I've spent a lot of time flipping through sketchbooks and art books over the years, but The Art of Urban Sketching stands out as something more than just a collection of beautiful drawings. It feels like a global community wrapped in paper—a kind of passport for artists who see cities not just as places to live, but as landscapes to explore with a pen or brush. If you've ever been curious about how others approach on-location drawing, or you're simply looking for inspiration to take your sketchbook outside, this book is a solid place to start.
Written by Gabriel Campanario, the founder of Urban Sketchers, the book is both a deep dive into the philosophy and practice of sketching from life in public spaces and a gorgeous showcase of artists from around the world. It introduces urban sketching not just as a technique, but as a mindset—one that's rooted in observation, storytelling, and connection.
As someone who sketches almost daily and has a deep love for cities, I was immediately drawn to the format and message of this book. I’ve followed Campanario’s work in the Seattle Times, and even though I don’t live in Seattle, his way of capturing urban life always felt familiar. That’s the magic of urban sketching. Whether you're sketching the market in Marrakesh or a strip mall in Ohio, it's about documenting a place through your eyes, your hand, and your presence.
Key Points
- The book covers tools, techniques, and mindset—making it valuable for both beginners and experienced sketchers.
- Artist profiles offer real-world context: what materials they used, how long the sketch took, and what inspired them.
- It's best read slowly and revisited often—just be aware that some of the text can be hard to read due to font size and layout.
First Impressions of The Art of Urban Sketching
From the moment I opened this book, I felt like I was traveling through the eyes of dozens of artists. More than 600 sketches fill its 300+ pages, and each one carries the personality of the person who drew it. The fact that it's organized by location makes it feel like a global tour of cities, neighborhoods, and street corners—all seen through ink and watercolor.
This isn’t a how-to guide in the traditional sense. If you're looking for structured lessons or step-by-step exercises, I’d point you toward my urban sketching tutorial or a more focused urban sketching course. But what this book does offer is a wide-angle view of what’s possible with on-location drawing, from quick pen sketches on the back of a bus ticket to fully fleshed-out watercolor pieces.
Artist Profiles Are the Heart of the Book
What makes The Art of Urban Sketching memorable is the range of artist profiles scattered throughout. These aren’t just bios—they’re mini-interviews, often showing the tools used, how long the sketch took, and what challenges the artist faced on location.
I found these especially grounding. It’s one thing to admire someone’s sketch, but reading how they struggled with bad weather, or juggled a sketchbook on a busy street, or picked their tools based on what fit in their pocket—those details are gold. As someone who often sketches on the go, I could relate deeply.
Some artists lean into loose urban sketching, while others go deep into architecture and perspective. If you’ve ever looked at my urban sketching examples, you’ll know I tend to favor expressive, gestural work. Seeing both approaches in one place reminded me there’s no single “right” way to sketch a city.
If you're curious about tools or setups, I also recommend checking out my urban sketching kit breakdown or my go-to urban sketching bag.
The Typography Problem
Let me get one thing out of the way: the typography in this book is… frustrating.
The body text is often very small and sometimes printed over grey backgrounds or images, making it tough to read unless you have perfect lighting and eagle eyes. At times it felt like the designers prioritized layout aesthetics over readability.
I’ve seen others mention this too—one reviewer even joked about needing a magnifying glass. I wouldn’t go that far, but I did find myself squinting more than once. Still, the insights are worth the effort. And hey, if you’re sketching outside in the sun anyway, you’ll probably be able to read it just fine.
Three-Part Structure That Makes Sense
The book is divided into three parts. The first section is about setting the tone: gathering your tools, adopting the right mindset, and understanding what urban sketching is really about. For newcomers, this is a great warm-up. It echoes a lot of what I emphasize in my easy urban sketching for beginners guide.
The second section is the meat of the book—page after page of sketches, stories, and artist profiles. Some sketches are quick and loose, others are layered with detail. Many artists share the time they spent, the weather conditions, and the tools they used, which makes it feel like you’re right there on the street with them.
The third section covers themes: architectural sketching, sketching at night, seasonal shifts, and one of my personal favorites, capturing people in motion. I’ve struggled for years to draw people quickly, and the tips shared here—alongside my own urban sketching people article—helped me see that capturing essence matters more than precision.
This Book Made Me Reconsider Familiar Places
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this book is how it changed the way I see cities in my own country. Campanario’s work as the “Seattle Sketcher” is rooted in a deep love for his surroundings, and that theme runs through every page. These drawings aren’t just pretty pictures—they’re acts of connection.
It reminded me that I don’t have to travel to find a great subject. A grocery store parking lot, a laundromat, a diner—these places can be just as full of life and meaning. If you’re stuck on what to sketch, take a look at my urban sketching ideas for inspiration.
Who This Book Is Best For
This book is ideal for people who are already curious about urban sketching but want to go deeper into the community side of it. If you're someone who values drawing as a way to connect with your surroundings, this book can really fuel that passion. Beginners might find it a bit overwhelming at first, but pairing it with some urban sketching how-to resources or tutorials can help.
If you're still exploring whether urban sketching is for you, start with what is urban sketching to get a feel for the ethos behind the practice.