Terry Randall

How urban sketching helped Terry rediscover his passion and joy for art, transforming hesitant sketches into creative confidence

Terry Randall joined Ian Fennelly’s Beginner course to refine his sketching skills. With a background in watercolour painting, he recognized that improving his initial sketches would elevate his finished works. Terry’s journey into Urban Sketching began when he discovered Ian’s unique style through a fellow artist and decided to explore his teaching methods.

Before-and-after student sketch – Urban Sketch Course progress photo

Urban Sketch Course Experience

Terry enrolled in Ian’s free workshop and quickly signed up for the Beginners Course before even completing the initial class. His dedication to learning and openness to trying new techniques has been a cornerstone of his progress as an artist.

Terry’s inspiration came from seeing an Urban Sketch of the Rialto Bridge in Venice posted by a fellow watercolour artist. Intrigued by the distinctiveness of the sketch, he began searching for Ian Fennelly’s work on YouTube. Recognizing that he struggles with initial sketches were holding him back, he took the plunge into Urban Sketching with Ian’s courses to improve his skills and boost his confidence.

"I was a member of an on-line watercolour class that used Facebook to share their art. One of the artists posted their sketch version of the Rialto Bridge in Venice. A lot of people loved it and enquired with her about it as it was quite different to what we had been painting. That is when I discovered Ian Fennelly and started searching for him on You Tube. One of my struggles with the watercolour class was the initial sketch, and I recognised that my finished paintings would be better if I improved my skill in that area. I signed up for the free course and before I had even started it, I signed up for the beginner's course."

Before-and-after student sketch – Urban Sketch Course progress photo

Urban Sketch+ Membership

As a member of Urban Sketch+, Terry has benefited greatly from features such as sketching training, bonus workshops, and the 4-Week Sketching Experience. These resources have given him the tools to experiment, trust the process, and rescue sketches he once might have discarded.

Urban Sketch+ has had a profound impact on Terry’s creative confidence and mental health. The supportive community and expert guidance have helped him cope with past challenges and reignited her passion for art. Through this journey, Terry has rediscovered the joy of being creative, which he describes as his happiest state.

"Urban Sketch+ has given me the confidence to experiment with different things and to trust the process. When I first started, I would often want to tear up my sketch and start again (the downside to saying "It is only a piece of paper''). I have rescued many sketches and have benefited from advice given on sketch critiques as well as other helpful USC members on Facebook."

These sketches illustrate Terry’s growth as an artist, showcasing him journey from early works to more refined and confident creations.
Before sketch photo – Urban Sketch Course student progress
Terry's first sketch
Before-and-after student sketch – Urban Sketch Course progress photo
Terry's favourite sketch

"I am really happy I enrolled in this course. When I first joined, I thought it would be good to invest some time and money into learning something different. It has turned out so much more than that, and I now feel that the investment I made, was in ME. Learning alongside so many other like-minded souls in such a supported environment has been so good for me. It has helped me cope with my own mental health struggles as I continue to recover from what was a stressful working life. It has also reignited my passion for being creative, and being creative is where I am most happy. Thank you to Ian and the rest of the team at USC. Please continue with your great work."

Terry’s story highlights the transformative power of investing in oneself through art. He hopes his experience inspires others to explore their creativity and discover the joy and fulfillment that comes with it.

Start Sketching for Free

Inspired by Terry’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!

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Urban Sketch Course promotional image – online sketching course

About Urban Sketch Course

Our mission is to connect you with the world through the art of urban sketching
Ian Circle 2 – Urban Sketch Course

About the Artist

Ian Fennelly focuses on capturing urban spaces and environments by drawing the places where people have been without actually including them.

His process involves layering watercolors, brush pens, and liners to build depth, texture, and detail, allowing them to fully immerse in the scene while adapting to changes in their surroundings.

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Before-and-after student sketch – Urban Sketch Course progress photo
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Before-and-after student sketch – Urban Sketch Course progress photo
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