Using TWO COLOURS for super simple Urban Sketching - Take the PRESSURE off !!
Doug's Sketching School
14,813 views
🎨 Using TWO COLOURS for Super Simple Urban Sketching – Take the PRESSURE off! 🖌️
Welcome back! In this video, we dive into a beautifully simple and stress-free approach to urban sketching—using just TWO watercolour pigments. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned sketcher, this method is designed to remove the pressure and bring back the fun.
Instead of worrying about which colours to choose or how to match every tiny detail, this video will show you how limiting your palette can actually boost your creativity and sharpen your eye for tone and value. You’ll learn how to make your sketches pop with minimal colour, and discover how even the most ordinary street scenes (like beer barrels behind a pub!) can turn into engaging, emotional artwork.
💡 This relaxed tutorial focuses on creating structure with pencil, adding expressive linework with fine liners, and then applying a limited palette wash using just French Ultramarine and Rosehip Red. It’s perfect for those days when you want to sketch but don’t want to overthink it.
We also talk through:
The power of simplification
How to make shadows and contrast work in your favour
Embracing imperfection
Letting go of accuracy for artistic character
How subtle colour pops can guide the eye and add depth
🎨 Watercolours used: Deep Deep Light paints
🧠 PLUS: A calming message about mental wellness through creativity, and how even a short 30-minute sketch session can provide a pocket of peace in uncertain times.
📌 CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro: Why Less Is More
00:18 – Why Just 2 Colours? The Value of Value
00:40 – Simplifying with Monochrome Sketching
01:18 – Behind the Pub: A Sketching Memory
01:55 – Starting the Pencil Sketch (Structure, Not Detail)
02:34 – Getting Proportions and Layout Right
03:01 – Observational Drawing Without Overthinking Perspective
03:35 – Pen Time! Chunky Lines for Bold Character
04:16 – Playing with Line Variation and Style
05:08 – Bringing Foreground Elements Forward
05:55 – Loose Barrel Sketching & Texture in Flags
06:20 – Playing With Perspective & Not Stressing Accuracy
07:02 – Why Sketching Isn’t About Getting It “Right”
07:27 – Painting: Creating a Moody Monochrome Mix
08:00 – Shadows, Contrast & Form Without Colour Overload
08:42 – Mop Brush Work: Texture in Stone & Lantern
09:45 – Adding Subtle Pops of Rosehip Red
10:24 – Blue & Red Accents on Barrels for Eye Flow
10:49 – About Deep Deep Light Paints (Watercolour Brand)
11:17 – Final Thoughts: Let Simplicity Shine
11:34 – The Power of Pop Colour in a Greyscale World
11:57 – Sketching as Calm in a Chaotic World
12:53 – Signing Off with Love ❤️
🖼️ Want to go deeper?
📍Join me on Patreon for full-length tutorials, personal feedback, and an amazing supportive sketching community:
👉 [Link in bio]
🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss out on future tutorials!
#UrbanSketching #WatercolourSketching #TwoColourPalette #SketchWithMe #ArtForCalm #MinimalPalette #DeepLightPaints #BeginnerWatercolour #UrbanArt #SketchbookTour
Exclusive content, longer videos, more sketchbook fun, more support and no ads! Find me on Patreon: Patreon: DougJacksonArtLessons YouTube -
@dougjacksonart
My Shop - https://dougjacksonartwork.com/origin... My Website - https://dougjacksonartwork.com/index....
About my Materials - https://dougjacksonartwork.com/materi...
Instagram - Instagram: doug_jackson_artwork
TikTok - tiktok.com/@doug_jackson_artwork
20 Comments
I have recently started to try urban sketching. It feels awesome and you my friend make it look easier! Huge thank you for what you do even though you don't like social media. I relate to that totally. And the reasons you fo it... oh man...
You have a rare character!!!
I will just say:Thank you!!!
Using TWO COLOURS for super simple Urban Sketching - Take the PRESSURE off !!
Doug's Sketching School
14,813 views
🎨 Using TWO COLOURS for Super Simple Urban Sketching – Take the PRESSURE off! 🖌️
Welcome back! In this video, we dive into a beautifully simple and stress-free approach to urban sketching—using just TWO watercolour pigments. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned sketcher, this method is designed to remove the pressure and bring back the fun.
Instead of worrying about which colours to choose or how to match every tiny detail, this video will show you how limiting your palette can actually boost your creativity and sharpen your eye for tone and value. You’ll learn how to make your sketches pop with minimal colour, and discover how even the most ordinary street scenes (like beer barrels behind a pub!) can turn into engaging, emotional artwork.
💡 This relaxed tutorial focuses on creating structure with pencil, adding expressive linework with fine liners, and then applying a limited palette wash using just French Ultramarine and Rosehip Red. It’s perfect for those days when you want to sketch but don’t want to overthink it.
We also talk through:
The power of simplification
How to make shadows and contrast work in your favour
Embracing imperfection
Letting go of accuracy for artistic character
How subtle colour pops can guide the eye and add depth
🎨 Watercolours used: Deep Deep Light paints
🧠 PLUS: A calming message about mental wellness through creativity, and how even a short 30-minute sketch session can provide a pocket of peace in uncertain times.
📌 CHAPTERS
00:00 – Intro: Why Less Is More
00:18 – Why Just 2 Colours? The Value of Value
00:40 – Simplifying with Monochrome Sketching
01:18 – Behind the Pub: A Sketching Memory
01:55 – Starting the Pencil Sketch (Structure, Not Detail)
02:34 – Getting Proportions and Layout Right
03:01 – Observational Drawing Without Overthinking Perspective
03:35 – Pen Time! Chunky Lines for Bold Character
04:16 – Playing with Line Variation and Style
05:08 – Bringing Foreground Elements Forward
05:55 – Loose Barrel Sketching & Texture in Flags
06:20 – Playing With Perspective & Not Stressing Accuracy
07:02 – Why Sketching Isn’t About Getting It “Right”
07:27 – Painting: Creating a Moody Monochrome Mix
08:00 – Shadows, Contrast & Form Without Colour Overload
08:42 – Mop Brush Work: Texture in Stone & Lantern
09:45 – Adding Subtle Pops of Rosehip Red
10:24 – Blue & Red Accents on Barrels for Eye Flow
10:49 – About Deep Deep Light Paints (Watercolour Brand)
11:17 – Final Thoughts: Let Simplicity Shine
11:34 – The Power of Pop Colour in a Greyscale World
11:57 – Sketching as Calm in a Chaotic World
12:53 – Signing Off with Love ❤️
🖼️ Want to go deeper?
📍Join me on Patreon for full-length tutorials, personal feedback, and an amazing supportive sketching community:
👉 [Link in bio]
🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you don’t miss out on future tutorials!
#UrbanSketching #WatercolourSketching #TwoColourPalette #SketchWithMe #ArtForCalm #MinimalPalette #DeepLightPaints #BeginnerWatercolour #UrbanArt #SketchbookTour
Exclusive content, longer videos, more sketchbook fun, more support and no ads! Find me on Patreon: Patreon: DougJacksonArtLessons YouTube -
@dougjacksonart
My Shop - https://dougjacksonartwork.com/origin... My Website - https://dougjacksonartwork.com/index....
About my Materials - https://dougjacksonartwork.com/materi...
Instagram - Instagram: doug_jackson_artwork
TikTok - tiktok.com/@doug_jackson_artwork