that I am happy with, there is one sketch that springs to mind – this sketch of Santa...