Hello, I’m Hyeongmi Ham

I create the background illustrations of animation movies and tv shows. I don't remember exactly how I got into urban sketching, but I think it was when I started looking and drawing photos I took on vacations. Since then, I have captured many small moments of my daily life, and my sketchbook is filled with precious memories.

Urban Sketching

Most people like to document their travels, usually in the form of a photo or a souvenir. Be different. Urban sketching is the perfect medium to capture breathtaking sights and emotions you feel in those special moments.

STEP 1. The Sketch

I’ll start by teaching you about the sketching process. Learn about 1,2, and 3-point perspective, and how to use it to sketch scenes. Just sketch the places where your feet reach, the things that catch your eyes. Each scene will come together, and it will be like a movie.

STEP 2. The Colors

Next you’ll learn how to fill in colors, one by one using watercolors. Learn about colors in creating value scales, and controlling the concentration of the paint. I’ll show you how colors can help you portray light and shadows, and create an illustration with all the small details.

STEP 3. The Background

Give your illustrations depth. Although drawing in perspective will help make your illustration look 3D, adding background colors and elements will make your urban sketches have depth. Learn how to use aerial perspective to add elements into your background.

STEP 4. The Composition

Composition can change the entire atmosphere of your illustrations. I’ll teach you how to place each element onto the page to create a balanced work of art that catches the eyes.

STEP 5. The People

Adding people can also bring a whole new look to your urban sketches. I’ll show you how to use simple shapes to sketch people, then use those shapes to draw figures in various poses. Then add people to your drawings to give them another interesting element and change the atmosphere.

Interior Sketches

Drawing an interior uses different techniques than your normal urban sketches. Even the ceiling, walls, and floor should be drawn differently. Learn how to use these new techniques to capture the warm interiors of cafes or hotels that you often encounter on your travels.

It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect

When I first started drawing, I worried about messing up and making mistakes so I couldn't draw properly. Because I spent so much time fixing mistakes and hesitating, it took a lot of time just to draw one illustration. I think many people struggle with the same thing. It took me a lot of time to overcome this fear, but the best way was to finish the drawing even if there are mistakes. After completing the illustration, small mistakes are not noticeable.

Sketching doesn't have to be perfectly refined. So draw freely. Capture the scenes that catch your eye.

5 Easy Steps to Creating Urban Sketches - From Beginner to Expert

5 Easy Steps to Creating Urban Sketches - From Beginner to Expert