Urban Impressions with Ink and Watercolor with Michael Tan

Artist's Profile

Mike is a Design and Art educator with extensive experience in design and teaching, he has received numerous design awards in branding and identities, typography, packaging design, and print.
Mike has delivered courses in communication design at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He is also known for innovative teaching methods that prioritize practicality, industry relevance, and interactivity, resulting in consistently positive feedback from students.

Mike has also experience in teaching visual arts to adult learners and primary and secondary school levels.

He is also actively involved in SG Sketchers, a group dedicated to promoting and celebrating Singapore's beauty, culture, and heritage through sketching and painting.

Additionally, he enjoys engaging in his two other favourite hobbies: drawing and cycling.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Sketching serves as the foundation of my creative process. It allows me to capture fleeting moments, emotions, and ideas that later evolve into more complete compositions. Each sketch is a conversation with the world around me—a way to connect with the subtle details that often go unnoticed.

Instagram: @miketan7031

Workshop Flow

1. Understand Basic Sketching Techniques. Learn to sketch urban scenes using simple lines and shapes, focusing on capturing essential details.
2. Simplify Complex Elements.
Gain the ability to simplify figures, trees, cars, and other objects without losing their essence.
3. Understanding Composition and Perspective.
Develop skills in arranging elements within a scene and applying perspectives to create depth.
4. Hands-On Sketching Practice.
Practice guided sketching from photos using pen and ink, working on 2-3 sketches during the session.
5. Enhance Sketches with Watercolor.
Apply watercolour techniques to add colour and vibrancy to your pen and ink sketches.
By the end of the workshop, you'll be able to create dynamic urban sketches that effectively balance detail, composition, and colour.

Suggested Materials

1. Sketchbook: A sketchbook with smooth or mixed-media paper that can handle both ink and watercolour (size: A5)
2. Pens: Fountain pen (fine/medium nib), Fine liner pens(fine/medium)
3. Waterproof Ink: If you use a dip pen or prefer fountain pens, ensure the ink is waterproof for watercolour washes.
4. Watercolors: A small watercolour set with basic colours (recommended: primary colours, black, and brown) for adding washes to your sketches.
5. Watercolor Brushes: A few versatile brushes (sizes: small, medium, and large) or a water brush for portability.
6 Water Container: For cleaning brushes if you’re using traditional watercolours.
7 Paper Towels or Cloth: To blot brushes and control water application.

Host or Publisher Singapore Sketchers