Ever opened your sketchbook, stared at the blank page, and thought:
“What on earth do I draw today?”
It’s a familiar feeling, especially when you’re just starting out or when your confidence is shaky.
You might glance around the room and see:
- The teacup on the table
- The jumble of rooftops across the street
- A sleepy dog curled up in the shade
They all seem like good subjects. But which one should you sketch? And more importantly, how?
That’s where Ian Fennelly’s process comes in. It’s a beautifully simple, five-step method you can return to again and again, no matter what you’re drawing.
One Process, Endless Possibilities
Pencil → Fine liner → Watercolour → Brush pen → Final details.
That’s it.
No complicated rules. No overwhelming instructions. Just a rhythm, a sequence you can trust.
And here’s the magic: this method works anywhere, with anything.
It’s not just for workshop scenes or professional artists. It’s for you, sketching on your own terms, in your own way.
Why This Sketching Method Works
Let’s say you’re drawing a narrow street. You start with pencil, lightly laying out the perspective. Then move to your fine liner to build structure. Watercolour captures the sunlight and softness. Brush pens bring the shadows to life, and those final pen strokes sharpen the texture of rooftops and windows.
Now imagine something entirely different, like a scruffy terrier who refuses to sit still, or a pile of tangled lobster nets by the harbour.
The order stays the same:
- Pencil marks set the shape
- Fine liner defines
- Watercolour builds mood
- Brush pens deepen the tone
- Final detail brings it to life
The method is constant, but the emphasis shifts. That’s what gives your sketch personality.
- For the dog, you might lean on watercolour to express softness.
- For the nets, more pen work to capture their gritty complexity.
Over time, those decisions, those subtle shifts in emphasis, become your style. And you didn’t need to overthink it. You just followed a rhythm.
The Freedom in Familiarity
There’s a comfort in having a repeatable method.
Instead of reinventing your approach with every sketch, you let the process guide you. That leaves more room for the fun stuff:
- What details to include
- What to simplify
- Where to go bold, and where to hold back
And here’s the best part: the tools don’t have to be fancy. Fabriano paper is lovely, but your trusty little travel sketchbook is just as worthy. It’s not about the materials, it’s about the layers of seeing that you bring to the page.
Your Sketching Prompt This Week
Here’s a gentle challenge.
Pick something you’d usually ignore.
A lamp post.
A shoe.
Your friend’s coffee mug.
Now run it through Ian’s 5-step sketching process. See what emerges.
It might be a little messy. The shadows might wobble. The colours might go muddy. But somewhere on that page will be a moment, a line, a splash, a spark that feels undeniably yours.
That’s where growth begins.
If you’re looking for more ways to put this into practice, our Urban Sketching Courses
cover everything from tractors in the junkyard, to the peaceful charm of the countryside. The method stays the same. The adventure, that’s entirely up to you.
Final Thoughts
The next time your sketchbook stares back at you blankly, remember this:
You don’t need new skills.
You don’t need a dramatic subject.
You just need a simple method and the courage to begin.
Because what you’re really sketching isn’t just a scene.
You’re sketching your way into confidence, connection, and creative joy, one imperfect, wonderful page at a time.
Ready to learn more?
Learn the art of urban sketching with Ian Fennelly in our Beginner’s course as he guides you through 47 easy-to-follow lessons, with practical exercises, that transform you from complete beginner to skilled urban sketcher!
