I joined Urban Sketchers!
Finally!
This feels like I joined a secret global spanning organization of record keepers. Only for this one, you just have to show up and do the thing, no barriers.
There are thousands upon thousands of sketchbooks all around the world with little impressions of urban scenery you’d think mundane, but are strangely beautiful to look at when confined to a little A5 sketching pad.
Taking the first step
I’ve been attending some art related groups for a couple of years now, and each meet with a different purpose and attract people with different mentalities.
I remember the frustration of being at home not having gone to Art school and feeling that there was no way to connect with my peers. I couldn’t have been more wrong, and they are not exactly hiding or gatekeeping.
The sensation of communing with strangers who are pursuing the same interest as you is unparalleled.
So after having heard about urban sketchers, I joined their public Facebook page and followed the instructions to attend the first meet up.
The photograph below is from a different angle to the sketch because I had to go back and take it, so it is what it is.
The fresh air, the time constraints, the vibrations of the light and peoples life’s happening before your eyes… I’m a fan of plein air drawing now!
I had a set of watercolours with me that day, but I was too much of a coward to splash some pigment over my precious drawing, but at least there’s room to grown.
I’ll be there next time
More recently, there was an opportunity for the group to exhibit their work at a local visitors centre. It is wonderful to see so many familiar locations represented by the hand of different artists.
I didn’t display anything for this one, but hopefully there will be more opportunities in the future! But still taking it as a learning experience, I went to see what kind of subject matter the group wanted to share and how they prepare and frame their pieces for these events. Some put the original pieces and others put up reproductions of their work from a bound sketchpad.
After I left I caught up with them for a coffee down the road, so here is the motley crew of the Bournemouth’s Urban Sketch group. Something that immediately took me by surprise was how welcoming they have been, because having been to a fair share of other art events, this one stands out on that way. I really appreciated how affable they have been and how willing to share their work everyone is.
Not unlike some experiences I’ve had here on Substack! Great times all around.
Event
There is an international event happening soon in May 2024 from the 1st to the 7th. If you’ve been flirting with the idea of doing some urban sketching now is a great time to start.
Here is a link to the event’s page!
International Urban Sketchers Week.
To you, from the home of magic.
Marco D Blanco.