Sketching
- wim van de wege
- Aug 20
- 4 min read
"In every sketch, the artist’s soul reveals itself most clearly."
Is there a clear distinction between a sketch and a drawing? In literature, a sketch is often described as an unfinished drawing, but is that always the case? A sketch can actually be a drawing or painting, executed quickly and spontaneously. In my view, a sketch is a rapid depiction. I find the sketches of the great masters often more appealing than their finished works because they exude spontaneity and power. Additionally, sketches are frequently created to visualize ideas and thoughts. A well-executed sketch can help gain a better understanding of the form, proportions, and composition of a design.
Sketching is one of my favorite activities. With minimal materials, I can work swiftly and spontaneously anywhere in the world without getting bogged down in excessive details. A sketch doesn't have to be perfect; it allows for mistakes. Embracing imperfection is crucial as joy in the creative process is vital. So, relish the imperfections and the freedom to explore ideas and experiment. In this article, I will showcase various sketches and sketching techniques.
Photo 1: Sketches of a beach scene. I created several small acrylic paint sketches from different viewpoints to ultimately select the most compelling composition. As you can see, there are no fine details, only swift lines, serving as a prelude to the painting. I always keep the sketches, reviewing or reusing them for new artworks.
Photo 2: A watercolor sketch of a seascape. Sometimes, colors in nature are so influential in setting the atmosphere that you feel the need to sketch them vividly. For this sketch, I used watercolor paint due to its quick application, minimal materials, and rapid drying time. However, with this technique, keen observation is essential as you can only work from light to dark and not the other way around. Watercolors are unforgiving if you make mistakes, but my advice is to embrace errors and enjoy the sketching process with watercolors—a splendid medium, possibly combined with ink or pencil.
Photo 3: Pencil sketch of a landscape. In this sketch, I aimed for a simple and minimalist representation of the landscape. Emphasizing the sky, row of trees, and the seemingly endless countryside creates a sense of vastness and tranquility—precisely what I intend to convey. Keep it simple and omit intricate details.
Photo 4: Pen and watercolor sketch. A winter landscape with watercolor and markers.
Even in winter you can sketch outside just fine. Most artists prefer working outdoors in summer, but I really enjoy sketching outside in winter. The temperature isn’t a problem, so why not just give it a try? This sketch, made with watercolor (don’t use too much water when it’s cold) and marker, was a study for a painting.
Photo 5: Besides landscapes and seascapes, urban environments are also intriguing subjects for sketching. Proportions, perspectives, and diverse forms play a crucial role here. Working with a sketching pen, a watercolor block, and a sketchbook in the city is an enjoyable experience. Crossing the threshold of sketching in public might be daunting, but it often leads to pleasant reactions, and your skills improve significantly. This sketch (Vlissingen) was created standing and then "washed" with watercolor paint.
Photo 6: During my vacation on Ameland, I expressed my passion for landscapes through a series of sketches using pens, pencils, and watercolors, emphasizing color and form. Dare to experiment with pen, pencil, paint, pastels, ballpoint pens, etc. Each sketch is unique, and the creator determines its appearance. No rules! To be honest, I've gone through the Ameland sketches several times, while the dozens of photos I took remain untouched in the Cloud. Sketching truly affects you! Reviewing them allows you to relive the (sketching) moment.
Photo 7: Sketching during a day at the beach. Just for fun! With a small sketchbook and a sketching pen, sitting on the sand, I quickly sketch people in a few minutes. Plenty of subjects to capture! Not everything is perfectly proportioned, but the joy experienced during sketching is immense, and revisiting them later is satisfying. The spontaneous nature, speed, and fluid lines form the basis for every sketch, setting it apart from a drawing.
Photo 8: Acrylic paint sketch on paper to capture the ambiance of the moment. Using broad brushstrokes, I depicted the sky, beach, and sea in a few minutes. Sketches are usually done on small paper formats, but this one was created on a large 80x60 cm sheet. I invite you to try sketching on larger paper sizes as it provides more expressive possibilities.
Photo 9: Sketch of the Wadden Sea on a panel using pencil, pen, ink, watercolor, and gouache. Here, color and atmosphere are decisive. Nothing is precisely delineated, but the speed and motion create an interesting composition.
Above, I've shown you some examples of sketches, but you can expand the list of sketches, mediums, and techniques on your own. Sketching is inherently linked to art, and for many years, sketches were undervalued. Nowadays, museums are increasingly exhibiting sketches and sketchbooks because they reveal the creative process, thoughts, ideas, as well as the mood and emotions of the artist. Essentially, a sketch is a blueprint of the creative soul.
Wim van de Wege
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