Looking for Compositions
Discover valuable advice and tips from Ian Fennelly in our new “How-to” guide.
In this guide, Ian offers insights on how to find the perfect scene, including selecting key elements, identifying features, and familiarizing yourself with the landscape.
Choose your Elements & Features
When planning to sketch on location, thinking ahead can significantly improve your experience of being outdoors. By envisioning the key elements and features you want to capture before arriving, you can focus your energy and creativity more efficiently.
Perhaps do some research into the area before arriving so you have a rough idea of what to expect at that location. For instance, if you’re visiting a city, knowing whether you’ll encounter towering skyscrapers, historic cobblestone streets, bustling riverside scenes, or peaceful parks can help you decide which materials to bring and what techniques you want to practice.
Consider if you’re looking for the greatest hits of that city or the quiet passageways. If your goal is to focus on the city’s most famous features, you might want to study how other artists have depicted them and decide how you want your approach to differ. On the other hand, if you’re looking to sketch less crowded, serene passageways or hidden gems, understanding the layout of the area can help you find those secluded spots.
“If I’m going somewhere specific, for example when we went to London, I knew I wanted to do various landmarks. But somewhere like Wales is not quite the same. Because you know you want the features, and you want all those elements but it’s not always as easy to find.”
Spend time in the landscape
Spending time in a location or landscape before sketching allows you to form a deeper connection with the surroundings, and truly be able to capture the atmosphere. Every place has a rhythm, a mood, and subtle details that are only noticeable if you allow yourself to explore and experience it fully. The more you look, the more you’ll see!
Walking through a space, rather than driving around in a car can provide a completely different perspective. While driving, your focus is split between navigating and glimpsing the environment at a distance, and you’re often isolated from the full sensory experience. On foot, however, you can slow down, wander around, stumble upon hidden vantage points, secret passageways, or unexpected scenes that you wouldn’t have found with a quick glance or a pre-planned route.
“There’s certain shapes, patterns, textures and stories I’m looking for, it takes time. You’ve got to spend some time in the landscape to really appreciate what’s going on.”
Keep going until you find what works
Taking the time to find exactly the right spot for a composition that resonates with you is a crucial aspect of creating meaningful artwork that will speak to you deeply. Rushing the process can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with the final piece, as you might overlook details, miss an interesting angle, or fail to capture the essence of the subject. So take your time, consider your angles and where you can sketch comfortably. If you’re working from a studio, take more photos than you think you’ll need so you’ve got options and make sure to take closer snaps of details in the scene.
How to find your scene in urban sketching
Watch the full video as Ian Fennelly explains how he finds his scenes
