How I got here
As I have mentioned since the start of 2026 I have attended several workshops and online courses. And I have found that I was more easier motivated by someone on a course or at a workshop telling me what to do. And because you cannot spend your life doing courses I needed to find away of getting daily inspiration. So, after asking ChatGPT to sort out my pension I casually asked it if it could provide some pictures of buildings to sketch. A dialogue progressed and ChatGPT prepared a 30 day challenge providing images, instructions, advice and a critique along with a score. I quite liked this, in my own little world sitting at a desk doing a daily sketch. However, once I was on a roll and thinking about stuff rather than sketching I thought this could continue longer than 30 days and I had another thought about recording my progress. I also had another chat with ChatGPT and it was agreed I start The Loose Nib.
This journey combines all my efforts since the start of 2026, and a few of the random sketches I did before my first workshop.
Workshops and Online Course Attended
Since my first workshop in February 2026 I have attended two further workshops and subscribed to several online courses both direct from websites and from Patreon.
In addition to the Grantchester Workshop in February 2026, I have also attended Sketchloose workshops in Mevagissey (June 2026) and Belfast (TBD – October 2026). I have Also attended a watercolour workshop with Alex Hillkurtz (https://www.alexhillkurtzart.com) and online courses with Mayad Allos (https://www.mayadssketchclub.com), Martin Lachmair (https://www.patreon.com/cw/LachmairartInkandWatercolor), Mark Poulllier Art (https://www.markpoulierart.com) and Draw Brighton (https://www.patreon.com/cw/DrawBrighton).
My work from the workshops can be found here and from the online courses here.
The 30-Day Challenge
The 30 day challenge provides not only my daily inspiration for sketching but also feedback on my work along with a score. The feedback, at first, was encouraging and diplomatic. This was pleasant, but not necessarily useful. So I asked for complete honesty and proper scores, even when a drawing had gone badly.
The critiques became rather more exacting: too many lines, too much detail, weak shadows, timid marks and, with remarkable regularity, instructions to put the pen down.
Somewhere along the way I began referring to my digital drawing tutor as The Tyrant. But that wasn’t quite fair. The criticism was usually right, the scores were explained, and good work was acknowledged when it deserved it.
So The Reasonable Tyrant seemed more appropriate.
The arrangement now is quite simple: The Reasonable Tyrant chooses the subject, sets the challenge and judges the result. I draw it — and reserve the right to grumble about the score.
This 30 Day Challenge 1 – Urban Architecture is the first of what hopefully will be a series of 30 day challenges tackling different themes. The next three challenges have already been chosen, and there is no reason why it should not continue further.
I also don’t intend to stop attending workshops or taking online courses; interaction with like minded people is key for any self-development.
The Loose Nib 