what is urban sketching

Urban Sketching – Your Guide and How To Start

Urban Sketching is becoming more and more popular, and now you can buy products and materials designed specifically for urban sketching. For example, urban sketching bags, kits and books on urban sketching.

What is Urban Sketching?

Urban Sketchers is a global community of people who go out on location in the cities they live in and travel to. They sketch what they see, capturing their impressions of the scene. It’s like a visual diary, recording the things you experience. When you look back at the sketches, the memories of being there come back to you.

The vision and values on the Urban Sketchers website describes it like this (see the entire Vision & Values):

1. “We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation.
2. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live, and where we travel.
3. Our drawings are a record of time and place. …”

I first learned about Urban Sketching two years ago, and joined the NYC Urban Sketchers group. We met virtually, and drew together (apart). Now I go to some of the group sketches in New York, and have taken several workshops given by other urban sketchers. It’s fun to sketch with and learn from other people.

Urban sketching appeals to me because I love to go places more than I like staying at home or in my studio. I also love that you can use a variety of materials, and there’s no “right” way – the best way is the way that you like.

Before this, I’ve done watercolor and drawing on and off throughout my life. At one point, I decided that learning to draw would improve my watercolors, so I learned. It did help my watercolors, however, I wasn’t going places.

Now I take my kit of materials and a small sketchbook with me wherever I go. I started small, and have changed the kits and the materials I take with me. Sometimes I also take watercolors and water with me and paint. Sometimes I do the sketch and add more lines and color when I’m back in my studio.

I first learned about Urban Sketching two years ago, and joined the NYC Urban Sketchers group. We met virtually, and drew together (apart). Now I go to some of the group sketches in New York, and have taken several workshops given by other urban sketchers. It’s fun to sketch with and learn from other people.

Urban sketching appeals to me because I love to go places more than I like staying at home or in my studio. I also love that you can use a variety of materials, and there’s no “right” way – the best way is the way that you like.

Before this, I’ve done watercolor and drawing on and off throughout my life. At one point, I decided that learning to draw would improve my watercolors, so I learned. It did help my watercolors, however, I wasn’t going places.

Now I take my kit of materials and a small sketchbook with me wherever I go. I started small, and have changed the kits and the materials I take with me. Sometimes I also take watercolors and water with me and paint. Sometimes I do the sketch and add more lines and color when I’m back in my studio.

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