Seven different media in one sketch

April 28, 2025 | 6 Comments

 

A few weeks ago I was on a call with Suhita and I started doing a reflex sketch of the random scattering of items on my desk. I was switching media as I worked and ended up using 7 different types.

  1. Albrecht Durer watercolour pencils
  2. Neocolor II water-soluble wax crayons
  3. Fude pen with De Atramentis ink
  4. Marker: GoldFaber Aqua Dual Marker
  5. Watercolor
  6. Posca acrylic marker
  7. Water-soluble graphite

This was a really fun way of working and I want to do more of this in the coming months – even though this might conflict a little with the theme I’ve set for May inside my Sketching Adventure Community on Patreon. I revealed the theme during last Friday’s livestream (the replay is available inside the community) and I’ll share it publicly when we get to May!

I would also like to use this approach more on location, but that would mean carrying a lot of stuff!


Here is the full spread.

6 Comments

  • Lois Courtright says:

    Super fun!

    My eyes are drawn to the water glass and three glass jars.

    Thank you so much for the example and inspiration!

  • Patricia A Wafer says:

    I really like the looseness of this one and I especially like that you used a lot of black. I wouldn’t necessarily have recognized that as one of your sketches immediately. Probably because you were talking and not concentrating 100% on the sketching. A good example of being able to fit in sketching when you’re doing other things sometimes. We don’t have to concentrate so hard but can still end up with a really interesting sketch. And I like the idea of just having some tools on the table and grabbing them. It really worked in this one!

    • Liz Steel says:

      Hi Pat – yes, not concentrating so hard often leads to ‘good’ work – we tend to over think and overwork our sketches!

  • Jamie C says:

    A sketch with 7 different media! Wonderful example/memory to have in your sketchbook of this various materials you’ve been so experimental with in this era of your sketching!

Leave a Reply