In last week’s post, I promised that you would see another sketch. Well, I did keep my word, and here it is, taken from a photo I took of the Cologne Cathedral on my recent travels. If you have followed my site, you will know I love sketching clouds, and that is why this sky over the Cathedral appealed to me. Nothing I like better than a great mass of brooding cumulus to get me going with the pencils.

With this type of sketch I work on cold-pressed 300gm watercolour paper, as I use a little watercolour and water soluble pencils for the sketch. The paper is softly textured and this adds to the sketch, I think. To begin, I worked with a B pencil, to rough out the hills and town in relation to the sky and the river at the bottom. I sketched this in quickly. For the sky I used a Derwent Medium wash pencil to shape the clouds, making rapid movements before popping in shades of blue with aquarelle, and a little green for the trees and hills. Next comes the brushing of water (not too much) through the sketchy lines drawn, which drags the pigment across the paper. I also add a little Paynes grey watercolour in with this too. It is now time to let the paper dry.

More detail happens now and I shape the buildings with a little grey wash. When dry, I focus on the main event, the cathedral. I switch to a fine pen, and then add tones with the Derwent pencil. With the fine pen, I add squiggly lines to denote the bushes and just touch a light outline on a few buildings with pen. I add a bit more depth of tone to the river’s edge, and I’m done.

Next time, you’ll see a sketch or two from the life drawing sessions Ive been attending. I know there’s one at least I’ll show you. Promise.