Seaside Sketching in Brighton

Capturing Coastal Moments at Our Brighton Sketching Retreat

Last year our group of sketchers captured the historic city walls of Chester. But this year, we set them up to a new challenge!

Brighton is famed for its iconic pebble beaches, legendary pier, victorian details, vibrant nightlife and cultural scene bursting with colour and creativity.

We loved seeing how our sketchers captured the unique spirit and vibrant energy of Brighton to life through their incredible sketches!

As we watched many wonderful sketches progress over the week with Ian Fennelly’s expert guidance, we also learned some top tips for how urban sketching principles can be applied to beach and coastal settings.

Here are some things we learned from our 2024 sketching retreat with Ian and some memorable moments from our week in Brighton.

Framing Your Scene

Feel free to experiment with your scene and arrange it to your liking. We added props such as deckchairs, umbrellas, bags, and bottles to fully capture the charm of this seaside location. The scenic backdrop naturally enhances the setup.

Deckchairs and sunbeds, with their varying angles, can be challenging to master at first. Consider doing some preliminary sketches to refine your skills.

Sketch by student Wendy P

Each Detail Counts

Absorb all the unique coastal details, from the tiniest pebble to the striking contours of a deckchair. Seaside towns and resorts are treasure troves of diverse shapes, patterns, and objects that can enhance your artistic skills. Pay attention to the lamps, chains, boats, and signs scattered throughout the area and incorporate these elements into your sketches. These details can add richness and depth to your artwork, helping you to capture the essence of the coastal environment.

WATCH OUT FOR THE BIRDS!

Seagulls at the English seaside can be bothersome, yet they brought us a lot of amusement! A flock even swooped down and devoured Ian’s entire fish and chips one day. We chose to embrace them, and ‘Steve Seagull’ became our mascot for the week. He appeared in many sketches and even appeared at the studio window to inspect our work!

Have Fun with the Signage

Coastal towns and seaside resorts brim with charming and whimsical signage, advertising an array of food and drink options that can add a vibrant touch to any sketch. These signs, ranging from classic fish and chips to exotic smoothies, present a fantastic opportunity to explore both vintage and contemporary lettering styles. Incorporate these into your artwork to capture the essence of the seaside atmosphere.

Sketch by student Elisabeth S

Prepare for all types of weather

When working under the summer sun, it’s crucial to keep the essentials in mind—sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, and parasols are incredibly beneficial. However, retreating to an indoor space when the heat becomes overwhelming is equally important. Despite using sunscreen, our redheaded team members, Lucy and Rebecca, ended up resembling lobsters by the end of the first day!

As the weather grew windy and cold later in the week, we were grateful to have access to a studio space for our afternoon sessions. Plus, it boasted a magnificent view of the sea.

Consider Your Horizon & shore Line

When illustrating scenes that feature the sea in the background, it’s important to carefully define your shoreline and horizon lines. Additionally, including elements like playful boats and parasols in the distance not only enhances the composition but also helps to establish a sense of scale. These details enrich the scene and contribute to its depth and perspective.

Sketch by student Anja S

Do as the locals do!

Delight in the lively atmosphere of the seaside! We savoured fish and chips, indulged in arcade games, enjoyed ice cream, had a blast on the pebble beach, sang karaoke, watched the sunset, posed with boats, and danced on the Victorian bandstand. All of these joyful moments will now be remembered when we look at our sketches, preserving the memories of those wonderful times in Brighton.

“This sketch will now forever remind me of my time in Brighton eating fish and chips on the beach”

– Annette

Reflect on your favourite sketches

When creating a group of sketches, it’s important to take a step back to reflect on your favourite sketch and think about why. Maybe you were proud of your progression, maybe it was one you enjoyed creating the most, or perhaps it holds a special memory.