Urban Sketching with Water Soluble Ink - Step by Step Tutorial for Beginners

Today with are urban sketching with water soluble ink - the kind of ink you can find in any old fountain pen, rollerball pen and more. And I'll talk you through every step of the way, in a tutorial ideal for beginners to this water soluble ink sketching technique.

It's like the best kept secret in art that these everyday water soluble ink pens, so cheap to buy, can be used to create amazing art.

So, join me if you want to learn a simple three step process for fascinating and varied urban sketching with water soluble ink!

If you enjoy my videos please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE - it's a huge support to my little channel 😀

Audio credits:
Licensed under Creative Commons By Attribution 4.0 License
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Supplies and examples
03:21 Step One - Simplify
05:27 Step Two - Value
07:08 Step Three - Finishing touches
10:33 Adding brown ink
11:41 Finished sketch
13:20 Speed sketch - a second example

[MommyBee]

I LOVE your channel! I’m a mom of 4– I’ve never taken an art class in my life— I’ve learned more about sketching and art from you than I have in my entire 34 years of life. I want to write and illustrate children’s books and I’ve been keeping a sketchbook of daily life. It’s just so fun to learn from you! Thank you! So so much! 😊

[gingerspeidel-yset]

Thank God for YouTube. Instant education.

[kgloe]

flicking of fountain pen with brush I found to be so fun!

[richardingraham]

I have doing similar things for the last year or so, so quick and relaxing for me, some I will do watercolor wash over permanent. Ink .

[viviandibrell]

Love your loose confident style. I tend to make everything too straight and perfect and I am never happy because I want a very impressionistic loosey-goosey result. I am trying to hold my pen at the very tip and I will also try to stand up and extend my arm so I have less control. I love the idea of using water soluble Inc. Have you ever tried the Elegant Writer? When you finish your drawing and wet the ink, it bleeds into a beautiful teal and then if you dab it, it becomes teal and pink. It’s absolutely mesmerizing. Thanks for your great videos!

[russelltimmins]

Your videos are always inspirational. No YouTube in 1983 when I struggled to improve living in St Ives, Cornwall. I left my pens and brushes in a cupboard for decades😢. Then I stumbled across your videos and I have improved to no end. Both 😊 and 😢. Toby keep your videos coming!

[annipetratos]

I love your line and wash style. I'm very much a "paint by numbers" person...I'm giving this a try. Either I will learn to love painting like this, .or I'll just continue to love looking at them.

[marshatomkins]

I’ve done watercolor for many years, but I’ve lost my love for traditional painting, though not my love for wanting to make art. This is a fun new try for me. Thank you so much!

[m.rivera]

Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed tutorials. I am just diving into art as a 37 year old single mom of two and your videos are my favorite. Your love of art really comes through in your videos. ❤

[evaellis]

I’m a brand new follower and am so interested in your methods and teaching style. I am a long time watercolor artist but am not at all experienced in urban sketching. I have my pens and sketchbook at the ready and plan to correct that with your videos here on YouTube and skillshare courses. Can’t wait!!

[dimazi]

I am learning so much from your videos. I have tried to sketch loosely and always struggled. I am getting there now! Thank you!

[maryldoty]

Thank you so much for the inspiration! I love to try new ideas. The last time I used a water soluble ink I felt I had made a mistake. Now it looks like I could have claimed it was intentional. The next time it will be intentional.

[stephanes]

I use this technique a lot... It allows you to put shadows quickly and it's more fluid and lively than hatching... It brings blur and life to the sketches...
I've tried a lot of different ink colours (and sometimes combined 2 on the same drawing)... One of the colours that gives the best results in my opinion is "Lie de Thé" by J. Herbin: it is an affordable ink, brown/sepia in colour with green undertones that appear when washed out. I love it. Moreover, it doesn't wash out completely and the original lines remain partially visible, so the drawing doesn't disappear too much in the areas where the brush was used... 👍

[tonychestnut]

Another wonderful way to advance our drawing, and enjoyment. Thanks, Toby!

[nehasingh-tqtm]

I really liked the way you taught the technique. Thank you so much

[arcuda]

i had never seen the kombi cartridges .. it's great that they're compatible with the lamy pen👍👍thanks for the demo !!

[stellaball]

Another fun video Toby. Have you tried the Elegant Writer pens. The black ink splits into green and pink!

[christopherfolta]

Enjoy watching your videos here in Maine. You do inspire!

[CarolinaCanada]

What a fun technique. I can’t wait to try it! Take care. Have a nice Easter.

[eviedivadoodles]

I have been binge watching your videos for a few weeks now, and JUST realized you're from my hometown! I spy some familiar places, like the Chequers pub (did anyone buy that yet?)... and there's the bridal shop that I went to last time I was home for my niece! 🤯