My new class, Urban Sketching in Watercolor: From Reference Photo to Expressive Sketch grew out of a sketching process I personally return to again and again.

When I sketch on location, I love working with a clear structure, while still leaving room for freedom, bold color, and intuition. The combination of pencil, ink, and watercolor gives me exactly that balance. It helps me stay in control without becoming rigid, and expressive without losing clarity.

I created this class because I wanted to share how my sketching process actually looks when I’m working on location. Not a polished illustration, but the decisions I make along the way: how I simplify a scene, how I choose color, when I stop, and how I keep a sketch lively instead of overworked.

This approach has helped me sketch with more confidence and enjoyment over the years, and I hope it does the same for you. You don’t need to copy my style, the goal is to use this process to discover what feels natural and enjoyable for you.

Think of this class as an invitation to slow down, trust your choices, and experience how freeing it can be to sketch with intention, color, and movement.

I hope to see you sketching along with me.

Happy sketching!

Julia ❤️