Capture the energy and architecture of the places you love using expressive line and wash.
Capture the energy and architecture of the places you love using expressive line and wash. Learn to sketch in a loose, rhythmic style and use vibrant watercolours to create unique urban masterpieces.
Whether you are a complete beginner looking to take the plunge into drawing outdoors, or a more experienced urban sketcher looking to loosen up your style and use watercolour paints in a whole new way, renowned urban landscape artist Neil Whitehead will help you to bring your favourite places to life on paper.
Packed with inspirational paintings, plein air demonstrations, practical exercises to help you loosen up and let go, plus lots of handy tips, Line & Wash in the Urban Landscape is a comprehensive, visually inspiring guide to this popular artform.
The book outlines:
- What you need to get started: all the necessary tools and equipment
- Choosing a scene and working outdoors: how to choose a location and then select an area of interest
- Capturing character: sketching fast, simplifying and working with freedom
- Continuous line drawing and prioritising rhythm over perfection
- Using watercolour for drama, depth and energy
- Understanding composition and perspective
- Working from reference pictures: for when you can’t get outside.
Urban sketching communities and groups are on the rise worldwide, so there's never been a better time to get outdoors and sketch!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Sketching tools and materials
Sketching with rhythm
Exercise: Pure contour
The watercolour wash
Exercise: Working with watercolour
Working outdoors or in?
Out & about 1: Getting started and loosening up
Simplifying the detail
Exercise: Continuous line sketch
Out & about 2: In the heart of the city
Measurement and scale
Exercise: Measuring the scene
Out & about 3: Measurement in practice
Composition
Exercise: Composing your scene
Out & about 4: Extending the technique
Negative space
Out & about 5: Sketching an iconic landmark
Making the sky come alive
Out & about 6: Sketching a complex scene
Going further
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About Neil Whitehead
Neil Whitehead is an award-winning urban landscape artist, from Taunton, Somerset, UK. He is inspired by the architecture in the towns and cities around us, and his fast and fluid style using ink and watercolour is well-known for its speed, rhythm, expressive lines and bold colour.
Neil’s line and wash artworks and larger acrylic pieces are on walls and exhibitions globally, and he regularly contributes to the Urban Sketchers initiative of ‘on location’ sketching. Neil was appointed as a Featured Artist by Derwent in 2022, and is now a Brand Ambassador.
See more from Neil on Instagram @ennkaydraw
