Getting Started
Ian Fennelly has built an extraordinary reputation as one of the world’s finest urban sketchers and most sought-after teachers.
Ian’s distinct style of on-location art, engaging teaching methods, and all-round creativity has earned him a passionate global following.
Urban Sketching is a trend that’s sweeping the world; take a seat next to Artist Ian Fennelly to begin your journey! Whether you are a complete newbie, looking to ignite that creative flame inside you, or expand and deepen the work you are already producing, Urban Sketch Course has the training you need to get started and level up your skills quickly.
Through a range of online training courses, you’ll be guided through the world of Urban Sketching with Ian Fennelly, experiencing different locations, and various techniques Ian uses to create exquisite sketches. You’ll get an insight into a day in the life of an Urban Sketch artist, and even get to see inside his sketchbooks. Each course is designed to educate you, inspire you and most importantly encourage you to have fun!
Ian Fennelly is a renowned urban sketcher and instructor known for his vibrant, location-based sketching. His courses cover his unique methods in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach.
You have come to the right place. No prior knowledge, experience or qualifications are required to take this course. The course has been designed for everyone from absolute beginners to keen amateurs. The course interface is designed to be simple, intuitive and easy to follow with no complicated jargon. We will get you on the road to developing a lifelong creative routine, that will turn drawing and painting into a regular, rich, fun part of your life.
Artist, Ian Fennelly leads you on a passionate journey and adventure, teaching us the most valuable skills and essentials elements required, to bring your piece to life:
You will learn, develop and apply the following:
– Line Drawing
– Texture
– Mark Making
– Tone
– Form
– Shape
– Composition
– Color
– How to apply watercolor
We recommend starting your urban sketch journey with the Beginner’s Course. In this course, you’ll not only learn the basics but Ian has designed a curriculum that teaches you the specific skills you needed layer by layer,without overwhelming you.
Once you’ve got the foundational skills and knowledge in place, then it’s up to you which path you take. For beginners, a good next step is the High Street Sketch Course, which focuses on the front elevations of buildings and adds to the skills you learn from the beginners. But don’t restrict yourself! All of our courses be found here.
The age range of our students varies significantly from school and college students, right up to senior citizens. The course content has been designed to accommodate anyone of any age and ability. However, in the interest of children’s online safety we do have a minimum age requirement of 13 years. See our terms and conditions for more details.
Using our Student Gallery is a great way to share your work, recieve feedback from other students and be a part of our community.
First you will need to take a photo of your sketch, for best results, try taking the photo in natural and even lighting. Taking your photo outside may help.
Next, log into the site and go to the Student Gallery. Here you can upload your photo by using a form. You also have the option to add a `Name` and `Description` of your sketch.
We recommend that you add the name of the course/workshop name and prehaps something you`re looking for advice on specifically.
Don’t forget to have a look through other images and leave comments too!
We’re glad you asked! Urban Sketch Course PLUS is our premium subscription-based training community. It’s aimed at anyone wanting to improve their sketching skills with a more personal and focused approach.
As part of your membership, you’ll take speciailised sketching training, get access to exclusive content and watch regular sketching critique videos for you to get direct, personal feedback on your work as well as a private Facebook group for daily discussions, competitions, polls, quizzes and showcases.
Materials
Ian Fennelly has built an extraordinary reputation as one of the world’s finest urban sketchers and most sought-after teachers.
Ian’s distinct style of on-location art, engaging teaching methods, and all-round creativity has earned him a passionate global following.
Urban Sketching is about the documentation of a scene and not the materials used; it is completely up to you what equipment and supplies you use. Ian will be using watercolours, fine liner pens, brush pens, and more! We will give you a list of suggested supplies and details within the course. You can also read more about some of the materials Ian uses here.
Ian uses the Fabriano Spiral Bound A3 Sketchbook 140lb HP (Classic 5)
You can use either cold press or hot press depending on what look you want to achieve. Cold press will have a slightly rougher paper texture and hot press has a smoother finish when using fineliners.
Ink pens are popular for their permanence, while some prefer pencils for a more flexible approach, especially to begin with. To find out which pens are recommended for this course, have a read of this blog: Urban Sketching Kit
Not necessarily. Many sketchers use travel watercolor kits, which are compact and include basic colors that can be mixed.
Courses
Ian Fennelly has built an extraordinary reputation as one of the world’s finest urban sketchers and most sought-after teachers.
Ian’s distinct style of on-location art, engaging teaching methods, and all-round creativity has earned him a passionate global following.
All of this material is available to you, forever. You get full, unrestricted lifetime access to the course which you can access at any time, 24/7. There are no time limits, no restrictions of any kind and no pressure whatsoever! As soon as you enrol, you will have access to work along at your own pace -watch the Modules once a week or even binge-watch as much as you want. It’s completely up to you.
The information, principles, techniques and strategies taught within our sketching courses are universal and therefore completely relevant to students worldwide, after all… art is universal. We also have closed captions available on our courses in multiple languages.
No. Only very basic computer knowledge is required to complete our Urban Sketch Course. If you can point and click a mouse, then you’re probably okay! All training materials are delivered via our secure online learning portal, which you get access to the moment you sign up.
It’s simple – join Urban Sketch Course PLUS! Once you’ve become a course member you can upgrade your account to become a PLUS member.
Urban Sketch PLUS means you get…
- Regular feedback on your gallery sketches
- Unlock specalised sketching training
- Access to our private Facebook group
- Your sketches featured in video critiques
- Join in monthly art challenges with prizes
Discover why you should upgrade to Urban Sketch PLUS here.
Virgin Experience Vouchers
To redeem your Virgin Experience Voucher, please send us the following details by emailing us or by creating a ticket via the Urban Sketch Help Desk.
For virginexperiencegifts.com vouchers:
Virgin Voucher #:
First and Last Name:
Phone Number:
For virginexperiencedays.co.uk vouchers:
Name:
Voucher serial number:
PIN:
email:
Once we have received and redeemed your voucher, we will respond to your email with your unique registration link to enable you to register your account with us, which will allow you to begin your new course.
Groupon and other partners
To redeem your voucher and register you will need your voucher at hand, but the process is very simple to get started please follow this link.
Step one requires your Groupon voucher code and basic details. The second step is all the relevant details to register your account with us.
Unfortunately, the course material is not available for download as a PDF or as a printable version.
The course contains a lot of interactive elements that can only work when connected to the internet. This would make a PDF version difficult to re-create.
Yes. Our courses are fully compatible with all tablet and mobile devices, including iPads, tablets and smartphones. We’re iOS and Android compatible too!
Retreats
Ian Fennelly has built an extraordinary reputation as one of the world’s finest urban sketchers and most sought-after teachers.
Ian’s distinct style of on-location art, engaging teaching methods, and all-round creativity has earned him a passionate global following.
All information can be found on our upcoming retreats by clicking here: Urban Sketch Retreats with Ian Fennelly
Yes. Ian will assume no prior experience and will take you carefully through each of the steps in his process as he is doing it – from blank pages to the shapes and colours he uses, through to finished artwork.
We recommend that you bring with you an A3 Sketchbook, your watercolour paints and brushes, a small pot for water, brush pens and fine liners, a small chair to sit on, drinking water, sunscreen, and a raincoat (it is the UK after all!) and your best sketching attitude!
For a full materials list, take a look here.
Yes. This is authentic urban sketching and Ian will be taking you through all of the steps while we’re there on-location; from blank page to sketching everything out, to applying the paint and fine liner detail work, there and then. There will also be lots of opportunities and a special area back at the hotel to finish and refine your work should you wish to.
Firstly, while our online courses are a wonderful way to learn urban sketching, truthfully, nothing can replicate the experience, knowledge, and sheer pleasure you will gain from sketching live on location with Ian Fennelly.
Secondly, there is a vast difference between watching and learning from Ian through online tutorials, and actually being there on location, learning and sketching alongside him.
You see, urban sketching is not only about the lines you put on your paper, but about developing and refining the skill of thinking, working, and responding to your environment in real time. And that can’t be developed through sketching from photos. But this is where Ian excels and it’s this level of detail and expertise that you are getting through being there on-location with Ian Fennelly.
Finally, Ian is not only one of the most respected urban sketchers in the world, but he’s also a trained and highly experienced teacher who will be there each day to personally help you to improve on those areas you might be struggling with. The value of having him there to personally guide and coach you are far beyond what you can gain through any online course.
And of course, along with this, you are getting a highly enjoyable week’s experience with a group of fellow sketching enthusiasts! Not only will you make wonderful art together, but you’ll make some special friendships too.
We strongly recommend that you have a good travel and medical insurance policy in place to cover you in the event you must cancel your trip and any emergency medical services you might need while travelling in a foreign country. Fennelly Art Ltd and V-Learn Ltd t/a Urban Sketch Course cannot be held responsible for any accident/loss or injury incurred during the course of the trip.
No. Each participant will have their own private room at The Hotel. You will only share a room if you choose to bring a travel companion with you, such as a friend, partner, etc.
Yes. If you wish to make any adjustments or upgrades to your room, please contact us at: [email protected]
Yes. Non-sketching companions are welcome to share with a sketcher at a reduced rate as there is plenty to see and explore on our retreats.
The cost of the trip is non-refundable once booked and paid for. In the unlikely event this trip is cancelled you will be issued with a 100% refund. If you are unable to join the event after booking, we will attempt to resell your place on your behalf. A refund will only be issued if we manage to successfully resell your place, minus a cancellation admin fee. Please read our full workshop terms and conditions here.
Contact our support team at any time on support
@urbansketchcourse.com. We will be delighted to help you.Products
Ian Fennelly has built an extraordinary reputation as one of the world’s finest urban sketchers and most sought-after teachers.
Ian’s distinct style of on-location art, engaging teaching methods, and all-round creativity has earned him a passionate global following.
1-2 WEEKS PROCESSING TIME
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