How to Start Urban Sketching Some tips and tools to make it easy
Urban Sketching is a creative and relaxing activity that anyone can do. Are you looking for a creative outlet but have little or no experience with sketching or drawing? Maybe you’re an artist looking for inspiration?
For years I led an urban sketching workshop in downtown Chicago showing people how to get started. Read a little about where you can go, what to look for, and the tools to bring with you so you can start urban sketching today.
The biggest obstacle people had was their fear to mess up. You can’t mess this up! It’s about you taking time out of your day to be creative, to relax, and to try something new.
What is Urban Sketching
Sketching on location using the tools that bring you joy and a desire to paint, or draw!
Where to go urban sketching
Start sketching what you see. Don’t let negative thoughts hold you back. There is always another sheet of paper and you can start over. You can sketch anywhere the mood strikes. Think about your city and where you can find interesting things. Here are some ideas:
- An interesting building can offer up incredible details. Sketch the details or capture its shape
- A park or cafe offers great people and food sketching opportunities
- Street art and sculptures can inspire you
- Parked cars and public transportation
- Stuck in a waiting room? Sketch the room or the people.
- Supermarkets or other shopping areas give you a mix of architecture and people in active poses
- If it’s raining, you may visit a library or cafe and sketch what you see there
- Sketch when you travel. Grab blank postcards to sketch on and send home.
Tools to use to start urban sketching
The tools and supplies vary based on your budget, preferences, goals, and the weather. Mix and match as you’d like. I wrote about what’s in my kit which shows you the tools and supplies I take with me but let me tell you, each artist is different. Find what you like and what works for you as you get started.
Use the list below, visit a local art store, or browse online for inspiration. So much is available that it too can be overwhelming. My advice is to start small and grow your kit as you move forward in your urban sketching journey.
The Basics
Grab some paper and a pencil or pen. Pack it into a bag and start sketching your subject.
- Paper – this can be a blank postcard, a sketch pad, or anything else you prefer to make a mark on. Choose the size that’s right for you, there are lots available in different price ranges.
- Pencil – Bring your favorite pencil or grab a set, small or big is up to you based on how much you want to carry and the space you’ll have available to you.
- Ink – Some people prefer to sketch in ink and some go over their pencil marks in ink. Grab some waterproof ink if you want to add paint later.
- Eraser & sharpener – Some kits come with these included. Bring them along so that you can keep your pencil sharpened and have an eraser handy for mistakes or to get creative with.
- Bag to carry it all – The size of the bag depends on what you’re bringing.
- Extras – Pack some water and snacks for a longer day. Some people like to bring a travel stool and a portable light if you’re planning on an evening sketch.
Expand Your Kit
Add some color and texture to your sketches and really start finding your style. Watercolors come in various forms; pencils, markers, crayons, tubes, and pans. I recommend buying the artist quality of paints as they have better pigment concentration and will go a lot further than the student quality. Buy less but better quality. I apply this to paper too.
- Watercolors
- Watercolor Pencils, Markers, and Crayons – They’re easy to carry around and you’ll use a water-brush to move the pigment around.
- Tubes of Watercolors – When working with tubes, you’ll have to get an empty travel palette. This offers versatility.
- Watercolor Pans – The pans are dried watercolor blocks that either come in a travel palette already or you can buy individual pans for your empty palette.
- Water-brush – This is a brush with an empty barrel. You’ll fill with water and use it to spread the pigment on your paper. Pentel is a favorite brand because they have lasted me the longest. Some tend to leak a bit after heavy use.
- Buy individual brushes
- A set of brushes in various sizes
- View finder
- A view finder will help you evaluate scenes and create composition with interest.
Recommended Reading
I have many books on my resources page but my favorites are books from the Urban Sketchers Handbook series. This series of books on urban sketching covers it all; perspective, color theory, people and motion, architecture, sketching on your tablet, panoramas, light and shadow, and more. I took some of these books with me to my workshops.
In Conclusion
Don’t let anything hold you back from this incredible activity. You may have a little voice in your head that tells you that you can’t do it, ignore it. Start small and venture out into your city to find the interesting sights. Take your sketch kit everywhere you go and use it!
