Meet The Author Of Sketching In The City
Sketching In The City is nearly upon us! With the release date just over 1 week away, we sat down with author Toby Haseler to discuss his approach to this unique book and how he was motivated to encourage new artists to develop their personal style.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hello! I’m Toby, husband to the lovely Tash and we also have a unique dog, Betty. Most of my time is spent running, sketching or editing videos (of me sketching!), I also love to cook and do some wood working. I like to stay busy, and often end up too busy as a result – for example, we renovated a ford transit over the past year and now have an awesome (I’m biased) home-made campervan. For down time… I’ll run, cook, or sketch… usually listening to an audiobook.
Tell us a bit about Sketching In The City?
I would describe this book as a friendly, varied guide that you can dip into whenever you need a spark. It’s not a strict how-to or follow-along, more something to flip through, pick up an idea, and just get sketching. If anyone reading this has been to an in person workshop with me, or done my online courses… it’s that same feel, in a book.
The literal act of sketching whilst in the city, is a whole other story. It’s fun, sometimes a bit uncomfortable, but always interesting. Sitting out in the middle of a busy place with a sketchbook is definitely a brave thing to do, but it builds your confidence and once you get into it, it’s incredibly freeing
What was the creative process like as you developed this book?
I learned a lot putting this book together. I started with ideas I thought I already knew, then went through loads of brainstorming, trial and error and success. I only wanted to include ideas that actually felt fun and useful, so the process ended up being me testing out a lot of things, and keeping the ones I enjoyed the most. I kept a giant mind map of everything I had done and how it might jigsaw together, even that felt like a creative pursuit.
What was your main point of inspiration in choosing the cityscape as your subject?
What I love about cities is how busy they are. There are overlapping shapes everywhere, tangles of details, and way too much detail to ever capture, so you’re forced to simplify. That’s where the fun comes in, because it means you can sketch in a really loose way, sometimes even with one continuous line, and still end up with something that feels alive.
What is your favourite project featured in the book?
That’s a tough one, because I tend to like the little things, and I only included projects I was really proud of. If I had to pick one favourite, it would be the collage of St Paul’s Cathedral, mostly because it surprised me how well it worked. But the project that probably sums me up best is the one-line skyline, which also happens to be the very first project in the book.
What was your route into art?
Like a lot of people, my route into art was a mix of hardship, serendipity, and chance. After university, I was having a tough time and realised I’d stopped doing anything creative. I signed up for an adult drawing class, loved it, and I’ve basically not stopped since. Funny thing is, I could just as easily have gone for a creative writing class, which was the other one I was considering.
Where do you look for inspiration?
I mostly find inspiration in the things around me. I’m drawn to places and objects that feel familiar or have some connection. That could be something as ordinary as my coffee cup, or something more personal like the barn where Tash and I got married. Holidays and travel help too, but it’s often the everyday things that spark the best ideas. I draw my dog an awful lot, and most of the streets of my town have been sketched a few times.
What is the most challenging thing about being an artist?
There’s always another project, another idea, another thing I could be working on, and it’s easy to let that passion turn into burnout. If that happens I can end up feeling flat and uninspired, and it’s so much easier to be self-judgmental in that headspace - which is the exact opposite of what art should be
What makes up for the challenges?
I love being busy! And the ability to always have something new to work on is really exciting! Endless possibility.
What do you think the “Next Big Thing” in art will be?
You’re probably asking the wrong person, I’m in it for art’s sake, and because it’s good (I think) for our own wellbeing, and because I love hearing people tell me how picking up a sketchbook changed their life. If I was allowed a wish, maybe the next big thing won’t be a style or a trend, but more people picking up a sketchbook or doing their own creative thing for the joy of it.
Who (dead or alive) would you invite to the perfect art retreat?
Picking a famous artist .. Ralph Steadman .. I’d love to see him in action and understand more about his creative process. But I’d definitely have to bring Colin Woodward, my artistic partner in crime. We’ve had so many adventures sketching together already, it wouldn’t feel right without him
What advice would you give to your beginner self?
I’d tell myself not to second guess my style. Just sketch, try things, and let it develop naturally. The more you draw, the more it takes shape on its own, and you don’t need to force it or chase after someone else’s way of doing things.
In one word, how would you describe this book?
Friendly.
Kickstart your own artistic journey today by pre-ordering Sketching In The City at the link here!
