The 'Road Map' for Sketching Loose

Do you ever look at a blank page and feel a bit... stuck? Or maybe you’ve been sketching for a while, but your work feels "stiff" and you’re ready to let go?

The Sketch Loose Method isn't just about drawing; it’s about finding a style that feels like you. To help you get there, I’ve designed a path that builds your confidence one layer at a time. Here is exactly how to navigate our courses to get the best results, and where to jump in depending on your goals and confidence.

Whats available?

Currently available are six different courses, available to buy individually or as bundles (more on this below). When I designed, built and recorded these courses I had specific learning goals in mind, and a specific order people might want to take them in. The courses, therefore, have minimal overlap - instead they build on one another, with the core concepts the same However, that doesn't mean you can't do the courses in whatever order you take. Particularly, if you feel you want to jump in at a higher level of challenge.

If you are a beginner, however, I strongly recommend starting with one of the first two courses on the roadmap - 'Beginner's ink and watercolours' or 'Sketching with ink'.

How challenging are the courses?

Every artist’s journey is different, but to help you find the right starting point, I’ve rated each course on a scale of 1 to 5.

• Level 1: Absolute Beginner – Never picked up a brush, or haven't in years? Start here. We focus on the absolute basics to get you moving.

• Level 2: Confident Beginner – You understand your tools but want to focus on "loosening up" your lines, simplifying your scenes, and solidifying your core skills.

• Level 3: Intermediate – You’re comfortable with the pen and brush, and now you want the confidence to tackle more challenging, detailed or abstract scenes.

• Level 4+: Intermediate/Advanced – Ready for the tough stuff. We cover complex decision-making, advanced techniques like wet-on-wet, and the art of sketching live on location.

Step 1: The "No-Risk" Kickstart

Course: The Free 7-Day Intro If you’re not ready to commit, start here. This is a one-week "taster" designed to prove to you that you can create a beautiful watercolour sketch in just 15 minutes a day. No pressure, just play.

Step 2: Building Your Foundation (Core Skills)

Once you’ve got the bug, it’s time to master the fundamentals. I recommend taking these in order:

1. Beginner’s Ink and Watercolours: Learn the fundamentals of your tools. We cover basic linework, perspective and how to create fluid washes and layers in your colours without making mud. We cover a range of different scenes, from landscapes, to urban scenes, seascapes to still lifes.

2. Sketching with Ink: We take the fear out of the pen. Learn to trust your hand and make bold, confident marks. Develop ink-specific skills such as hatching and textures. And understand more about how to incorporate continuous lines and break down your compositions. This course takes the ideas from the Beginner's course to a whole new level and is an ideal follow on for those really wanting to develop their pen work.

3. Simplify Sketching: Don't get overwhelmed by the details. This course focuses on the "secret sauce" of sketching: using color and ink strategically to simplify any scene. You’ll learn how to prioritize your linework and use watercolor washes to create a sense of space and light, giving your sketches a professional, effortless feel.

You can also purchase all three of these courses together for a significant saving as 'The Core Skills Bundle' and you'll also get access to 3 months of Patreon to complement your purchase (a code will be sent automatically to you on purchase)..

Step 3: Taking it to the next level (Deep Dives)

Now that you have the skills, let’s put them to the test in the real world. These courses focus on atmosphere and "big picture" sketching:

• Rural Landscapes: Capture the soft textures and vastness of nature. This course explores how to identify the underlying shapes in rural scenes and uses techniques like atmospheric perspective and negative space to bring depth to open, interpretative landscapes.

• Urban Ink & Watercolours: This is my most comprehensive course, designed to help you tackle the "scary" stuff. We deconstruct busy city streets and daunting perspective into manageable steps. You’ll be amazed at the complex, professional-level urban scenes you’ll be able to create by the final workshop.

• Sketching Outside: The final step in your roadmap. This is an extended course that shows you how to pack up your skills and take them into the real world. We cover the practicalities of working on location, from dealing with changing light and moving people to the pure joy of sketching live.

You can also purchase all three of these courses together for a significant saving as 'The Deep Dive Bundle' and you'll also get access to 3 months of Patreon to complement your purchase (a code will be sent automatically to you on purchase)..

Really keen on sketching and want to save some money?

If you know that sketching is for you, and you're really interested in the full experience then I recommend purchasing 'The Everything Bundle' This comes with all 6 courses, and 6 months of Patreon access as well to keep you sketching more, more often and for longer!

Why do the courses have different prices?

It mostly comes down to the size and depth of the course.

• Length & Detail: Higher-priced courses feature more lessons, longer video runtimes, and dive much deeper into complex techniques.

• Production Costs: Some courses simply take more resources to create! For example, Sketching Outside required extensive travel and on-location filming to bring that authentic, real-world experience directly to your screen.

Wait, what exactly is Patreon?

If you buy any bundle, you'll get three months free on Patreon, or more. But what is Patreon?

• It's a membership: You pay a small monthly amount (like buying me a fancy coffee once a month!) to support my art and tutorials.

• It's a backstage pass: In return, I give you exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes content, and discounts you won't find on YouTube or Instagram.

• It's a community: There is a thriving group of fellow sketchers there supporting each other, taking part in the challenges, and sharing their art..

• It's flexible: There are no contracts. You are in complete control and can cancel your membership whenever you like, no questions asked.

You can find out more by heading over to my page: https://www.patreon.com/c/sketchloose

Got another question?

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If you can't find you answer, please email me - toby@sketchloose.co.uk