NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED
Course Details
What if the only thing standing between you and a sketch you're proud of… was the first line?
Most beginners freeze at the blank page.
Not because they lack interest, but because deep down they think: “What if I can’t do this?”
This free sketching course, from leading urban sketcher and teacher Ian Fennelly, was designed for exactly that moment.
Best of all...
- You don’t need experience.
- You don’t need expensive supplies.
- And you certainly don’t need to be “good” at drawing.
You just need one quiet moment, a pen and a little guidance from someone who makes it feel possible.
The Lessons
Broken down into 3 stages, this free urban sketching course guides you step-by-step, while teaching you tricks, tips, and techniques you can apply today to start producing your own impressive urban sketches.
#1 Introduction to Urban Sketching
You'll discover...
- The rapidly growing world of Urban Sketching
- Revealing Ian Fennelly's unique sketching style
- The specific materials and pens to use
- Unveiling Ian Fennelly's step-by-step sketching process
#2 Mastering the Key Elements of Urban Sketching
You'll discover...
- [BonusColour] theory basics and the [BonusColour] wheel
- How to embrace your unique line
- Quick and easy line exercises that get you started
- Grasping perspective, quickly
- Simply ways to be inventive with your sketches
- How to compose your sketch
#3 Start Sketching
You'll discover...
- Ian's top tips for getting started quickly
- How to embrace mistakes like a pro
- How to build your confidence quickly
- Practical Sketching tips you can apply today
#4 Bonus Sketching & Wellbeing Webinar
Join Ian Fennelly and our Urban Sketch Plus members for an inspiring recorded webinar on sketching and wellbeing.
In this session, we explored how urban sketching can benefit mental health, encourage mindfulness, and foster a sense of connection—not just with our art, but with the world around us. Whether you’re looking to unwind, connect with others, or simply be more present, this webinar highlights the power of sketching as a tool for wellbeing.
About Your Instructor
Ian Fennelly has built an extraordinary reputation as one of the world’s finest urban sketchers and most sought-after teachers.
His distinct style of on-location art, engaging teaching methods and all-round creativity has earned him a passionate global following.
And now, for the first time, you can experience Ian's teachings with this free urban sketching course.
Our Reviews
Student Success Stories
How to Draw Signs and Lettering in Your Urban Sketches
Plain letters first, chunky letters second, and always check the spelling.
Read more
Why Your Landscape Sketches Look Flat (And The Fix)
Perspective does most of the work in a street and almost none of it in a field. Here is what Ian does instead, and the four ways he separates a foreground from a background.
Read more
Our 4 Week Urban Sketching Experience: What Riomaggiore Taught Us
The lessons that came back again and again from the hardest scene we have set.
Read more
Why Sketching the Same Scene Twice Teaches You More Than Moving On
Most sketchers move straight to a new subject. Here is what the second attempt gives you that the first cannot.
Read more
Is Sketching from Photos Still Urban Sketching?
Urban sketching is about what you notice, not where you sketch. A photograph takes some of that out, and you can put it back.
Read more
Why a Quick Sketch Has More Life
Why your quickest sketches often have the most life, and how to loosen up.
Read more
Inside Our Cheshire Villages Retreat
Five days, five villages and sketchers from around the world. Here is what we took from the Cheshire retreat.
Read more
How to Sketch an Animal That Won't Hold a Pose
Animals move, and for a lot of sketchers that is where the sketchbook closes. Here is how Ian catches the life of a subject that won't hold a pose.
Read more
How to Sketch a Bridge Without Getting Lost in the Cables
All that steel, stone and perspective can make a bridge feel impossible to draw. It isn't. Here's how Ian approaches any bridge, from a local footbridge to the Brooklyn Bridge.
Read more
When to Mix Watercolour on the Page vs in the Palette
Learn when to mix watercolour on the page for life and when to mix in the palette for control, with real examples from our urban sketching courses.
Read moreGet Your Free Course Today
Click the button below and you'll get FREE instant, lifetime access to this engaging urban sketching course delivered from our cutting-edge learning platform.
This is a rare opportunity to learn from one of the world’s best-loved urban sketchers, at no cost.
You can work through the course in your own time, from your phone, tablet, or computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this urban sketching course free?
This urban sketching course is free because we understand that not everybody is in a position to invest in our more in-depth training courses.
This free course is not designed to replace our range of extensive sketching courses, but it will give you plenty of valuable guidance and real-world insights into urban sketching.
This is ideal if you are new to urban sketching and want to find out a little more before investing any time and money into learning more.
However, please don't discount the value of this course just because it is free! This course has been professionally filmed and developed by an expert team and is delivered from our cutting-edge training platform. We're positive you'll be delighted with it!
What is the difference between this free urban sketching course and the paid courses you offer?
There are some notable differences between this free urban sketching course and our paid-for courses:
1. This is an introduction course to Urban Sketching. In our paid urban sketching courses, Ian goes into considerable depth when it comes to pen work; [BonusColour]; tone; how to choose the right [BonusColour]s, how to mix and apply water ratios and much more.
2. In our paid courses, typically more stages and more detail is involved and Ian works at a slightly slower pace.
3. This is a much shorter course than our paid-for courses, which typically include several workshops with many hours of training.
Even so, this free urban sketching course is packed with learnings, tips and techniques that will improve your skills and confidence. It's a rare chance to work alongside Ian Fennelly, who is regarded as one of the world's top urban sketchers and teachers.
Can I follow along with Ian while taking this course?
Yes. Although there's no image to sketch in this course, Ian has broken down all of the elements that are involved within his usual scenes.
In this introduction training, he takes you through each step in the process while explaining everything he is doing. Ian is an experienced and engaging teacher, so this is learning that you will thoroughly enjoy.
You can also slow down, pause, or speed up the tutorials to suit your own style of learning.
How long is this free urban sketching course?
What is included in this free urban sketching course?
When you sign up you'll get:
- A free urban sketching course.
- An introduction to line work.
- Colour theory basics and the colour wheel.
- How to be inventive with your sketches when using tone and brush pens.
- An introduction to detail and finding your style.
- How to understand the basics of perspective.
- The basics of composing your sketch.
- Lifetime access to the course and learning portal.
What else will I learn from this free course?
As well as the technical skills you'll gain (as described on this page); you'll also learn how to be inventive with your sketches while bringing elements of fun into them. You'll learn how to sketch more freely and how to make your pictures more visually interesting.
You'll also get a real-life taster of what it's like to sketch on-location and some of the challenges you may come up against. All of this while learning from Ian Fennelly, a master in the art of urban sketching.