USk Workshop – Confident Urban Sketching with Watercolor and Ink

About the workshop:

Build confidence in urban sketching with pen and watercolor, focusing on fast and loose lines, clear color choices, and trusting your instincts. You’ll learn practical techniques to work faster, hesitate less, and further develop your own sketching style.

In his workshop Ruud guides you with easy-to-apply tips and techniques to help you take your urban sketches to the next level. You’ll learn how to look more consciously at composition and how to use color, contrast, and focus to strengthen your sketches, while gaining more confidence with watercolor and ink.
Over the 2 days, the workshop will be divided into 5 parts:

Session 1: Introduction & Learning Framework
Session 2: Observations and Thumbnail Studies
Session 3: Building Blocks and Line Sketching
Session 4: Color Application and Experimentation
Session 5: Contrast, Focus and Highlights.

The workshop takes place in a friendly group of like-minded sketchers, with plenty of time to sketch yourself and receive personal tips tailored to your own way of working. You’ll receive a mini palette with Ruud’s handmade watercolor paints to keep, and discover how a more fluent sketching style can make the process more enjoyable. After the workshop, you’ll return home recharged, with fresh inspiration, beautiful sketches, lasting memories, and a renewed creative boost.

Learning Goals

● Confidence building: Participants will increase their confidence in urban sketching by applying pen and watercolor techniques that encourage faster decision-making and reduced hesitation during the sketching process.
● Expression: Participants will learn to use expressive, fluent linework to translate observations into clear and dynamic urban sketches.
● Color and contrast: Participants will strengthen their use of color by consciously applying color harmony, contrast, and color mixing techniques to improve visual clarity and impact.
● Composition: Participants will develop compositional awareness by learning to analyze urban scenes and make intentional choices in framing, simplification, and emphasis.
● Personal style awareness: Participants will further develop their individual artistic style through guided practice, reflection, and personalized feedback.

Timetable
12 hours of instruction: Saturday September 12 and Sunday September 13, 10:00–17:00 (with a one-hour lunch break; lunch not included)

Workshop Fee
Per participant: NOK 3200
Participants can book through the booking website of Urban Sketchers Oslo via https://event.checkin.no/217532/-confident-urban-sketching-with-watercolor-and-ink-ruud-otten-workshop-in-oslo-by-usk-oslo

Please find the following cancellation policy provided:

Free Cancellation: Cancellations made before August 12 are free of charge.
After August 12: The participation fee will not be refunded unless the vacated course spot is filled by another participant.

The workshop will be cancelled unless we have 10 participants signing up by August 12.

Note: The ticketing fee charged by Checkin is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.

Language
The workshop will be held in English

Suggested Materials:
● Mini palette with handmade watercolor paints (will be provided by instructor)
To bring by participants:
● Watercolor brushes / Waterbrushes ● Watercontainer (if not using waterbrushes) ● Fineliners and/or fountain pens (with permanent ink) ● White gel pen or thin white Posca pen or white gouache in tube ● Sketchbook or watercolor paper (preferably with cotton paper) ● Pencil ● Eraser ● Foldable chair or stool ● Water
Optional: ● Snacks ● Beverage / drinking water