Give Urban Sketching a Try
As a professional illustrator, sketching plays a vital role in my creative journey. Over the years, my passion for maintaining a daily sketching practice has only grown, and today, I’m thrilled to share one of my favorite activities—urban sketching! Urban sketching has gained immense popularity, offering artists a unique way to capture their surroundings and share the essence of the places they live and work. In this blog, I’ll delve into why I cherish urban sketching and guide you on how to embark on your own urban sketching adventure.
What Is Urban Sketching?
Urban sketching is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the city you reside in or travel to. It’s not just about improving your composition skills or experimenting with different tools; it’s about enjoying the process and capturing life as it unfolds around you.
One of the core skills in urban sketching is drawing directly from life, capturing the urban environment in real-time. Whether you’re alone in a café, waiting for a bus or train, or simply observing the bustling city, these moments are perfect for plein air sketches. Solitude allows for a deep focus on your drawings, though urban sketching is equally enjoyable in groups.
A global community of urban sketchers exists, offering a supportive network where like-minded individuals gather to create full-scale sketches. The non-profit organization Urban Sketchers fosters this community, with groups in over 40 cities worldwide. Each group is typically led by an experienced artist, and the collective goal is to depict the vibrant life of the city. If you’re interested, visit www.urbansketchers.org to find a group near you and start sketching!
What You Need to Get Started
To begin urban sketching, your first essential tool is a sketchbook. It’s much more convenient to sketch on the go with a sketchbook—your pages won’t be at the mercy of the wind, and it keeps all your work safely in one place.
For beginners, I recommend starting with a sketchbook that’s not too large or expensive, as this can be intimidating. A comfortable size to carry around is key, and an A5 sketchbook is often a perfect choice for newcomers.
Here are a few sketchbooks I suggest for my students:
- Sketchbook, 5.1″ x 8.3″, 132 Pages
- Mini Sketchbook, 3.5″ x 5.5″, 88 Pages
- Sketchbook, Dusty Blue, 8.25 x 8.25”
As for drawing tools, it’s important to experiment until you find what suits you best. Starting with liners or pens helps you create precise lines and adapt to the unpredictable conditions of outdoor sketching. Time is precious in urban sketching, so learning to draw on-the-go is essential. Don’t shy away from mistakes; the goal is to get comfortable drawing what you see in one go. Pencils are great for beginners as they allow you to erase, fix, and redraw as needed.
Personally, I’m a fan of liners, and many of my sketches are created using them. Here are some of my top recommendations:
- Black Roller Ball Pens
- Woodless Watercolor Pencils
- Inkonic Fineliner Pens, Black
In addition to your sketchbook and drawing tools, ensure you’re comfortable while sketching. Bring along essentials like a bottle of water, a sun hat or raincoat, and snacks—drawing on an empty stomach is never a good idea! A folding stool or cushion can also be handy, allowing you to sit comfortably anywhere.
What to Sketch
Urban sketching is all about capturing the life of the city and the urban environment. While architecture often comes to mind first, your subjects are limitless. You can sketch anything that catches your eye—people, small shops, fragments of urban space, transportation, monuments, parks, museum displays—the possibilities are endless. Draw what fascinates you most!
The Importance of a Sketchbook
You may wonder why a sketchbook is so crucial. From my experience, these are the reasons a daily sketchbook practice is invaluable:
- Continuous Creation: Your brain remains in a creative mode, always ready to translate ideas onto paper. Don’t overthink it—just transfer your ideas to your sketchbook.
- Experimentation: A sketchbook is a perfect place to experiment with different materials and techniques, such as pencil sketching, pen work, watercolors, colored pencils, markers, or liners.
- Portability: A sketchbook allows you to draw from anywhere—home, on the road, during work breaks, or in a café.
- Freedom to Explore: It’s a space to try new techniques and styles. Remember, this is your sketchbook, and you set the rules!
For me, my sketchbook is a tool for studying the world around me, depicting what I see, and honing my skills as an artist. It’s not a canvas for exhibition but a personal space for growth and self-expression. Mistakes are part of the process, and you can always revisit pages with a collage or new drawings.
What Preparation Do You Need?
If you’re worried about lacking preparation or formal education before starting, don’t be! The sooner you start drawing from life, the more experience you’ll gain. Explore your surroundings and draw for fun. Remember, you’re doing this for yourself, and masterpieces will follow with practice.
Drawing daily changes how you perceive the world. My students often share how their view of the world shifts, noticing intriguing moments and seeing familiar things from a new perspective. Try it for yourself and see the difference!
Ways to Use Your Sketchbook
There’s no one right way to use your sketchbook. If you’re driven by a need for daily drawing and creativity, ask yourself, “What interests me? What do I love?” Your answers will guide your sketchbook’s direction. Here are some ideas:
A Travel Diary: Sketches allow you to capture the essence of new places in ways photos cannot. Practice your techniques before traveling to make the most of this experience.
Instagram Posts & Stories: Sketches can enrich your Instagram page, adding life to your posts and stories. It’s also a fantastic way to connect with other sketchers, make new friends, and join challenges.
Record Your Life & Feelings: A sketch journal helps you document the beauty around you—special moments, natural phenomena, or cherished items in your home. If you want to express yourself but are unsure how to start, sketching is a great outlet.
Boost Your Quick-Sketching Skills: Urban sketching requires speed. People move, cars pass by, and weather changes, making quick sketches essential. With practice, your speed and skill will improve, benefiting any art discipline you pursue.
There are countless reasons to make sketching a part of your daily routine. Urban sketching helps you practice art fundamentals like perspective, value, scale, and figure drawing, all of which enhance your overall artistry. Plus, it’s an excellent way to track ideas for future projects. Many artists use their sketchbooks to plan larger works.
I genuinely believe that my sketchbook and pen are my most valuable art tools. I hope this blog has inspired you to start your urban sketching journey. I’d love to hear about your experiences, so feel free to leave comments. Happy sketching!
