Doodlewash and watercolor urban sketch of Teatro Municipal by César Rodríguez
Featured Artists

GUEST ARTIST: “Let Watercolor Be Itself!” by César Rodríguez

Written by Charlie O'Shields

I’m César Rodríguez and I was born in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, but moved to Brazil to work in a consulting firm. So as you might be thinking, what’s my link with watercolor and sketching? Well, it just happened!

Doodlewash and watercolor urban sketch of gardening tools by César Rodríguez

I always liked to sketch since I was a kid and I even thought becoming an architect or any other career where I could sketch & design all the time. I ended up taking a different path, quite a different kind of design: software design!

Doodlewash and watercolor urban sketch of streetcar trolley in Lisbon, Portugal by César Rodríguez


After a couple of years without sketching at all, I found the work of Wendy Macnaughton, a graphic journalist, and Marc Taro Holmes, an Urban Sketcher (also a Guest Doodlewasher). I got immediately connected with the freedom of sketching everyday things without the pressure of trying to do a great piece of art. Just Sketching. Just letting watercolor be itself. While sitting in a park. While passing by an interesting street. Capturing through sketches your visual memories of things. And that was the starting point.

Doodlewash and watercolor sketch of Buildings in Salamanca Spain by César Rodríguez

Today, I carry a sketchbook all the time, documenting interesting images throughout my day. It’s not only my favorite relaxing technique, but also it turns out to be an incredible “tool” to remember specific details about places and things. This is specially great while traveling. Sketching places actually makes you develop a better sense of your memories, remembering tiny details (that you sketched!) that are very difficult to retain otherwise!

Doodlewash and watercolor urban sketch of a statue in the park by César Rodríguez

I use different kinds of sketchbooks, from watercolor Moleskines, mixed media (Canson XL) and homemade sketchbooks (just buying sheets of watercolor paper and adapting them to the size I need). I usually do small sketches, around 8×8. I have 2 favorite brushes: an Escoda travel brush and a Winsor & Newton pure squirrel brush. Currently trying Van Gogh watercolors, combining ink lines and color, although I’m trying to do the transition of painting directly with watercolor, but still practicing. 

Doodlewash and watercolor urban sketch of Eiffel Tower in Paris by César Rodríguez

I found Marc’s Craftsy courses and they are a great way for learn basic techniques, specially for sketching people in motion which is, for me, the most challenging part of urban sketching. But the best lesson that I can tell you is: just sketch. Everyday. No matter what. try new things, and just keep your brushes moving!

Enjoy!

César Rodríguez
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Charlie O'Shields

Creator of Doodlewash, founder of World Watercolor Month (July), World Watercolor Group, and host of the Sketching Stuff Podcast. Sharing watercolor illustrations and stories while proudly featuring talented artists from all over the world!

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34 thoughts on “GUEST ARTIST: “Let Watercolor Be Itself!” by César Rodríguez”

  6. Wonderful work Cesar and very well said “Let the watercolors be itself” I agree! Your urban sketches are beautiful I love that you leave the watercolors loose! Thank you Charlie for another great Feature! 😉

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