There’s a reason why the loose, relaxed style that Toby teaches is so popular and why the concept of urban sketching has taken off around the world and that’s because we don’t need more stress in our lives with more rules and more “perfectionism”. I didn’t pick up a paintbrush until I was 65 and even after a stroke I could continue to learn and get a thrill from Toby’s tutoring. Thank you Toby and please don’t change your approach - you have truly enriched my life!
I respect artists who can create a photo-like replication of the world...but the art that moves my soul is always artists who create something new from the world around them. As you said, art is your reproduction of how you not only see, but feel, the world. I love your art style. Don't ever change.
I have a tendency to get stuck in details so I envy you who can create such wonderful textures with just a few strokes. Don’t ever change your style, it is such an inspiration and motivates me (and many others, I am sure) to be more minimalistic. 🖋️✍🏻
I'm gobsmacked that anyone would critisize your art. Art is subjective and personal. I love your art and think you are a wonderful teacher. If someone doesn't care for your less representational style let them go elsewhere!
Criticism is fine, if it's an opinion - sometimes the issue is where people start stating 'that is wrong' or 'that is bad' as a fact rather than understanding their way isn't the only way.
Omg. I have watched exactly 25 seconds of your video so far. I just had to pause it in order to tell you how AMAZING your editing is. You keep the viewer watching because of your scene changes. And the importance of these changes. Well done. I am also an editor, so I know how much time you spent on this. And you did it perfectly. I hope you are proud. Because you should be. And now I will watch the rest of the video 😂
According to one website, about 500 standard bricks are needed to build a 10ft x 10ft wall. The front of a two-story house is larger than that. So either we decide our brick buildings use very large non-standard bricks, or we give up the notion of drawing every brick, and instead draw the effect of brick.
I’m new at this and struggled a long time whether I should try realistic or more loose style. Realistic became so intense it was not enjoyable. The looser style enabled me to make my representation of what I saw. If the viewer can get an idea of what they are looking at and can see the feeling, energy and the nuances you have created then surely this is inspiring both to them and you. realistic is great as you can respect the dedication the artist has put in, and the technical prowess of his/ her creation but also I might as well look at a photograph. Art to me is how it makes you feel, what pleasure you derive from it, what pleasure you see others get from it. We all have choice over styles and colours, if we didn’t we would all be driving black Fords!! Keep up the good work. You’re my inspiration in this and have inspired me so much to continue.
It’s about the style you personally like. I love your loose technique, it made me confident to start sketching. I occasionally do a drawing with a lot of detail (depends on my mood). My art is about what I like to do, no style is ‘wrong’ it’s just a different style
Your work is stunning. If some people prefer a different style that's their prerogative, but that is all that it is - a different style. Too much detail does not suit your work, too little may not suit an observational piece. Keep doing your thing - it's very inspirational.🇦🇺
I fully support the idea of sparse texture - a few bricks/shingles etc. here and there. My current art instructor totally agrees. Love your stuff Toby. You have helped me to loosen my style and to sketch in a freer way. Cheers to you. Gary J.
I absolutely love doing loads of detail, but since finding this looser style, I've found I love the contrast, and have found much joy in letting go of control. At the end of the day art is completely subjective, and at the end of the day, it's all about what gives you the most joy in that moment. If it's something you don't resonate with, then choose to look at something else. Each to their own. Free will etc
I follow you because I love the way you work, and I love your art, and I love the fact that you have helped me so much to loosen up and let go of the idea of photorealism - which is never in a million years going to be my style. We can all be art critics, as long as it doesn't get personal and as long as we don't maintain that we are in some way 'right' and the other artist is 'wrong'. There is no wrong in art, because there are no rules. Only guidelines. ;)
Your tutorials intrigue and inspire me. I long to "see" subjects in a loose way, appreciating reality but not copying it...making my marks in a pleasing (to me) way. That's what I enjoy so much from your teaching. You have helped me to loosen up and have fun while still producing something I can be proud of!
I think the reason I’m drawn to you is the imagination style (loose) you use. It’s helpful not to try to fill in every last detail and be perfect because I am a beginner. I believe every way is the correct way as long as you enjoy what you are doing.
to me, sketch size indeed sort of dictates amount of detail: i too don't like ink-heavy feel. i want to say, i admire how you take the nasty comments that are not constructive in any way, and do make them into a constructive experience - great attitude. for me, actually i am thankful for your loose style for bringing me back to sketching again! after several years of constraint rules of art school, i quit sketching for several years, but thanks to finding your art, i've been inspired! loose sketching doesn't mean 'inconsiderate sketching'. and you are proving it time after time - thanks!
My favourite brick work is the right side of the house with the many more time consuming bricks. Love when the watercolours are added to complete. In 1988, I did learn to draw very perfect& precise ink lines and then also water colour perfectly in between the lines. BUT, I have books that teach how to do “your “ method and I will begin again to incorporate these techniques! I do love the look of these “ loose” lines! Thanks for a great video! 👏🏻👏🏻🧑🏻🦰🇨🇦
I like the idea of being realistic in my art but don’t have a snowball in hells chance of achieving it. This is why I watch, practice and enjoy your videos Toby, because I am enabled to draw and paint something recognisable and relatively stress free. The suggestion of areas of texture as opposed to brick by brick sounds good
Thanks for addressing this issue. As you know, I am becoming more connected to the wobbly and “suggestion” technique as opposed to trying for realism. More satisfying at this point in my life. As I have moved along, watching both you and Colin, I have given myself permission to sketch loose. Not just with lines or continuous lines, but with watercolor as well. Now I try to think of urban sketching/painting as “staining” rather than painting. TY Frances
I’ve always heard that art is what you make it to be and not following a strict set of standards. I’ve also been told it’s good to think outside the box. I like your style and hope to one day I can get myself to get the hang of sketching that way instead of drawing every detail. That’s what drawing is.
Centuries ago there were no cameras so artists were the photographers. Making exact representations, (mostly portraits or some cathedral) of things was for posterity or commissions to pay bills. However, none of their best works were exact representations of anything, imho. Straight lines , exact colors … boooring … unless you’re an architect. It’s the artistic mind vs the mechanical mind. The artistic mind wants to get in the feeling (what can & can’t be seen) of the scene, while the mechanical mind wants to get in what can only be seen (exact details). I sketch & paint to have fun documenting something … not to be stressed out.😊 You keep doing what you’re doing, it’s great!
I love all of the ideas. I feel like there are certain ideas that go with certain sketches. Larger bricks or more detailed bricks. It depends on the size of the building. Giving the suggestion of bricks can work too. I embrace it all. Thank you for sharing. It was interesting.
I really enjoy your looser approach to sketching. It brings another dimension to a scene. I think it changes what could be ‘ho hum’ into interesting. So keep up your style Toby. Your ink and watercolour sketches are still my favourites.
I've done photography for over 50 years and while I've appreciated the exactness of photos, I am now drawn to the interpretation of what I've taken pictures of. I'm trying to learn the "Toby Loose" methods so that I can "revisit" the many places I've been and taken photos with simple sketches and quick water colorings. Thanks Toby!
As I have always said, if you want a realistic painting take a bloody picture.. There are exceptions of course. I have always painted in a loose style because I find it more interesting. Keep up your work Toby. Best to you from across the pond on a very steamy Sunday here in Massachusetts.
As a landscape designer, we suggest textures rather than complete a facade because all the texture overwhelms the landscape, which is ultimately the star of the image. On the other hand if I were an architect and wanted to convey the materials and finishes of a building, then I’d probably use a lot of realistic textures in an image. Art on the other hand is very subjective in telling a story, so if the textures are key to the story, by all means, show it. If not, suggest the detail. But one could abstract everything in the image and throw out all the textures and even defined forms. It’s personal choice. And on if you or anyone else says something to question one’s artistic notions, it’s probably a good thing.
Toby, your work is great, you are entitled to your opinion, and also your drawing / painting style, and I love both. Don't change! Finding your videos on RU-vid has inspired me to pick up my pens and paints again after many years. Thank you very much for that! Keep sketching loose! 👍🏻🎨🙂👌
I think that the point that people might be missing is that simplification helps to better translate the object to the sketch, and as Toby says, if you start simple then you have the flexibility to add things later on. For me, I prefer suggesting things rather than to replicate them. I think thats the added value one can give to the drawing
All three have their place. I find the last as my favorite and the hardest to do. I have used the first, depending on the building. I have not done the middle one, but will definitely add it to my arsenal. Looking forward to playing with it. Found this video helpful and will save it for practice.
We are unique beings and the way we create our art y fully personal, thats the joy of it. You share your vision, your unique way tnat is beautiful, you put yourself out there and share for others to pick what we may want to explore, strech our bounderies, pick up something new we never thought of doing...So I, personallly don´t see controversy, I see different points of view and to me growth is about incusion and choice. its awsome. I have learned and keep lerning a lot from you to integrate in the way I do my art. THANKS
I absolutely love your style. I'm so happy I found you. You are an inspiration I aspire to be like. Loose and free of rules! I just started my watercolor journey a few years ago and was looking for someone like you. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Toby! I like the ways you showed different options for people. Thank you for that. I did sketch a long a little bit. I am a newer sketcher, and really appreciate your style. Thank you for your graciousness in how you teach and talk about things.
Love this terrace …doing all the styles them makes it a perfect piece of art ..a.and will keep everyone happy…going to play with these techniques today…thank you Toby as always for your inspiration 😁
Wonderful video. It was a great look at the wonderful possibilities of art. Clearly, there is no RIGHT answer. The comparison exercise really showed ALL the options have their place I’ve been painting for 3-4 months and am enjoying learning HOW to sketch and paint. I also am loving the fact that I am developing MY STYLE. It has little bits of this along with some of that run through a filter that makes me happy and satisfied. Thanks for another great video. I love these longer instructional videos. This was an awesome way to deal with a snarky comment!!
Keep up the good work ! Your approach and method, even though it will not suit everyone, is very interesting and your guidance one of the clearest out there !! Thanks a lot ... keep it coming ! You are an inspiration 👍😊
I love your loose style of sketching, Toby. Though I do find it difficult to silence my inner critic, Mr Perfection. Thank you for this comparison check. I agree with what you say and some of the commentators before me. Sketching, as far as I've researched, is loose drawing. Originally done by artists prior to creating a major work. The major work taking many months and, in many cases, many canvasses, sheets of paper or whatever media, along with all the other art materials necessary. Sketches were studies that gave the artist different views of the same subject to better acquaint them thoroughly before beginning the serious work. In many cases, where sketches have been discovered that were drawn/painted by the 'masters', they have sold at auction for as much, and sometimes more, than the known masterpiece. So sketching is an art form in it's own right, and was never meant to be 'perfect'. This is my understanding after watching many critiques and art shows both on TV and here on RU-vid. So keep it loose. In a couple hundred years time your work will be selling for millions, maybe even billions? Who knows?
I love the looser style and so appreciate your channel. I want to sketch for the joy it gives me and when I attempt to reproduce something in great detail I find it stressful.
Enjoyed learning the different kinds of textures. I prefer the loose abstract style. For me its easier and more enjoyable. Keep doing what you are doing. I've learned alot.
The question should not be which is best but which do you like most. I tend to be a perfectionist, so I need to force myself to sketch loose and less perfect. But, I like all three…
I like all 3 but the looser and less detailed the better for me. I think it depends on what your trying to get across and what your mood is. I don't feel that it's controversial but I'm not a traditionalist or a purist in any part of my life. I'd say carry on Toby.
I like your willingness to affirm all methods and accept comments. Your heart is huge. I am still jealous of the quaint buildings you have to draw. I am in SoCal where the buildings are all post-war, featureless, and samey. Also, it's too hot to sit outside and sketch them (right now anyway). I'm going on a trip to the Midwest. Maybe I can sketch a few barns and grain silos. Goody.
Of the three? I love them all. There was still something of Toby about them. The last sketch was i agree ...the best, but art is art and sketching is sketching and surely is the 'art' of capturing something quickly...but it is 'captured' . I admire the photo perfect artist immensely but i watch 3 sketchers on RU-vid and you all capture a feeling and an atmosphere even though your styles are so different. ( Oh, and that picture behind you of 3 phone boxes always catches my eye...any chance of a close up)
I have not read ALL 78 comments (lol!), so my apologies if this has been mentioned before. I find that what dictates texture and detail in my sketches is the scale of the sketch. If you see a church from far, far away, although you might know it is made of red bricks (for example), from a certain distance you cannot tell (unless you know the church) the material of the exterior. In that case, it will look strange to represent bricks when you cannot see the bricks' contour. If it was rock, perhaps you could see some contours even from the distance. I have fallen victim to try to represent "too much" texture and I end up with a "heavy" sketch....and adding color makes it worse! When I end up with an over-textured sketch (cannot take it back!), I often leave it unpainted, and only add some darks with a brush pen and dark grey ink - maybe a simplified sky too. "How much texture to add in ink" is a struggle for me because too much and now you cannot paint it, and too little makes you want to add more after you painted it, but adding more texture OVER watercolor often blows up the scale of the texture as the ink tends to spread out - i mean , adding an extra-fine line on a painted paper becomes a medium or broad line! I like all 3 versions of your house texture too, but if I could only pick ONE, I would go with the middle one - it is the most pleasing to my eyes! Thank you for taking the time to make this video (and all others!) - it is very informative and makes me THINK and analyze my sketches!
Thank you Toby. I love watching your videos! We all need to develop & enjoy our own style. There isn't a right or wrong - it's all subjective. We don't all like the same things but we can appreciate the differences. btw how is the Cotswld workshop coming along ?
Hi Michelle! The Cotswold workshop is fully booked, and final plans being made next weekend :) We're looking, as ever, at getting some more dates of course!
Things "speak" to us in a multitude of ways, don't they? We aren't all the same so some prefer a "copy" of what's in front, others prefer a looser style. I think that Toby's the LAST person to dictate what we should or shouldn't do. What he is doing is give suggestions, the rest is up to us.
Black coffee or with cream? Maybe some sugar? Vanilla or strawberry ice cream? Sandals with socks or bare feet? It is life and we all do life different. There is no right or wrong unless we are breaking a law, especially in art and how we express what we see. Thank you for this video and your explanations. I am getting looser by the day!
Is Simon Blackbird only on Instagram & not utube as I can’t find him there! Also can’t find Kim Jeoung? I really. Liked the last sketch. And, I seem to remember doing a house wall with all the bricks & it was tedious. Thanks for the examples.
Ps. My original style was more the horizontal lines with a ruler...i feel that i dont want to do that any more. I am best at every individual brick, but strive to be able to know what to ignore and have the effect i want with just a hint. I can do it with cooking!!!! But not yet my paint brush 😊
What waterproof ink do you use in your foundation pen? I don’t use mine every time with the cartridge waterproof ink and it gets gummed up quickly. I have another pen with non waterproof ink that runs freely even though I only use it infrequently. Great video, thank you for sharing.
I find the more im engaged with art the more I connect , this is why b&w photography is so striking because are minds fill in the colour , try make sense of what’s missing become engaged. So for me it’s the “loose bricks” style a couple here and there leaves me and my mind filling the gaps which draws me into the image and Im engaged and connected :)
There’s a reason why the loose, relaxed style that Toby teaches is so popular and why the concept of urban sketching has taken off around the world and that’s because we don’t need more stress in our lives with more rules and more “perfectionism”. I didn’t pick up a paintbrush until I was 65 and even after a stroke I could continue to learn and get a thrill from Toby’s tutoring. Thank you Toby and please don’t change your approach - you have truly enriched my life!
I love your style and have learnt so much from you. I aim to get a feeling from my art, which evokes memories of the place I'm painting. To me, the detail isn't important, how it makes me feel is.
