Introducing Sketches.n.Scrubs

July 22, 2022

We sit down with Sketches.n.Scrubs to discuss their journey with art, the products they enjoy and the community that they are a part of.

Introducing Sketches.n.scrubs

Seven Different Strokes

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a mixed media artist and a junior doctor in the NHS! I recently started an Art Youtube channel called Sketches.n.Scrubs where I make weekly art tutorials, paint alongs, reviews, hauls and vlogs. It has been an incredible way to meet amazing, skilled artists as well as build a community and share my art journey.

I also love creating guides to complement my videos and help other artists! I've recently expanded my art community to Ko-Fi, where I release art guides, art challenges, artist meetups, memberships and more: https://ko-fi.com/sketchesnscrubs

My peony guide is currently my most popular guide and available for free via: https://ko-fi.com/sketchesnscrubs

My Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SketchesnScrubs

Hello from me: https://youtu.be/HGXrvm3k30U

Seven Different Strokes

Where did your love for art come from?

I have always loved art, from drawing cartoons for my friends as a child to creating youtube videos to share art as an adult. I think I’m just creatively inclined - I have enjoyed various creative pursuits, from teaching myself instruments to knitting to drawing. Some say medicine is both an art and a science - perhaps that is why I was drawn to it too.

Seven Different Strokes

How long have you been doing art for?

I am self taught. I used to draw a lot as a child, but stopped once I went to university to focus on medicine. 2020 was a challenging period. I was transferred to A&E to support the frontline and like many, I was living alone. Art brought a welcome distraction and allowed me to bring some positivity to even the heaviest of days. So, I turned back to my much needed love of art and started painting during the pandemic in 2020. I then started a secret instagram account, and eventually a Youtube channel - aiming to spread the same light and positivity creating art brings me. I haven’t put the brush down since!

Seven Different Strokes

What are your preferred mediums?

My preferred mediums are watercolour, gouache and fineliners. That being said, I like to experiment with lots of different mediums and brands as they all have such unique properties.

Do you have a favourite piece that you have created?

I love many pieces, I couldn’t possibly pick just one. There are some pieces like my watercolour florals that I love because of how relaxing they are to create, some fineliner illustrations that I hold dear because of the intricate details that are pleasing to the eyes, some urban sketches that remind me of a specific place in a specific moment of time. I would encourage everyone to find something that you love about all your art, if not the final piece then the creation of it or the lessons you learnt or the memory it brings back!

My current active sketchbooks: https://youtu.be/yF0D7mYV1hA

What inspires your work?

I paint through intuition and with little to no planning. A lot of my work is heavily inspired by nature and my surroundings - whether it be a local cafe (which prompted my Cafes series on Youtube), a rose I walk past or a place I’d like to be in. It is one of the reasons I love urban sketching and plein air painting. I recently returned from Venice and the influence of that trip is quite evident in my most recent pieces.

My Youtube videos are also a form of self-expression; they are inspired by my art, my viewers and my journey. I have an endless list of videos I want to share. I highlight things that inspire me (supplies & subjects), I share things I wish I had known when I started and ultimately things that I think will inspire, encourage and enrich those watching.

Urban sketching: https://youtu.be/IYs2IhIng8Y

I couldn’t do any of it without the support of my family, from their patience of listening to me talk through ideas, to videoing, to family paint nights, to endless encouragement - their support keeps me inspired to keep creating.

Painting outdoors: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL32BH60miDjLtzcCLGGxF_cprpCqApbVb

Urban sketching: https://youtu.be/IYs2IhIng8Y

Venice Views: My pictures and painting of Venice: https://ko-fi.com/s/3395c70b8b

Seven Different Strokes

What advice would you give to those looking to get into art but are unsure where to start?

First and foremost, art should be fun, don’t lose sight of that. Learn the basics when you start off (such as colour theory, composition etc.), only so that you can make conscious decisions about your art - you don’t have to rigidly stick to any rules. Experiment a lot and don’t compare yourself to others.

With regards to art supplies - I created a video with even more tips!

How to travel with art supplies: https://youtu.be/IaPEI-sy2bI

Watercolour starter kit: https://youtu.be/KwYjXKSXtxc

What advice would you give to those looking to get into art but are unsure where to start?

I have different essentials for different occasions and I created a few videos highlighting them! They all contain (watercolour or gouache) paints in a portable palette, a watercolour sketchbook, a travel brush, a mechanical pencil, a fineliner and a white posca pen.

A lesson I learnt the hard way is that it is better to have a few colours of good quality paint, than many colours of poor quality paint. It is perfectly achievable to have great supplies for an affordable price, and that is what is essential to me.

Thank you so much for reading and feel free to get in touch with any art or Youtube questions!

My most used supplies: https://youtu.be/uwGwBqO7agk

Watercolour starter kit: https://youtu.be/KwYjXKSXtxc