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Urban Sketching: Creating artwork from the environment Around You | Blog

Jun 16, 2022

If you're planning to record the uniqueness of a building or location, you might instinctively take out a camera or your smartphone to capture photos. But if you really want to get the most out of that location--its mood, movement and ambiance, try to sit down for a while and take the time to sketch it.

This kind of art, called urban sketching, is a distinctive way to observe the world around you. And because of its loose, imperfect nature urban sketching can be a good choice for both advanced and beginner artists alike.

What exactly is urban Sketching?

This illustration style focuses on capturing the people, places, and things that surround the area you live in. Urban sketches are typically drawn in a swift loose style that accepts imperfections, and they're generally drawn as you look at an environment in real-time.

A lot of urban sketchers are inspired by vibrant, lively, and crowded cities. But despite the title, urban sketching does not necessarily have to limit itself to urban landscapes. It is possible to find inspiration in residential areas, and even in residential areas.

Urban Sketching Equipment

While you could certainly leave your sketches with a black-and-white background but you may also choose to add color to your landscape by using watercolor paint.

Ink Pens

Paper or sketchbook

You also need the canvas to draw on. If you choose to use unfinished sheets of paper or a sketchbook It is recommended to select the right paper to accommodate mixed media--i.e. heavier thickness with some texture, so it's able to withstand the watercolor paint, without warping.

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Watercolor Brushes as well as Paint

If you'd like to give the color of your drawings then you'll require brush and watercolor paint. A travel watercolor set, which includes half pans of paint that are compact enough to take with you on the go while still offering a good range of hues. For brushes, simply choose a couple of different sizes, so you can paint large areas as well as tiny areas.

Locations to Sketch

There is inspiration almost anywhere, but if you are looking for ideas on the best places to draw your urban designs take a look at these locations.

Religious Building

Churches, temples, and cathedrals usually have stunning and intricate structures, which makes it fun to draw on urban drawings.

Transportation Hubs

Airports and train stations bustle with activity, which makes them ideal places to sketch urban landscapes. Additionally, they are often adorned with unique architecture and art installations.

Cafes

If you'd like to relax in a tranquil setting while sipping a cup coffee or tea while you draw, cafes and restaurants are ideal locations. You can find plenty of fascinating things to sketch in the cafe. However, an open window can give you a view out to the street outside.

Intersections

There is a chance that you think an intersection of two streets is nothing special--but this is the place where you will often have a different, extended look down a road that contains a wide range of structures and vehicles and people.

Side Streets

Shopping Centers

If you're looking to catch crowds and people, malls are great places for you to test. When you walk through a market or farmers' market, you're bound to see a variety of customers as well as merchants and merchandise.

How to sketch Urban Landscapes

So, you've gathered the supplies you need and have found the perfect spot to draw. What do you do? How to begin? Here are some tips.

Step 1: Identify Horizon Line and Vanishing Point

For the initial layout of your sketch, first determine your horizon line -- in the sense of being at eye-level in the picture--as well as the vanishing point in which parallel lines (like the two outer edges of street) converge in the distance. This will enable you to draw the scene with more realistic proportions and perspectives.

Step 2: Simplify the Scene Into Geometric Shapes

Then, you can break the elements of the scene into simple geometric shapes. For example, you may imagine a structure as a rectangle while an awning may appear more like a triangle. A set of descending steps could be a sequence of lines running parallel to each other that get closer when they get closer to the disappearing point. If you trace these lines on piece of paper or imagine these shapes, this practice can help you map out your desired scene to illustrate.

Step 3: Start by drawing.

Now, with your pen and a pencil, start adding the details that you see in the picture. It is helpful to start with the things you can see from an the eye level and then work upwards or downwards to the next level. While drawing, keep the sketchy, loose style. You don't have to worry about making the drawing appear realistic. It's all about capturing the mood and feel that the setting. And if you make a mistake--which you inevitably do, because you're working with ink, simply incorporate it into your sketch, and draw.

Step 4: Apply Color

In a final step that is optional, add colors to your drawing with watercolor paints. Try to add just enough color to add dimension and texture--you don't have to paint every shape in the drawing. Be sure to keep your strokes light and organic, and don't fret if you go outside of the lines; it only adds dimension to your composition.

Find Beauty All Around You

Urban sketching is a great method to draw inspiration from your daily life, or it can be an unique way to record your journeys. Whatever you decide to do, urban sketching will empower the ability to pay focus on your surroundings and appreciate the beauty in things you might not have seen prior to.

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