Great post. Limited supplies is an excellent tip, I have so many art supplies and honestly, it can get overwhelming and then that overwhelming turns to inaction. As a side note, I love your use of blues in your picture. So vibrant.
Thanks Maria, this makes me very happy to hear! Yes, I use black De Atramentis Document Ink which is waterproof and the coloured inks I use are Rohrer & Klingner Sketch Inks, also waterproof 😊
Yes, I used a Lamy converter which is pretty easy to fill up. I also like to sketch with Pilot Parallel pens, which don't have a converter for them, so I empty out the cartridge they come with and use a pipet to fill it up with waterproof ink.
So inspiring to read all these tips, Louisa. I get sidetracked wondering which sketchbook I should get and if it should be dedicated to just one thing, medium or concept. I’m getting there ! Your b/w contrast landscapes are wonderful.
Glad it was helpful 😊 Yes, I spent a long time trying to find the ‘perfect’ sketchbook and have many unfinished ones. There are so many little paths to wander down. But is it fun playing around!
It was lovely to see your sketches and to hear your drawing tips. I’ve been keeping a sketchbook for years, but hearing how others fit it in always helps. I love the idea of leaving a little early or going outside without a phone. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful list of tips and tutorials!
Great idea to draw your « regular » environment: It doesn’t need you to go somewhere, or to install a complicated outfit around you, or worse, to « wait for the right moment »… here and now, no excuse. I’ll adopt that way of thinking : hope I’ll be more productive !
A question : I see in the first picture that you use a Lamy Safari. What ink do you use ? Mine blurs when i use watercolor to complete my drawings. I was told that Indian ink (or other waterproof ink) is not good in pens because it can dry inside and block the mechanism. How do you address that problem ?
Yes, make it as easy as possible, otherwise it just doesn’t happen 😊
I use De Atramentis Document Ink in my purple Lamy, which is a black waterproof ink suitable for fountain pens. I use this pen very regularly, so I haven’t had a problem with it drying up or clogging. I also use various colours of Rohrer & Klingner Sketch Ink (see my Wigeon sketch), also meant for fountain pens and waterproof. I don’t use these colours so often, so sometimes they dry in the nib, but I just swish it in some water, and it usually starts to flow again. Interestingly I also like to sketch with Pilot Parallel pens which I use this ink in, and they never seem to dry up, no matter how long I leave them. Hope this helps, happy sketching!
I’ve done Foundations, Watercolour and some of Travel Sketching and I have Sketchbook Design still to do! I bought a bundle deal a few years ago, so I’m glad there is lifetime access 😅 There is so much content, and lots I know I’ll re-visit in the future.
Great tips. I think all of these are important but maybe community is one that gets overlooked sometimes. It’s so helpful to be able to share what you’re doing and to share in the work of others
Appreciate those tips - I promised myself i need to go try some local groups - but realised i don’t yet have a dedicated space for my materials so that might help.
Helpful and inspiring tips! I’ve always made art and when I was younger I drew and sketched all the time, but hadn’t really drawn in ages — until recently !! Now I’m back at it and so inspired by all you young artists here on Substack. Thanks so much.
Great post. Limited supplies is an excellent tip, I have so many art supplies and honestly, it can get overwhelming and then that overwhelming turns to inaction. As a side note, I love your use of blues in your picture. So vibrant.
Thanks Rachael 💙 I have really tried to stop myself from buying new supplies. I have too much that I never use and it definitely gets overwhelming.
Great post! Thank you for sharing this, it's inspired me to keep drawing.
Do you use a waterproof ink for Lamy safari?
Thanks Maria, this makes me very happy to hear! Yes, I use black De Atramentis Document Ink which is waterproof and the coloured inks I use are Rohrer & Klingner Sketch Inks, also waterproof 😊
Good to know, thank you for the information,Louisa. I'll do some research. Do you use a converter?
Yes, I used a Lamy converter which is pretty easy to fill up. I also like to sketch with Pilot Parallel pens, which don't have a converter for them, so I empty out the cartridge they come with and use a pipet to fill it up with waterproof ink.
So inspiring to read all these tips, Louisa. I get sidetracked wondering which sketchbook I should get and if it should be dedicated to just one thing, medium or concept. I’m getting there ! Your b/w contrast landscapes are wonderful.
Glad it was helpful 😊 Yes, I spent a long time trying to find the ‘perfect’ sketchbook and have many unfinished ones. There are so many little paths to wander down. But is it fun playing around!
Such a wonderful post Louisa, full of great tips! I am so grateful that we somehow connected with each other through IG a few years ago 💛
Thanks Teresa ☺️ I know, it has been so lovely 🥰
It was lovely to see your sketches and to hear your drawing tips. I’ve been keeping a sketchbook for years, but hearing how others fit it in always helps. I love the idea of leaving a little early or going outside without a phone. Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful list of tips and tutorials!
I’m glad you found it helpful, I always find it useful to share our ideas.
Great info. Thank you.
Glad you found it helpful ☺️
Great idea to draw your « regular » environment: It doesn’t need you to go somewhere, or to install a complicated outfit around you, or worse, to « wait for the right moment »… here and now, no excuse. I’ll adopt that way of thinking : hope I’ll be more productive !
A question : I see in the first picture that you use a Lamy Safari. What ink do you use ? Mine blurs when i use watercolor to complete my drawings. I was told that Indian ink (or other waterproof ink) is not good in pens because it can dry inside and block the mechanism. How do you address that problem ?
Yes, make it as easy as possible, otherwise it just doesn’t happen 😊
I use De Atramentis Document Ink in my purple Lamy, which is a black waterproof ink suitable for fountain pens. I use this pen very regularly, so I haven’t had a problem with it drying up or clogging. I also use various colours of Rohrer & Klingner Sketch Ink (see my Wigeon sketch), also meant for fountain pens and waterproof. I don’t use these colours so often, so sometimes they dry in the nib, but I just swish it in some water, and it usually starts to flow again. Interestingly I also like to sketch with Pilot Parallel pens which I use this ink in, and they never seem to dry up, no matter how long I leave them. Hope this helps, happy sketching!
I took Liz Steel’s travel sketching course earlier this year and learned a lot from her! Someday I’ll probably take another course of hers.
I have done a few of her courses, and she is an excellent teacher; so much information, but delivered in a really easy-to-take-in way.
Nice! Which ones have you done?
I’ve done Foundations, Watercolour and some of Travel Sketching and I have Sketchbook Design still to do! I bought a bundle deal a few years ago, so I’m glad there is lifetime access 😅 There is so much content, and lots I know I’ll re-visit in the future.
Great tips. I think all of these are important but maybe community is one that gets overlooked sometimes. It’s so helpful to be able to share what you’re doing and to share in the work of others
I completely agree. I haven’t found any local sketching group near me, so having a community online has been really supportive.
Appreciate those tips - I promised myself i need to go try some local groups - but realised i don’t yet have a dedicated space for my materials so that might help.
Thanks Mark. I have found it really helps to have everything in easy reach, plus a little pouch to take out with me for on location sketching.
Helpful and inspiring tips! I’ve always made art and when I was younger I drew and sketched all the time, but hadn’t really drawn in ages — until recently !! Now I’m back at it and so inspired by all you young artists here on Substack. Thanks so much.
So glad you found it useful Karen! (and I appreciate being called a ‘young artist’ 😃)
Great tips! I'd love to have a sketch day with you sometime soon 🤗
Definitely, we need to work something out (before the good weather disappears!)