Sketching with acrylic markers while traveling is one of the most flexible and satisfying ways to capture nature. You do not need perfect weather, complex tools, or a studio setup. This sketch I made from one of my photos during travel. The beauty of this process is that it allows you to build confidence layer by layer while keeping the drawing loose and expressive. Follow these five steps to see how a landscape grows naturally.
If the weather conditions outside are not so great it’s still worth to sketch indoors! All about this in my recent post.
See my marker set here.
Light Sketch
Start with a very light sketch that defines the main structure of the scene. Focus only on the big shapes: the tree trunk, the curve of the trail, and the overall flow of the landscape. Avoid details at this stage and let the lines stay loose and imperfect. This step sets the rhythm of the sketch and removes the fear of the blank page. A light sketch also makes it easier to adjust proportions later without stress.
Background and Foreground
In this second step, I focused on coloring the background while giving more attention to the foreground tree. I filled the distant hills with calm, flat tones to set the atmosphere and establish depth early. At the same time, I strengthened the tree in the foreground so it would clearly stand closer to the viewer. A few confident black marker lines helped define the trunk and branches without overloading the sketch. This stage is about contrast and clarity, letting the main elements stand out while the rest stays simple and supportive.
Middle Ground
In the third step, I focused on building the middle ground to connect the background with the foreground. I filled this area with a richer green to push the landscape forward and give the scene more depth. This is also the moment when I added the figure of the girl on the trail, which instantly brought scale and emotion into the sketch. A small human figure helps the viewer understand distance and feel present inside the scene. At this stage, everything starts to feel more alive and intentional, even without heavy detail.
Adding Greenery Details
In the fourth step, I focused on enriching the landscape with detailed greenery and bushes. Using layered strokes, I added lighter and darker greens to suggest depth, texture, and movement in the foliage. This is the moment when the sketch starts to feel immersive and organic, as if you could step right into the scene. I kept the marks loose and rhythmic, allowing the acrylic markers to create natural patterns on their own. These small details help unify all areas of the sketch without overwhelming the composition.
Path, Rocks, and River
In the final step, I completed the sketch by adding the path, rocks, and a small river. These elements guide the viewer’s eye through the composition and give the landscape a clear sense of direction and movement. I used warmer tones for the path and rocks to contrast with the cool greens, helping them stand out naturally. The river was painted with confident, flowing strokes to suggest motion without overworking it. This step ties the entire sketch together and turns the scene into a complete visual story.
This five-step acrylic markers process proves that landscape sketching does not need to be complicated. By building from light structure to bold details, you gain control while staying creative. Acrylic markers are ideal for travel because they are portable, vibrant, and forgiving. If you want to sketch more trails like this, a small set of quality markers can make a huge difference. Keep practicing, trust the process, and let each sketch become part of your travel story.
