In addition to reviewing my sketchbooks for the past 12 months, I’ve also done a review of all the blogposts I’ve published in 2023.

So here is a collection of the top articles – the most visited/commented on.

It’s interesting to see how they relate to my sketching review.:-)

Watercolour

I know that you all love reading articles about paint colours and favourite mixes…

• Why I don’t use much Buff Titanium – and my favourite ‘building’ mixes
• Quinacridone Gold Comparisons
• New Roman Szmal Aquarius Colours 2023

I often get asked why I don’t use 100% cotton paper. This article explains my preference for Alpha sketchbooks:

• Why I love using Alpha paper

Teacups

Putting together my Teacups course and going through it with a cohort in June was definitely the highlight of the year.

It was fun to share a few non-sketching tea-related articles as part of my preparation for the launch of the course. Writing about my Great Aunty Ruby was very special and my teacup collection grew quite a bit this year!

• Why teacups are special: Personal memories
• Why teacups are special: The tea tastes better
• Two new vintage teacups

Urban Sketching

I’ve done a lot of local sketching on location this year (thanks to my morning sketch sessions and my Wednesday City outings). Here are a few articles with tips for urban sketching:

• Abstracting shapes and urban sketching
• Curved perspective
• A new method for working loosely and some more city sketching

Mixed Media

Thanks to Faber Castell I’ve tried a lot of new supplies in 2023. Hmm, this list reminds me that I want to revisit the Pitt Matt Graphite in the new year!

• A mystery box of art materials…
• Faber Castell Graphite Pencils

Honourable mentions

• It’s fun to see what I was carrying around with me at the start of 2023: Way too much stuff!
• And how I ended the year: Using a water brush
• I also did a major upgrade to my Sketching Tools Section
• Finally… Something that is on my to-do list: How should I finish this page? and How should I finish this page: Some options – I haven’t finished that page yet!

I’m still finalising my 2024 sketching goals and I’ll share them next week (hmm… next year!)

Thanks to everyone who left a comment sharing their 2023 sketching reflections here – I love reading them all!