pronounced "Kōsha”
I’m an artist and creative entrepreneur living in the Netherlands. I love drawing and I do it every day. On this website, I hope to inspire you to develop a drawing habit too, because it can make you feel good.
Photo by Rick Keus
Drawing the mundane might seem insignificant. But instead of trying to find a “meaningful” subject, spend your time drawing the things around you. By drawing these things, you are telling part of your very unique story. AND you’re doing something that makes you happy. That’s not insignificant at all!
Let's take urban sketching to a whole new level in this week's Draw Tip Tuesday!
Who says you need a truckload of gear to create awesome art? Come with me to the park with just a pen, water brush, and watercolor pencil.
If you ever attended one of my previous online Mini-Workshops, you know how fun it is to hang out, draw together, and learn from each other.
The March Mini-workshop was about drawing random stuff in frames, making it look like there was a plan all along! Even if there wasn’t.
In this Draw Tip Tuesday video, I share my essential art materials for traveling.
From pens and watercolors to pencils and clips, I'll guide you through what I pack in my sketch kit for creative adventures. Whether you're exploring new places or attending workshops, find out how to keep your travel gear minimal yet versatile.
Plus, I'll reveal handy tips for packing efficiently and staying organized on the go. I've got you covered to keep creating while traveling!
I promised myself not to purchase any new sketchbooks since I already have a stack gathering dust.
Some were gifts, others bought out of curiosity. A few have lingered for years due to their challenging format.
I know for a fact that this is quite relatable for many artists. We always find a reason to buy a new sketchbook!
Usually, I fill one sketchbook completely before moving on to the next one. I might have a side-project-sketchbook next to it, like a toned paper one, or currently a large accordion sketchbook in which I record all corners of my home.
The very oblong sketchbook I am currently working in, gives me quite the challenge.
Today I am drawing in my Hahnemühle grey toned sketchbook.
Stepping out of my comfort zone, I share how important it is to embrace new experiences to grow creatively.
Remember, it's just a drawing—so even if things don't go as planned, like you will see during the recorded process, there's no harm done. It might actually add to the liveliness of your drawing.
In this week's Draw Tip Tuesday video, I take you on a tour through one of my most recently filled sketchbooks, a Moleskine sketchbook.
I flip through its pages, sharing the stories behind each drawing and the techniques I experimented with. From café scenes to train rides, and even drawing bubble toes (yes, you read that right!), every page is a glimpse into my creative journey.
Oftentimes as an artist, you might find yourself not just what to draw (see my article on this from last week), but also when or where to draw.
Maybe you would like to draw in your sketchbook more often, but you are so busy that you don’t quite know how to implement the practice in your daily life.
Remember the joy of drawing as a kid? Crayons bring back that playful flow. Join me as I explore my favorite crayons: Neocolor from Caran d'Ache. Not sponsored, just love 'em! Neocolor I for water-resistant fun, Neocolor II for vibrant watercolor-like effects.
Check out how you can play with them for wonderful textures.
What you draw isn't as crucial as just getting started and enjoying the process. Our brains sometimes overthink, convincing us that every sketch needs to be profound or carry a profound message. But let's ditch that pressure. Just dive in before those pesky expectations creep in.
Today's Draw Tip Tuesday is a special treat! Join me and my friend Mike Lowery, a New York Times Bestselling Illustrator, in a unique Zoom call recording. Mike shares insights from his course "Getting Paid To Draw", a six-week masterclass on building a portfolio to attract clients. Don't miss out, sign up with my affiliate link: [Link]
Plus, dive into our drawing process! Watch as Mike and I create unique pieces from the same reference photos, offering 8 (!) drawing tips along the way. Grab your sketchbook and let's draw together!
I LOVE doing in-person workshops - that's why I have planned a whole bunch again throughout 2024.
I prefer to teach in Europe, since that's my home base.
This year, I will be teaching one more class in the U.S., but it's the last one for a while.
In today's video I will give you a peek into the project that I started in my accordion sketchbook, where I'm capturing "snapshots" of my home, page by page. I'll show you my process, the joys, and insights as I am drawing part of my kitchen.
Also included in today's YouTube video: two (!) sketchbook flipthroughs of previous projects! Watch the full video by following the link in my bio.
If you've started a similar project but lost momentum, remember: every stroke matters! Keep nurturing your creativity, building skills, and feeding your artistic spirit. Let's embrace the ongoing exploration together and keep those sketchbooks bursting with inspiration!
Today, treat yourself.
I love going for a walk, then order a good cup of coffee in a cafe, and: sketch. If you can create these little moments that are real treats for you, then you are allowing yourself to recharge, in a meditative and active way - then go on with the rest of your day. You will feel so much better and different!
It’s a challenge to capture people and their characteristics. To choose the right subject and capture them quickly while they pass by, or are in conversation. To make them part of your Urban sketches without being afraid you’ll mess up your drawing. Together, we can develop your creative courage and make capturing people in your sketchbook a fun and playful experience!
Today I'm showing you another sketchbook that I filled on vacation in December.
You'll see that I have been playing a lot with limited palettes. Sometimes just two colors is more than enough to capture the essence of a moment or a place. You don't need to be that literal.
Hopefully by watching this tour, you'll get some ideas about how to fill your travel sketchbook pages when you're on a trip.
Did you know that you can use non-soluble wax crayons for glistening water? Apply a bit of texture with crayon first, and then add watercolor on top.
The wax will resist the watercolor and it’ll create a wonderful effect of highlights.
My small-group art retreat “Drawing In The Wild” takes place in Germany, May 27-30, when fresh leaves are growing and things start blooming again. It still feels a long time away, but in case you're interested: start planning now. Just yesterday, I received a call from Robin, our host, that three of the most popular tickets opened up!
In today's video, I'm sharing memories from my December vacation through sketches in my travel sketchbook. It's a Hahnemühle Nostalgie sketchbook, size A6. It's compact and perfect for on-the-go creativity and urban sketching, but I also learned some valuable lessons about size limitations.
In today's video, I'm super excited because I'm meeting up with my friend Annemieke Rodenburg in Rotterdam.
Annemieke is an illustrator, and sketcher, but she's also a creative powerhouse and entrepreneur. Recently, she returned from an epic three-month motorcycle adventure in the stunning landscapes of Scotland.
We'll dive into her Scotland sketchbooks, and she's even going to pull a valuable tip from them, to share with us.
