Todd Cumpston

Playing in the Shadows – Enhancing Depth and Drama with Shade and Tone

Sketch artist Todd Cumpston records his daily life in an attempt to capture the shapes and moments that can easily get lost in our busy world.  Working with fountain pen, brush pen, and watercolor, Todd’s loose yet simple lines and bright colors capture forms quickly but accurately. His commissioned works focus on classic cars and urban buildings.

Todd’s work has been shown in exhibitions such as the “One Sketch At A Time” show at the Center For The Arts at the Candy Factory, P-Art-Ners “Best of the Region” shows, and the yearly Paint! Manassas group shows.  Participation in plein air competitions has garnered Todd awards including a Judge’s Choice Award in Paint! Manassas, and 2nd Place Amateur in Staunton, VA.

A lifelong resident of Northern Virginia, Todd was born in Washington, D.C. and is currently based in Prince William County.  He attended Northern Virginia Community College with a focus on Commercial, Graphic, and Fine Arts. 

He became an Urban Sketcher in 2012 when his wife gave him a fountain pen as a Father’s Day gift, later adding watercolor pencils and watercolor as mediums.  Todd is a member of Urban Sketchers groups in Baltimore, MD, Washington, D.C., and Fredericksburg, VA.

Find Todd online at  

Facebook:  Todd Cumpston

Instagram:  @toddpop1

Twitter:  @toddpop1

Mastodon:  @toddpop@mastodon.social

Tumblr:  toddpop1.tumblr.com