Line and Wash in the Urban Landscape by Neil Whitehead

Line and Wash in the Urban Landscape by Neil Whitehead is the perfect guide for artists looking to learn how to capture urban environments in a loose, rhythmic style. Whether you’re a complete beginner looking to learn some drawing skills outdoors, or a more experienced urban sketcher looking to loosen up your style - this book will encourage you to look at this technique in new and exciting ways.

Through his expert instruction, Neil Whitehead will demonstrate how to capture the energy and architecture of the places you love using an expressive line and wash technique. This title is packed with inspirational paintings, plein air demonstrations and practical exercises to help you loosen up and let go. Neil covers everything from the very basics, to more advanced techniques. He’ll introduce all the materials you’ll need to get started, including advice on choosing a location - plus invaluable guidance on understanding composition and perspective. You’ll learn how to sketch fast and simplify scenes so you can capture character and work freely. Neil also emphasises the importance of prioritising rhythm over perfection and demonstrates how to use colour to create drama, depth and energy.

128 page paperback. 204mm x 260mm.

LOOK INSIDE

• Introduction

• Sketching tools and materials

• Sketching with rhythm

• Exercise: Pure contour

• The watercolour wash

• Exercise: Working with watercolour

• Working outdoors or in?

• Out & about 1: Getting started and loosening up

• Simplifying the detail

• Exercise: Continuous line sketch

• Out & about 2: In the heart of the city

• Measurement and scale

• Exercise: Measuring the scene

• Out & about 3: Measurement in practice

• Composition

• Exercise: Composing your scene

• Out & about 4: Extending the technique

• Negative space

• Out & about 5: Sketching an iconic landmark

• Making the sky come alive

• Out & about 6: Sketching a complex scene

• Going further

Neil Whitehead is an award-winning urban landscape artist, from Taunton, Somerset, UK. He is inspired by the architecture in the towns and cities around us, and his fast and fluid style using ink and watercolour is well-known for its speed, rhythm, expressive lines and bold colour.

Neil’s line and wash artworks and larger acrylic pieces are on walls and exhibitions globally, and he regularly contributes to the Urban Sketchers initiative of ‘on location’ sketching. Neil was appointed as a Featured Artist by Derwent in 2022, and is now a Brand Ambassador.

See more from Neil on Instagram @ennkaydraw