Who is this course for?

This course is designed for anyone who has completed the Beginner’s Course or sketchers who are fascinated by sketching people in a variety of contexts. The lessons are a step up in both challenge and creativity, simply because of the nature of sketching people as a subject. They’ll nudge you out of your comfort zone while helping you develop your own sketching style.

Sketchers consistently say they found the course challenging but really valuable. With the biggest challenge being letting go of preconceptions around sketching people 'perfectly' and recognising what is achievable with pen and watercolour. As well as understanding how to gradually improve.

The improvement I see from the first workshop through to the final challenges in every student is quite amazing.

Is there a time limit?

There’s no time limit on this course.
Work through the lessons at your own pace, and feel free to revisit any part of the course as often as you like.

What supplies are suggested?

For most of the course, I use my usual set of watercolours, my favourite fountain pen, and watercolour paper. In every lesson where I set a sketching challenge or study, I’ll list exactly what I’ve used—so you can follow along easily.

Minimum Suggested Supplies

There is a basic list of supplies that I think is flexible and more than sufficient to create your ink and watercolour people.

• Surface

  • Student grade watercolour paper, 300gsm (140lbs) in weight, A4 (UK) or Letter (USA) in size. I prefer cold pressed paper. This paper might be in loose sheets, or in a sketchbook

• Sketching implement

  • A waterproof fineliner, or a sketching fountain pen (a cheap option is a 'Platinum Preppy')

  • Look for the words 'permanent' or 'waterproof' on the fineliner

• Waterproof Ink (if using a fountain pen) - such as platinum carbon X ink

  • Important note here - not all waterproof inks are fountain pen safe

• Watercolour paints

  • A student grade starter set is an affordable option and plenty to get started

• Watercolour brush

  • As a minimum, I would suggest student grade size 6 and 12 round brushes. These sizes are approximate and just a guideline

Recommended Supplies

For those of you more confident in your artistic direction, there is a slightly ‘enhanced list’ of recommended supplies. These are not necessary, but you may begin to appreciate there is a quality difference as you progress your techniques and style.

• Surface 

  • Professional grade watercolour paper, cold pressed, 300-450gsm (140-200lbs), A4/Letter in size, 100% cotton

  • My preference is for sketching on gummed 'blocks' of watercolour paper

• Drafting implement

  • 0.5mm mechanical pencil, such as a Rotring Tikki, and a putty eraser

  • I actually very rarely use a pencil, but that doesn’t mean you can’t

• Sketching implement 

  • My favourite sensibly priced option are the 'TWSBI' branded pens (ECO or diamond 580, with an extra fine nib)

• Waterproof Ink (if using a fountain pen)

  • Platinum Carbon X Ink is still my favourite

  • Important note here - not all waterproof inks are fountain pen safe

• Watercolour paints

  • I enjoy having 10-14 colours, mine are presently exclusively from Daniel Smith simply because I trust and understand them

• Watercolour brush

  • Flat brushes, large Chinese brushes, and mop brushes can add some flexibility to your painting processes

Common FAQs and where to find answers

👉 The big FAQ list!

👉 View the supplies I use most often

👉 How to log in and find your course dashboard

👉 How to post your photos and get feedback

👉 My photos are too big to post, how do I make them smaller?

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