What is Urban Sketching?

Hello everyone, today I'm going to introduce you to urban sketching, an exciting practice that turns the world around us into a creative playground. Whether you live in the countryside, in a big city, or by the sea, this approach to drawing enables us to observe, narrate, and capture everyday life in a different way.

What is urban sketching?

Urban sketching is the art of drawing live what we see around us. It can be a busy street, a cafe, a market, an old facade, or even a subway scene. The goal is not to create a perfect drawing, but to capture a moment, an ambiance, an atmosphere.

This movement was born from the desire to document the real world through the eyes of artists. “Urban sketchers” sometimes gather in groups to draw together, but many practice alone, sketchbook in hand. Each drawing thus becomes a small record of life, a visual memory of an ordinary moment.

Why practice urban sketching?

This practice develops much more than drawing. It teaches you how to observe attentively, to see beauty in the mundane, to appreciate the diversity of places and people. It's a form of active meditation: you are present, focused, rooted in the moment.

It also strengthens self-confidence. Drawing in public requires overcoming the gaze of others, asserting yourself as an artist, regardless of the level. Over time, this confidence grows, and the sketchbook becomes a companion for travel, walks, or even coffee breaks.

The ideal equipment for starting out

Good news: there is no need for lots of equipment. A sketchbook, a pen or fine marker, and maybe a small watercolor palette are more than enough. The goal is to remain mobile, unencumbered, ready to draw anywhere.

You can also use a pencil if you prefer to sketch before inking, but many urban sketchers draw directly with ink to maintain the spontaneity of the line.

Some tips for drawing from life

Start with the general shapes before diving into the details. Simplify, get to the essence. If a passerby moves, don't try to correct everything; that movement is part of the scene. Don’t be afraid of mistakes: a wobbly line or an approximate perspective often adds charm to a sketch.

If you would like to learn more about live drawing, I recommend you have a look at our article on how to draw live (https://dessindigo.com/blog/tuto-dessin/dessiner-vif).

Don't hesitate to also note the date, place, or a small sentence related to the moment. This turns your pages into a personal travel journal that captures real life.

Exercise: Choose a lively place (such as a square or market) and draw several quick small panels instead of one large drawing. Each panel tells a piece of a story.

The spirit of the notebook

Urban sketching is primarily a mindset. We do not seek perfection, but spontaneity and the sincerity of our perspective. Each sketch becomes a memory, an emotion captured on paper.

As you turn the pages, you will see your perspective evolve, your stroke become freer, and your confidence grow. Most importantly, you will begin to rediscover the world around you, one drawing at a time.

If you want to focus your urban sketching on your travels, then I suggest you check out our blog post:  how to start your travel journal.

Urban sketching is just a starting point. If you enjoyed this spontaneous approach to drawing, the Travel Journal course will enable you to develop further. You will learn how to compose your pages, play with color, recount your memories, and give real soul to your drawings. It’s a comprehensive experience to transform your sketches into vivid personal narratives.

Editor: Chloé Pouteau