Architectural Sketching with Watercolor and Ink
A course by Alex HillkurtzStoryboard Artist
A course by Alex Hillkurtz, Storyboard Artist
Combine loose ink sketching with watercolor to create beautiful buildings that leap off the page
Architectural sketching is a wonderful way to truly experience a place, discovering new details in each glance. Renowned storyboard artist Alex Hillkurtz finds a sense of fulfillment in discovering the hidden corners of the city that sketching allows. You can find some of his storyboarding work in films like Argo, Almost Famous, and It's Complicated, among many others.
In this course, Alex will show you his approach to capturing the depth and feeling of a place using watercolor and ink and translating that onto your page, because it’s one thing to depict a scene accurately and another entirely to portray the character and mood of a place. Learn to sketch and use watercolors to infuse your paintings with new life.
What will you learn in this online course?
20 lessons & 17 downloads
What we will do on the course
2 minutes, 28 seconds
Presentation of Materials
4 minutes, 20 seconds
The Basics of Perspective
18 minutes, 28 seconds
Creating Dynamic Compositions
9 minutes, 31 seconds
Where are the Vanishing Points?
4 minutes, 4 seconds
Finding the Horizon Line
7 minutes, 53 seconds
What's included in this course?
This course starts with an overview of how Alex has been influenced by his past experiences and you'll take a look at a collection of artists who have influenced his traditional approach to painting. He also shares additional resources, images, and links to books.
In the next unit, Alex presents all the materials you need for architectural sketching with watercolor, as well as tips on where to find the best art supplies. He also gives lessons on linear perspective and composition, so you have a solid foundation moving forward.
Learn the foundational techniques you need for a lifetime of successful watercolor sketching. Start slow with washes of color, then move on to mixing colors. These may seem like basic techniques, but when combined they give you everything you need to create beautiful paintings.
Next, apply all you’ve learned about composition, perspective, and color mixing to create a painting of a beautiful Parisian building. Alex explains how to capture light and shadows to create a stunning architectural watercolor piece.
Finally, Alex shares some final thoughts on finding your own voice, as well as tips on how to care for and preserve your watercolor paintings.
What is this course's project?
You will create a finished painting using watercolor and pen, which depicts a beautiful building leaping off the page with light and shadow.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for watercolor artists, urban sketchers, professional illustrators, and anyone who would like to improve their architectural sketching and watercolor techniques.
Requirements and materials
Alex guides you through everything you need to know, so no previous experience with watercolor sketching is needed. He also provides some reference images and invites you to use your own images as well.
As for materials, you need a sketchbook, pencils, three different watercolor brushes (one round, one flat, and one mop), an ink pen or a fountain pen with waterproof ink, paint, and a few other painting basics that Alex reviews in detail throughout the course.
Reviews
- 11 days ago
Nice course for beginners. If you need to understand the process of this kind of painting this is a good example. The most challenging parts would be in my opinion, sketching and finding a way that makes sense to you and understanding lights and shadows, all of this probably will make sense over time and with a lot of practice but is always good to see the process of an artist to understand things. I would recommend. This course is what I was looking for.
- 1 month ago
excellent! very clear understandable explanation. the host was very enjoyable to watch and listen to.
- 2 months ago
Excelente!
- 3 months ago
Such a great course and enjoyable host. And a refreshing, different style. I definitely recommend this course!
- 3 months ago
Excellent, c'est exactement ce dont j'avais besoin pour m'améliorer. J'ai apprécié le fait qu'Alex revienne pour apporter des réponses aux questions, cela prouve son implication.
He uses the language of cinema to compose his images, moving beyond what one sees and depicting what he wants others to see. He believes that in our overly crowded lives, sketching and painting invites us to move at a more deliberate pace, giving us a true sense of place, where unexpected stories are revealed.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Introduction
- Influences
- What we will do on the course
- U2
Preparation
- Presentation of Materials
- The Basics of Perspective
- Creating Dynamic Compositions
- Where are the Vanishing Points?
- Finding the Horizon Line
- U3
Production
- Creating Textures with Color Washes
- Color Mixes
- Choosing the right view/picture
- Creating a Thumbnail Sketch
- U4
Putting it All Together
- The Pencil Sketch
- Sketching with Fountain Pen and Ink
- Watercolor! The First Wash
- Watercolor! Shadows and Details 1
- Watercolor! Shadows and Details 2
- Watercolor! Shadows and Details 3
- U5
Variations of Style and Presentation
- Style and Finding your Voice
- Work presentation
- FP
Final project
- Architectural drawing with watercolor and ink
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational skills in sketching, perspective, and watercolor painting for architectural subjects.
You will need a sketchbook, mechanical pencil, fountain pen (with cartridge converter), watercolor paints (such as Daniel Smith), watercolor brushes, masking tape, watercolor paper, and a cutting mat with ruler and knife.
You will learn how to sketch buildings, apply watercolor techniques, use perspective, create dynamic compositions, and build a portfolio of architectural storyboards.
Start by observing the scene, lightly sketch the main shapes using perspective guidelines, and gradually add details. Use a mechanical pencil or fountain pen for initial lines before adding watercolor.
Yes, the course teaches techniques for moving from illustration to watercolor, including how to add color washes, mix colors, and use ink and watercolor together.
Use synthetic or natural hair brushes for washes and details, and choose 100% cotton watercolor paper or watercolor blocks for optimal results and minimal warping.
Learn to observe light direction, use tonal washes, layer colors for shadows, and apply glazing techniques to create depth and highlight architectural forms.