James Richards

Essential Techniques for Sketching the Energy of Places

James Richards

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  • In-depth Instruction; over 117 mins
  • On-demand video access anytime
  • Bonus downloadable PDF resources
  • Access to class Q&A
Meet James Richards and begin by exploring the ingredients that make a place perfect for sketching. From graphic elements to repetition and color to movement, learn to see a space with an artist's eye. Plus, learn to select a "stimulus-rich" environment, perfect for capturing energy.
Public spaces wouldn't exist without people. Learn some basic building blocks for drawing believable people and crowds. Learn proper proportions and understand how to create a sense of depth within a crowd using your eye level line, diminishing size and overlapping. Learn a quick shorthand for capturing people on the move.
Learn to draw large impressive buildings without getting overwhelmed by the architectural details. Follow along as Jim takes you through drawing Denver's Union Station by first breaking the building into basic shapes and then simplifying details into a visual texture.
The entourage is the supporting cast that brings visual energy to a scene. In this lesson, learn to draw trees and cars step by step. Then, look for elements that are unique to your city or space. Plus, learn how to position elements within your frame to better serve the drawing.
Color can really bring your sketches to life. In this lesson, you'll learn to make strategic decisions about where to add darks and colors. Use watercolor washes to create a vibrant look to your drawing. Then, refine the details with more opaque colors.
In this lesson, hit the streets and put it all together. Get over your fears about sketching in public as you join Jim on Denver's 16th Street Mall. Learn helpful hints and tools and get tips on determining where to start. Plus, get a step-by-step approach to bringing a lively city scene to life.
 
 
6 Lessons
1  hrs 57  mins

Simplify city scenes to create vibrant sketches with video lessons from Urban Sketchers correspondent and pro art instructor James Richards. Start with how to select your scene and draw believable crowds with proper proportions. Next, Jim will share his urban sketching tips for breaking down large buildings into basic shapes and textures. Ready to tackle placing and drawing trees, cars and other urban features with confidence? Let Jim be your guide. Then, bring your work to life as you discover how to illuminate your sketches with watercolor washes and use opaque colors to refine the details. Jim will even help you use a step-by-step process to avoid being overwhelmed by complex city scenes.

James Richards

As an artist, James Richards crosses many creative boundaries. His work has been shown in numerous exhibitions and he's a designer, an author and an Urban Sketchers correspondent. Jim's book Freehand Drawing and Discovery won a National Honor Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects. He also teaches urban design and drawing at the University of Texas at Arlington as well as in international workshops.

James Richards

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