Urban Sketching Workshop - Mastering the MUTED Palette

Welcome to another immersive urban sketching workshop! In this video, we’ll take a deep dive into the subtle power of muted colour palettes and how to master them in your watercolour sketches. Whether you're looking to refine your painting technique or explore the artistic beauty of atmospheric tones, this session is packed with practical insights, colour-mixing tips, and live commentary.

We begin with establishing the direction of light—a key part of creating strong contrast and believable form. Even though the reference image has flat lighting, I’ve chosen to creatively introduce shadows from the top left, adding depth and drama to the sketch. I also demonstrate how to create dynamic skies with a radial gradient effect, using a custom-mixed “Payne’s Gray” composed of French Ultramarine and Van Dyke Brown.

Throughout the demo, you’ll hear about my preferences for starting with the sky, the importance of pre-swatching your colours, and how I use controlled colour mixing on paper to achieve naturalistic, weathered tones that suit a British winter landscape.

We go beyond standard watercolour techniques—this isn’t about the typical soft and delicate washes. I talk candidly about why I avoid overly “nice” watercolours and how muted tones can still be expressive, bold, and full of character.

Using the Daniel Smith palette, I explore the balance of warm and cool hues, introducing subtle pops with Quinacridone Gold, Undersea Green, and Potter’s Pink to build layers of interest. Every decision—from the materials to the brushwork—is explained in detail, making this a perfect tutorial for intermediate to advanced watercolour artists looking to level up their tonal control.

🎥 Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction & Light Direction
00:17 - Creating Depth with Shadow Placement
00:40 - Custom-Mixing a Muted Sky Colour
01:03 - Why I Start with the Sky
01:24 - Colour Swatching & Mixing Insights
01:46 - Choosing and Using the Right Blues
02:06 - Layering the Sky with a Mop Brush
02:30 - My Take on Traditional Watercolours
03:02 - Balancing Delicacy and Impact
03:24 - Using a Sketchbook You Love
03:43 - Muted Tree Tones & Colour Harmony
04:05 - Creating Naturalistic Greens
04:29 - Mixing on Paper for Organic Effects
04:51 - Layering Shadows Without Overworking
05:10 - Building Your Base Washes
05:34 - Intentional White Space & Composition
05:54 - Adding Texture with Moldy Stone Effects
06:14 - Developing Wall and Roof Details
06:34 - Stonework & Payne’s Gray Variants
06:56 - Dotting for Subtle Contrast
07:14 - A Softer, More Thoughtful Approach
07:38 - Using Quinacridone Gold for Warmth
08:02 - The Importance of Variation in Shadows
08:24 - Capturing Realism in Brick Details
09:08 - Softening & Refining After Drying
09:47 - Using Potter’s Pink for Tree Detail
10:21 - Why Purple Trees Make Sense
10:46 - Lintels & Realistic Stone Shading
11:11 - A Fiddly Sketch Worth the Effort
11:34 - One Brush to Rule Them All?
11:50 - Adding Architectural Detail
12:11 - Slowing Down for Stronger Results
12:54 - Creating Foliage Textures
13:21 - Stylizing Ground with Intent
13:45 - Final Rounds of Variation & Warmth
14:09 - Fixing Compositional Distractions
14:52 - Final Shadow Mix: Going Bold
15:20 - Deep Contrast for Finishing Touches
16:03 - Committing to Strong Shadow Decisions

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoyed this workshop. Let me know below if you prefer a muted palette or bold, vivid hues in your own sketches!

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