Loose Style Sketching - Why I'm Drawn to It

What is loose style sketching?

At first glance, loose style sketching may look like a jumbled mess of lines.  Jiggedy-jaggedy and wonky lines that look as though they were drawn after being overly caffeinated from downing one to much of a cuppa.  Speaking of which, I could use a refill. How does hazelnut coffee sound?

These wonky sketchy lines are simply brilliant!  They can tell endless stories in endless ways.  For me loose style architectural sketching is a way of quickly capturing the space, time, and feeling of a location or building. 

Unlike a technical set of architectural blueprints, this drawing technique is NOT about precision - perfectly straight lines.  It is NOT about creating a precise and realistic drawing of a portrait or landscape scene.  Loose style sketching is EXPRESSIVE !

This style is about being loose, freeing, and having imperfect lines on a piece of paper.   And yes, it is a style!  It is a creative style that lets YOU express who YOU are & your inner self.  A style that you, and only you can truly own.  Make it yours!!!

Learn About My Favorite Sketching Tools

Loose style sketching is about letting your soul drip out through the ink in your pen and ingraining a special moment in the sketchbook of your mind. 

 Yes, it can also be a wonderful physical sketchbook that you can put on your shelf to cherish later. But it can also be a sketchbook of memories inside your mind that you can tap into upon demand to re-imagine, re-experience, and re-invigorate.

What are some benefits of loose style sketching?

CONNECTION

Growing up (and even today), I found it hard to express my feelings to friends and family. I was quiet, shy, totally introverted.  I had an accident that left me alone at playtime in elementary school.  While my friends were outside playing, I was hanging out in the nurse's office - bored - until I started drawing.  I would show my friends what I was doing while they were playing kickball. I connected to them by sharing drawings (mostly of imaginary cars).   

Sketches are a way of putting my voice onto paper.  The castle ink & wash sketch below is from a card that I created for the princess of my dreams on our first anniversary.  The "Follow Your Heart" sketch is a reminder for me to stay on path and connect to my soul's purpose of creativity through art. 

CAPTURING TIME

Sketching is a way to capture a moment in time. A moment of location, emotion, and Being.  I find that when I sketch, there is something magical that happens between the hand-eye-brain connection.  The sketches below are from places I have traveled to.  Places I can revisit anytime by looking through my sketchbooks. 

In the end, for me, sketching and painting are about EMBRACING and EXPERIENCING the process of creating - and not just the final result - that brings joy to the moment. And the simple act of putting pen onto paper and creating loose style sketches is one way that I am able to capture the feelings of time, place, and emotions.  

I will be forever drawn to sketching.  Yes.  Pun...absolutely intended!  :)

Peace & Live a Creatively!  -Jason

Do you want to learn how to create loose style architectural sketches?

Join me for my next Loose Style Sketching Architecture Workshop.

The sessions will be held in a private Facebook Group.

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