Choosing a view to sketch, maybe this one.

Or perhaps this view. Look at the rocks, sand and aqua sea.

This is quite a new way for me to sketch. I’ve been a dedicated en plain air sketcher since forever. Find a subject and get it onto the page right there and then. No messing about.
But we are in a new world with the virus dictating so many of our choices. All sorts of virtual classes, video classes and working from photos have grown out of necessity. Some may be lucky enough to sketch on location, but most people have been in lockdown or in a social distancing situation.
It simply hasn’t been possible to sketch plain air. So what is a sketcher to do. It’s an essential part of our lives and we have to do things differently now and get used to it.

So come with me on my step by step virtual sketch of Cabarita Beach in Northern NSW Australia. I was able to take the photos at the beach as we’d gone there to have a picnic. But here’s where you can look up good reference on Pinterest or Uncle Google.

I’ve uploaded the photos to my laptop and put it up as a full screen image.
My sketchbook sits below the screen on over the key pad and below the image, so that I can quickly look between the two.
I still keep my sketching loose and I’ll use what I see to create a composition I’m happy with. It’s an impression I’m after.

I do like do a quick thumbnail before the main sketch. it really helps me see the big shapes before I launch in. Always helps to have a plan of where everything will go!
I’m using my TWSBI 580 Diamond fountain pen, and can you believe - I use 110gsm sketch pad. Never been a problem and it’s lighter to travel with.
I use a Rosemary & Co 1/4inch dagger brush - make sure it’s the Travel brush which has it’s own container.

Erin Hill Sketching. Laying out the painr.jpg

Now for getting the watercolours ready. I put my ‘3 musketeers’ (Yellow Ochre, Cad Red, Ultramarine) This is my Custom palette.
All my 8 colours are put into the palette as a medium wash.
The top spaces are for Sap Green, Hookers Green Dark,, Permanent Rose, Purple Lake.
This is my Custom palette.

If you’ve ever sketched with me, you’ll know I start with chinagraph (paint resist pencil) scribbling round tops and sides of the elements in the sketch.

On with a wash of yellow ochre, (wash and check the brush is properly clean between adding the colours.)Now adding Cad Red. Big strokes dropped down the centre of your tree and branches. Lastly the Ultramarine wash over both colours. Be sure your book is on an angle to let the paint run down. Try to let the paint bloom and create it’s magic. If you ‘Painty paint’ over the area, you’ll make mud!

Wow. It’s coming on. I’m treating it loosely, as I would if on location.

Ok, Still with me? I’ve dropped those 3 colours again, in various depths as you can see, on the rocks. Toss in a little sap green on the grass foreground.

Both greens are used for the Pandanus palm leaves. Splashed on might be a better description. Now I can add that little bit of land in the background. Pop a little red in the centre of your greens to give instant depth.

Now for the sea. Cerulean is my go-to for this. I like to leave a lot of white and now the chinagraph will show on the waves. I love using Purple Lake as a contrast in the water. As I come forward, a little Sap Green picks up the fading colour as the water comes over the sand. Now for a bit more strength in the Cerulean and Sap Green just under the waves. There are 2 little surfers out there by the way!

Look for somewhere to add a dash of red. It is vital. Up to this point the colours can appear a little same/same. That pop of red brings the whole thing to life.
I like to put in the sky last. Run some Cobalt - no it’s not in my 8, but make a little puddle next to the ultramarine. Wash quite strongly on the horizon and around the middle part of the sketch. I do soften the edges with pure water on the brush to avoid hard edges.

It all looks pretty pleasing by this stage. If I’m making myself happy then I achieved a lot.

Step away from the whole sketch at this point. Take a look at it from a distance and you’ll get a good idea if you’re done or not quite. Usually it’s the darks that need some additional paint. Go over the areas you’d like darker, down the tree trunk, behind the rocks, using Cad Red with Ultramarine dropped on top. That does the trick.

Once dry you may like to get out your white Posca Pen (0.7mm bullet shape nib.) Pick out edges which need more definition such as the rings on the tree, splashing water over rocks, and foreground rocks, leaves on the palm.

Sign and Date, give it a title. You own the work. It’s part of who you are.
If you’d like to see more Virtual sketches like this do let me know.

Let's go Virtual Sketching - Step by Step