Karen Beaney

Karen Beaney, an intermediate sketcher with prior art experience, sought a way to bring more energy and freedom to her watercolors while capturing landscapes and architectural details. She discovered Ian Fennelly’s courses and began her journey toward a more relaxed, enjoyable approach to urban sketching.

Urban Sketch Course Experience

Karen joined the Beginners Course and Rural Sketch Course to break free from precise tools like rulers, pencils, and erasers. She was drawn to the opportunity to create lively, vibrant artworks with a looser, more intuitive style.

Karen found several aspects of Ian Fennelly’s courses particularly impactful:

Bite-Sized Lessons: “The huge variety of topics covered and the way they’re broken down into manageable chunks is fantastic. I can dip in and out to fit sketching around my schedule.”

Creative Freedom: “I love how imprecise it can be and still create amazing artworks.”

"I love how imprecise it can be and still create amazing artworks. I also love the huge variety of topics a covered and how each is broken down into bite size chunks and that I can dip in and out of all of it to fit around my own time."

– Karen Beaney

Urban Sketch+ Membership

Karen’s membership in Urban Sketch+ has further elevated her skills and confidence. The community and resources have encouraged her to tackle projects she once avoided and to seek out rich, detailed scenes for her artwork. Since joining the courses, Karen has transformed her sketching process. She now approaches interesting, complex scenes with confidence, free from the constraints of precise tools.

"I’ve loosened up and now tackle projects I would naturally stay away from. I now look for scenes with lots of interesting things to paint/sketch rather than finding simple things to sketch."

– Karen Beaney

Karen is proud of the progress she’s made, which is evident when comparing her recent works to her early sketches.

"I have loved getting to know and sketch in person with Ian at the three live workshop events I have participated in with him. He is a joy to be around and probably the most positive, encouraging and genuine person I know. Just a super delightful guy and super talented artist."

– Scott Peterson

Karen’s journey with Ian Fennelly’s courses has allowed her to embrace creative freedom and bring a vibrant, lively energy to her sketches. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of Urban Sketching.

Start Sketching for Free

Inspired by Karen’s story? Join a FREE urban sketching course with renowned artist Ian Fennelly! Gain skills and confidence through easy-to-follow lessons, hands-on exercises, and step-by-step guidance. Capture your surroundings with style and personality—don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from one of the world’s top urban sketchers, completely free!