Illustration + Nature Sketching
Are you as tired as I am from the digital noise and constant screen time that has crept into our lives? I’m taking some time off from that this summer. Ok maybe the title is a bit hyperbolic. I’m not prepared to stop using my phone or computer, but I’m limiting my interaction with screens …
In the last year, I’ve been struggling a lot with getting sketches down on paper. Often the sketches didn’t match what I wanted to express, or I found them lacking technique-wise. The latter problem, the technique, can be improved with a lot of deliberate practice. Draw (or paint) a lot of the things you want …
I want to look at one of the most useful pigments for landscape sketching today, and that’s Yellow Ochre and Raw Sienna. Wait, you’ll say, these are two pigments..and that’s right…or actually not entirely, since these are really similar pigments. I want to explore these two beautiful variants of the same pigment a bit more …
Recently I’ve explored sketching fire – a rare occasion. But the local easter fire tradition that signifies the end of winter and welcomes spring was a good way to explore that. Sketching fire is a lot like sketching water – a lot of times you just paint around it and add accents in the shadows. …
A common problem in landscape sketches is that they can end up looking flat, like there is no depth to them and it’s hard to see what’s in the foreground and what’s in the distance. This is because we need to consciously place cues for depth and volume on our two-dimensional paper to create the …
Sketching the delicate cherry tree blossoms in early spring is a highlight for me each year, it’s the sign that the landscape and the botanical world are coming to life again. I like exploring the delicate and soft blossoms in the sketchbook very much – the only thing I maybe like sketching even more are …
In the middle of all the landscape sketching I’m doing, it’s nice to change things once in a while and return to other subjects. Since spring is finally around the corner, I thought it’s a great time for some botanical sketching. I’ve chosen a pitcher plant, which feels a bit like cheating, since it’s further …
Today I wanted to share a very cool event that’s special to me and that’s happening soon: The Sketchbook Revival Challenge 2026.It’s taking place between Saturday, April 11 – Monday, April 21st, 2026, and I’m really looking forward to being part of it again! I met a lot of you during the past incarnations of …
Some of you have asked me what kind of brushes I prefer, so here’s an overview of the brushes I use most for my everyday sketching and especially landscape painting. Since I do not create huge paintings in my sketchbook, I mainly use smaller sizes, often mop brushes around 0-3, and classic round brushes up …
Today I have an idea for a pressure-free exercise for you to practice your color mixing and wet on wet skills with small color compositions. I like to create these small grids or stripes with artist tape (or washi tape), and explore a different color combination in each one. This helps me to learn how …
I’m excited to announce my new class “Loose & Luminous Watercolor: Create Atmospheric Mini Landscapes” is now published! In this playful class, we are going to explore how to create atmospheric mini landscapes in a loose watercolor technique, with a touch of detail added with colored pencil. Sunrise, fog and backlight create a unique mood …
When we think about landscape painting, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer variety of colors out there. Today I just want to share a little bit of “behind the scenes” fun that shows my different landscape sketching palettes, and I want to talk about how downsizing your selection of colors can actually lead …
Yellow is a useful part of any landscape painting palette, whether it’s as a pure, bright color or a more muted earth yellow. I personally like to have one from each group so that I can decide if I need a slightly more saturated or less intense yellow. For a very minimal palette of 3-5 …
Skies aren’t just blue. They constantly change colors over time and with weather conditions. Capturing that complexity in your landscape sketches can feel less daunting if you have a few go-to color combinations that can be used for a variety of atmospheric effects and moods, like sunrise, clouds, overcast weather, fog. Here are some of …
Hey everyone, you haven’t heard from me in quite a while. I hope you all have landed well in the new year. Thank you for your kind messages, I’ve read them all. A few personal notes about my absence first:My life has been on hold in the last two months. I’m very sorry I didn’t …