Meet the instructors: Mike Daikubara — USk Van Sketch Weekend 2025

The second instructor we introduce is Mike Daikubara, who will be leading the workshop titled Color First Ink Later Workshop!

Mike is an artist, author, designer and educator based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sketching daily since 2000, he’s passionate about sharing his love for sketching. He has authored 10 Urban Sketching books, including Sketch NOW Think Later, and COLOR first INK later. He has taught hundreds of students locally and internationally.　He currently serves as Vice President for Urban Sketchers.

In his workshop, he will be teaching the "COLOR First, INK Later" approach, which helps make it easier to sketch a complex scene. Instead of starting with line work, broad watercolor washes are applied first using a mop brush, freeing you from controlling every detail. Once dry, ink adds structure and focus, followed by additional colors and highlights to complete the sketch. Using minimal tools in a short time, this method creates vibrant, dynamic, and fun sketches—turning an intimidating process into an enjoyable experience.

In USk Van Sketch Weekend, you can learn from Mike how to make a lively sketch while drawing fast and keeping minimal!

Supplies you should bring

Sketchbook with paper that can take a good amount of water. Mike's Favorite: Stillman & Birn Beta series
Waterproof ballpoint pen or felt tip pen. Recommended: Sakura Pigma 01 (or any other waterproof thin-lined pen). Mike will be using the Uniball Signo 0.38 pen.
Mop brush that can hold lots of water. Recommended: Davinci #2 Mop brush or Rosemary & Co Mop brush
Small water container or jar. Recommended: Nalgene container
Water brush. Recommended: A Pentel medium tip brush
Watercolor kit. Any watercolor kit that you currently use is great. If you do not have one and are looking for an introductory watercolor kit, Sakura makes great kits. Recommended: Sakura Koi intro kit
3 Grey markers. Recommended: Sakura Tombo N75, N65, N55 markers
2 White gel pens. Recommended: Posco White (PC-1M) and Sakura Gelly Roll (08)
Portable stool Optional
Water (For drinking and for color usage) Optional
Light snack (power bar, nuts, fruits etc) Optional
A Hat / Sun screen Optional

Mike Daikubara
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Website

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#USkVan Sketch Weekend 2025
Granville Island
April 5 (Sat) - April 6 (Sun)

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