Week 32
My City, My World
Welcome to week thirty-two of your Smash Book! Today, you will be exploring your surroundings with an urban sketching activity.
Take a walk around your neighborhood, or somewhere in your city with a sketchbook. Try to look for interesting buildings for artistic inspiration. When you find one you like, draw it! You can take a picture if you’d rather draw it at home.
Try experimenting with different styles of urban sketches. You could do one in pencil, marker or pen, watercolor, or even try setting a time limit for how long you sketch for.
For more urban sketching inspiration, check out this interview that Nimble Nimbus conducted with a local artist Stephanie Lee!
How did you get started with being an urban sketch artist?
I’ve always loved drawing, especially when I travel. In 2012, I heard about an online community of Urban Sketchers from all over the world, drawing their cities and sharing online. I searched for an Urban Sketching group in my area and found Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region. I was a bit nervous but I finally got the courage to join the group at a sketch event, and I’ve been sketching with them ever since. I love the idea that urban sketching is for everyone, regardless of age or artistic ability. My daughter was sketching with me when she was just 5 years old.
What draws you to urban settings?
In a busy city, there’s no shortage of interesting buildings, people and events to sketch. But urban sketching can be done anywhere - in a forest, in your home, at the park - as long as you’re drawing what’s happening around you. We call it “showing your world, one drawing at a time” so wherever your world is at that moment, you can sketch it!
Where is your favourite place you have sketched and why?
I have a couple of favourites. I had a lot of fun sketching from the top floor of Kitchener City Hall, looking down at all the tiny buildings below. Everyone in our group used these giant pieces of paper and then later we had a gallery show to show off our drawings. Every October, I love sketching the huge, spooky paper maché monsters at the Twilight Zoo outdoor exhibit in Elora. The creatures climbing the walls and peeking out from behind corners are the best, especially at night when they’re all lit up.
What is your artmaking process like?
I always carry a small sketchbook and a pen with me in case I see something interesting to draw. It’s also handy when I have to wait in line or before an appointment. I just sit, notice things around me, and draw what I see. If I have more time, I’ll bring coloured pencils or a small watercolour palette. When I’m done my sketch, I add the date and the location at the bottom.
What advice would you give to someone trying urban sketching for the first time?
Just grab a piece of paper and a pencil and go for it. You don’t need any fancy tools, just use what you have. Don’t worry if your drawing doesn’t turn out perfectly - it’s all about the process of capturing the “story” happening around you. The more you draw, the better you’ll get. You can sketch by yourself, with friends or family, or with a local sketching group. There are lots of great urban sketching books at your local library or bookstore, too. Search up videos and tutorials online. Sketch anything and everything around you, and have fun!
Urban Sketching resources:
Urban Sketchers website: https://urbansketchers.org/
Urban Sketchers YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/URBANSKETCHERSOFFICIAL
Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region (USkWR):
Facebook: Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region
Instagram: @uskwr
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