Overview

#UrbanSketching emerged as a global movement of artists drawing on location in cities, towns, and public spaces. Founded by journalist Gabriel Campanario in 2007, Urban Sketchers (USk) formalized the practice through international chapters, symposiums, and social media communities.

Urban Sketchers Manifesto (2007)

Campanario established core principles:

1. We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation
2. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and where we travel
3. Our drawings are a record of time and place
4. We are truthful to the scenes we witness
5. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles
6. We support each other and draw together
7. We share our drawings online
8. We show the world, one drawing at a time

Platform Growth (2010-2016)

Flickr initially hosted the community, but Instagram’s visual format accelerated growth from 2012 onward. By 2015, Urban Sketchers had over 200 chapters across 50+ countries. Annual symposiums in cities like Barcelona, Singapore, and Chicago attracted thousands of participants.

Tools & Techniques

Urban sketchers favored portable supplies:

• Watercolor sketchbooks (Moleskine, Stillman & Birn)
• Fountain pens and brush pens
• Pocket watercolor palettes (Winsor & Newton field box)
• Water brushes
• Folding stools

Common techniques included line-and-wash (ink + watercolor), direct sketching without pencil underdrawing, and quick gestural studies.

Social Media Impact

Instagram hashtags like #UrbanSketching, #UrbanSketchers, and location-specific tags (#USkSeattle, #USkParis) created global connectivity. Artists shared daily sketches, travel journals, and technique tips. The movement democratized plein air art, making it accessible beyond traditional landscape painting.

Cultural Documentation

Urban sketchers documented:

• Architectural heritage (before demolition)
• Cultural events and protests
• Daily life scenes (cafes, markets, public transit)
• Travel experiences
• Pandemic lockdowns (2020 balcony sketches)

Influence on Art Education

Art schools incorporated urban sketching into curriculum. Online courses on Skillshare, Domestika, and YouTube tutorials taught fundamentals. Artists like Marc Taro Holmes, Liz Steel, and Suhita Shirodkar became influential educators.

Publishing & Commercial Success

The movement spawned dozens of books:

• The Urban Sketching Handbook series
• Everyday Watercolor by Jenna Rainey
• Regional sketch collections

Art supply companies partnered with urban sketchers for product endorsements and workshops.

Community Values

Urban Sketchers emphasized:

• Inclusivity (all skill levels welcome)
• Non-competitive ethos
• In-person meetups (“sketch crawls”)
• Truthfulness to observation over stylization
• Storytelling through drawing

Sources:

• https://www.urbansketchers.org/
• https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/urbansketching/
• https://www.creativebloq.com/