Several years ago, I wandered the cobbled streets of Sibiu, Romania — but that was before I started sketching. With no photos left from that trip, I decided to go on a virtual return, exploring Sibiu through references I gathered on Pinterest. I used this as an opportunity to experiment with mixed media: watercolor, pastel, liners, brush pens, colored pencils, and even acrylic markers. Five sketches came out of this journey, each capturing a different corner of the town — each rendered with its own material language.
A few weeks ago I was experimenting with Ecoline watercolors. My final conclusions with pros and cons you can see in my recent post.
Materials I used
White Nights watercolor, Pastel Neocolor 2, Pentel brush pens and Windsor and Newton colored pencils.
Bridge of Lies
I started with one of Sibiu’s most iconic spots — the Bridge of Lies. This iron pedestrian bridge is soaked in legend: locals say if you tell a lie while standing on it, the bridge will creak or even collapse. I laid down watercolor washes for the rooftops and walkway, then detailed the structure with a brush pen. I particularly enjoyed working the deep blue pencil shadows underneath the bridge, which brought depth and contrast to the piece.
The House with “Eyes”
Sibiu’s rooftops famously “watch” you — many of the old houses have narrow dormer windows that resemble sleepy eyelids. These were originally designed for ventilation, but over time they became the city’s silent observers. I worked in layers for this piece: starting with bold watercolor shapes, adding accents with pastels, and finishing the fine lines and shadows with a brush pen and a touch of white Posca marker. The eyes on the rooftop came out so expressive they almost feel alive.
City Streets – Upper Town
The winding alleyways of the Upper Town are perfect for moody, atmospheric sketches. I built the texture of the old walls with brown pastel and softened the road with a pale watercolor wash. For shadows, I used a purple pencil to break away from realism and give a subtle surreal glow. A few silhouetted figures in brush pen completed the scene, adding life to the passage.
View of the Cathedral from the Stairway
The view of the Evangelical Cathedral of Saint Mary rising above the stairway passage is one of Sibiu’s most striking perspectives. I loved the bright palette I achieved here — layers of colored pencils allowed me to play with hues and textures while keeping the lines soft and vibrant. The spire’s cool shades balance the warmth of the surrounding walls. This piece really captures the sunny, optimistic spirit of Sibiu.
Nicolae Bălcescu Street
For the grand finale, I chose the bustling Nicolae Bălcescu Street — Sibiu’s main pedestrian thoroughfare. I began with a soft layer of water-soluble pastels, activating them just enough to create tone and texture. Then I carved out the architecture and figures using brush pens. The domed roof, elegant facades, and autumnal tree created a lovely contrast of structure and softness — I let the brush lines stay loose and spontaneous to keep the energy of the street alive.
This virtual sketching session reminded me how travel memories can be reignited through art — even years later, without a photo in sight. Revisiting Sibiu through mixed media was both an artistic challenge and a nostalgic joy. Each material brought out something different in the architecture and atmosphere of the town. I can’t wait to apply this approach to other past travels I’ve yet to sketch — and maybe even return to Sibiu with a real sketchbook in hand next time.
