CORE SKILLS COURSE
Loosen up, trust your pen, and develop a real sketching habit
My signature ink sketching techniques in depth – from textures and hatching, to inky washes, continuous lines and how to use varied lines most effectively.
£85
⭐ 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Over 6:30 hours of pre-recorded video lessons · Examples and guides in every lesson · Feedback direct from Toby
Art from the course
Through the course’s five workshops, we tackle multiple scenes per workshop – more than 20 in total. Here is just a small example of the variety of techniques and scenes that we’ll encounter.
In this course we tackle a range of scenes, with a strong focus on landscapes (urban and rural). But utilising still life scenes, and scenes around us at home as well.
Course preview
Workshop 4 – ‘Using composition for economy of line’
Watch the full free preview lesson here
1 · Let’s get to know your pens · 15:09
2 · Fountain pen care and recommendations · 14:22
3 · Accuracy and measuring techniques · 15:54
4 · From shapes to purpose · 16:13
5 · Developing your grip · 17:21
🎯 Challenge One · 15:59
💬 How did you find that workshop?
8 · Understanding value and tone · 15:01
9 · Planes and depth · 20:03
10 · Developing your hatching style · 23:01
11 · Understanding hatching and textures · 32:16
🎯 Challenge Two · 18:14
💬 How did you find that workshop?
15 · Continuous lines, a starter · 10:04
16 · Key continuous line concepts · 8:44
17 · Continuous lines tips and tricks · 18:01
18 · Revisiting our scene · 13:00
19 · Soluble ink and simple lines · 5:36
🎯 Challenge Three · 15:41
💬 How was that workshop?
22 · Economy of line and finding focus · 16:59
23 · How to vary your lines · 9:24
24 · Using composition for economy of line · 10:06
🎯 Challenge Four · 13:11
💬 Wrapping up the workshop
27 · Selective sketching and drawing only · 15:19
28 · Looking up to find new perspectives · 19:53
29 · Radical simplicity and experimentation · 7:31
🎯 30 · Challenge – Sketching in reverse · 15:23
31 · Mini review · 2:12
32 · Sharing, creating and continuing · 3:12
What You’ll Need
You don’t need much to get started, ink sketching is one of the most affordable art forms there is. Here’s what I recommend, and why.
A simple cartridge or sketching paper is all you need, nothing fancy. I use a Seawhite of Brighton ‘Chunky’ sketchbook with 150gsm paper. A5 or larger works well. Avoid watercolour paper for now; it’s not necessary for this course.
Fine liners are the most accessible option, a range from 0.1mm to 0.8mm gives you real versatility. A fountain pen with an ink converter also works beautifully. Note: biro-type pens behave very differently to ink pens and aren’t recommended for this course. However, in the early lessons I’ll invite you to bring all your pens and see what works best for you.
My go-to is Platinum Carbon Black, it’s waterproof, consistent, and a pleasure to use. Waterproof ink is important if you plan to add washes over your sketches. It’s also worth knowing that not all ‘black’ inks are equal, carbon-based inks tend to be the most reliable. For more on which inks are SAFE for fountain pens check out the supplies link below.
This course works without pencil underdrawing. That’s intentional, committing directly in ink teaches you to trust your eye and your hand in a way that pencil sketching doesn’t. It feels scary at first. That’s the point.
A few spare sheets of tracing paper are useful in a couple of lessons (alternatives are discussed at the time). Beyond that, keep it simple… the fewer excuses to not start, the better.
Review spotlight
What people are saying…
Fernando P.P.
“I´ve learn lots of things! To simplify, to abstract, and less is more many times. And I love continuous lines.
I enjoyed this course a lot. Thanks. To teach is always a matter of generosity”
David V
“Another top course. My two takeaways from this course, of the modules completed, are the tonal work you can achieve with a pen and a brush and, how to simplify an image that can convey a story without all the detail.
I also like the way we are not always using urban examples and the encouragement to just sketch. “
Rosemary O
“It has been such a pleasure to work through these workshops and it has given me confidence to tackle subjects I would normally shy away from.
I have, however, learned so much more than that! A great course.”
Watch this video for an introduction to the course:
Who is this course for?
“If you’ve always wanted to sketch with speed, confidence, and expressive flair, without getting bogged down in rigid rules. Then you’re in the right place.”
‘Sketching with Ink’ is everything that defines my unique sketching style. From how I hold the pen, to how we add textures and tones. And, of course, a full workshop on loosening up with continuous lines. If you’ve ever wanted to understand more about loose ink sketching THIS is the course for you.
⭐ 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
If you buy the course and it’s not right for you, email me within 14 days and I’ll refund you in full. No questions asked.
CORE SKILLS COURSE
Loosen up, trust your pen, and develop a real sketching habit.
£85.00Got questions? Check the FAQs “>”
Or contact me directly at toby@sketchloose.co.uk