Have you ever passed by a beautiful building or a picturesque street and thought to yourself, “I wish I could capture this moment in a sketch”? If so, then urban sketching may be the perfect hobby for you. Urban sketching is the act of creating on-location sketches of cityscapes, buildings, people, and everyday scenes. It is a form of art that captures the essence of a place and its people through quick, loose, and lively sketches. In this blog post, we will dive into the world of urban sketching and explore everything you need to know to get started.
What is Urban Sketching?
Urban sketching is a form of visual storytelling that captures the beauty and energy of our surroundings. Unlike traditional studio painting, urban sketching involves drawing on location, directly from observation. The focus is on capturing the scene in front of you, rather than creating a perfectly rendered piece of art.
Urban sketching has been around for centuries, with famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Vincent van Gogh using it as a tool for studying and documenting their surroundings. However, the term “urban sketching” was coined in the 2000s by an artist named Gabi Campanario. He started a blog called “Seattle Sketcher,” where he would share his sketches of Seattle’s urban landscape. The blog gained popularity, and soon, other artists joined in, sharing their on-location sketches from different cities around the world.
Materials needed for Urban Sketching
One of the things that make urban sketching so appealing is its simplicity. You don’t need a lot of expensive materials to get started; all you need are a few essential supplies that you can carry with you wherever you go. Here are some materials that every urban sketcher should have in their kit:
Sketchbook
The most crucial supply for urban sketching is a good quality sketchbook. It should be portable, durable, and have paper that can handle different mediums. You can choose from a variety of sizes, but the most popular among urban sketchers are A5 or A6 size sketchbooks as they are easy to carry around. There are also sketchbooks with specific types of paper, such as watercolor paper or toned paper, depending on your preferred medium.
Pens and pencils
Urban sketching requires quick and loose sketches, so it’s essential to have tools that allow you to draw without fuss. A fine-tipped waterproof pen, like a Micron or a Uni Pin, is perfect for outlining and adding details. For shading and adding values, a mechanical pencil or a graphite stick works well. Experiment with different types and sizes of pens and pencils to find what works best for you.
Watercolors
Watercolors are a popular medium among urban sketchers due to their portability and versatility. You can use a travel set of watercolors or even make your own palette using empty half-pan or full-pan watercolor tins. Carry a small container of water and a few brushes, and you’re all set to add vibrant colors to your sketches.
Other supplies
Apart from these basic materials, you can also carry a small bottle of ink, markers, colored pencils, or any other medium that you prefer. Some artists also use a water brush, which has a built-in water reservoir, making it easier to use watercolors on-the-go. Lastly, don’t forget to have a small piece of cloth or paper towel to clean your brushes and a plastic bag to protect your supplies from rain.
Tips and techniques for Urban Sketching
Urban sketching may seem daunting at first, but with practice and some helpful tips, anyone can become an urban sketcher. Here are some tips and techniques that will help you improve your sketches:
Start with simple shapes
When starting a sketch, it’s essential to break down the scene into simple shapes like squares, triangles, and circles. This technique helps you capture the proportions and layout of the sketch accurately. Once you have a rough outline, you can add details and refine your drawing.
Use a light touch
One of the key elements of urban sketching is spontaneity. Avoid pressing too hard on your pencil or pen; instead, use light, quick strokes. This will help you create loose and lively sketches that capture the energy of the scene.
Loosen up your lines
Urban sketching is not about creating perfect, straight lines. In fact, imperfections and wobbly lines add character to your sketches. Don’t be afraid to let loose and let your hand move freely across the page.
Practice sketching people
In urban areas, there are always people around, and they make great subjects for your sketches. Practice drawing people in different poses and styles. You can start with simple stick figures and then move on to adding more details as you get comfortable.
Experiment with different perspectives
Don’t be afraid to change your perspective while sketching. Try looking at the scene from a different angle, or even sitting in a different spot. This will not only give you a different view to draw but also challenge you to think creatively.
Benefits of Urban Sketching
Apart from being a fun and creative hobby, urban sketching has several benefits that make it an excellent activity for anyone interested in art and the city. Some of these benefits include:
Improves observation skills
As an urban sketcher, you learn to observe and pay attention to the details of your surroundings. You start to notice things like the architecture, the people, and the tiny details that bring a place to life. This heightened observation skill not only improves your drawing but also helps you appreciate your surroundings in a new light.
Acts as a form of meditation
The act of sketching requires you to be present in the moment and fully concentrate on your subject. This can act as a form of meditation, allowing you to relax and de-stress from your daily life.
Encourages exploration and discovery
Urban sketching is all about capturing the essence of a place, so it encourages you to explore and discover new areas of your city or even travel to new places for inspiration. You start to appreciate your surroundings more and find beauty in unexpected places.
Helps document your travels
If you’re someone who loves to travel, urban sketching can add a unique element to your travel journal. Instead of taking thousands of photos, you can create sketches that capture the memories and emotions of the places you visit.
Famous Urban Sketchers
Urban sketching has gained popularity over the years, and there are now countless artists around the world who practice this art form. Here are some of the most famous urban sketchers whose work will inspire you to pick up your sketchbook and go out to draw:
Gabriel Campanario
As mentioned earlier, Gabriel Campanario is credited with coining the term “urban sketching.” He is an artist, illustrator, and journalist who started the global urban sketching movement. His sketches of Seattle gained popularity through his blog and have now been published in several books.
Liz Steel
Liz Steel is an Australian architect-turned-artist who shares her passion for drawing on her popular blog and YouTube channel. Her lively and colorful sketches have inspired many urban sketchers around the world, and she has also published several books on watercolor and architectural sketching.
Marc Taro Holmes
Marc Taro Holmes is a Canadian artist who specializes in urban sketching and plein air painting. He is known for his vibrant and dynamic sketches, which he creates using a combination of watercolor, pen, and ink. He is also the co-founder of the Urban Sketching Handbook series.
Suhita Shirodkar
Suhita Shirodkar is an artist based in California who captures the energy and vibrancy of urban life through her sketches. She also teaches workshops and has published several books on urban sketching and watercolor techniques.
How to get started with Urban Sketching
Now that you know what urban sketching is and the materials you need to get started, here are some steps to help you on your journey as an urban sketcher:
Find inspiration
Start by looking for inspiration around you. Take a walk around your neighborhood or visit a local market or park and take note of the different scenes and subjects that catch your eye. You can also follow popular urban sketchers on social media and attend workshops or classes to learn and get inspired.
Begin with simple sketches
As a beginner, it’s essential to start with simple sketches and then gradually move on to more complex ones. Practice drawing basic shapes and objects first, like buildings, trees, or people, before moving on to more challenging subjects.
Practice regularly
The more you sketch, the better you will become at it. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice sketching, whether it’s during your lunch break or after work. This will help you improve your skills and develop your own style.
Join a community or group
Urban sketching communities and groups are a great way to connect with other artists, share your work, and get feedback. You can also attend urban sketching events and meetups where you can sketch with others and learn from each other.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Remember, urban sketching is all about improvisation and capturing the moment. Don’t worry about making mistakes; instead, embrace them and use them to your advantage. This will help you grow and develop as an artist.
Urban Sketching communities and events
The global urban sketching community is very active, and there are several groups, events, and communities where you can connect with like-minded artists. Here are some popular urban sketching communities and events that you can join:
Urban Sketchers
Urban Sketchers is a global community of artists who share their sketches from different cities around the world. They also organize workshops, symposiums, and exhibitions to bring urban sketchers together and promote urban sketching as an art form.
SketchCrawl
SketchCrawl is a worldwide event where artists unite and spend a day drawing, sketching, and painting together in their respective cities. The event takes place four times a year, and anyone can participate by organizing or joining a group in their city.
International Urban Sketchers Symposium
The International Urban Sketchers Symposium is an annual event that brings hundreds of urban sketchers from around the world together to learn, share, and explore different cities through on-location sketching.
Conclusion
Urban sketching is a wonderful hobby that combines art, travel, and storytelling. It’s a great way to document your surroundings, improve your observation skills, and connect with other artists. With just a few basic supplies and some helpful tips, anyone can become an urban sketcher. So grab your sketchbook and pencil, head out to your favorite spot, and start creating beautiful sketches of the world around you. Happy sketching!
