During a walk through the nearby forest I stumbled upon the Leumolen, a beautiful old watermill quietly tucked into the landscape. Places like this are perfect subjects for urban sketching: a bit of history, interesting architecture, and the calm atmosphere of the surrounding nature.
The Leumolen has a long history in the region. The mill dates back many centuries and originally served as a water-powered grain mill, using the nearby stream to drive its wheel. Mills like this once played an important role in rural communities, where farmers brought their grain to be ground into flour. Today the Leumolen stands as a proud reminder of that earlier rural life in Leudal, still operating as a grain and oil mill.
As I was not walking alone, I gave myself 15 minutes to sketch. I sat down on location for the linework, capturing the character of the mill and its surroundings directly in my sketchbook. Drawing on location always forces me to look carefully — simplifying shapes, finding the main lines, and deciding what really matters in the scene. I made fast and strong lines with my 0.3 fineliner.
Back at home I added watercolor, using my own handmade paints. Instead of painting everything in one go, I built the colors up slowly in three separate layers, letting each layer dry completely before moving on.
Layer 1 — Color
The first wash establishes base colors. This stage is all about keeping things fresh and transparent while mapping out the main color areas.
Layer 2 — Light and shades
Once the first layer is dry, I started adding light and introducing gentle shadows. This is where the sketch begins to gain depth and atmosphere.
Layer 3 — Contrast
In the final layer I push the darker tones and contrasts. A few well-placed accents around windows, rooflines, and foliage help bring the sketch to life and guide the viewer’s eye through the scene.
Working in layers like this keeps the watercolor vibrant while still allowing me to build richness and contrast step by step.
I decided not to color the water wheel area, to give it the emphasis that it deserves. This way it does not get lost in the sketch.
And it all started with a beautiful walk through the forest on a Sunday afternoon — sketchbook in hand. ✏️🎨
