When I first picked up The Urban Sketching Handbook Cityscapes and Architecture, I was hoping for a compact, practical guide to help me level up my location sketches. I wasn’t disappointed. This little book has become a staple in my sketch bag, especially when I’m out wandering through cities or studying buildings for my urban sketching projects.
I’ve used many urban sketching books over the years, but this one, by Gabriel Campanario, really hones in on the challenges (and joys) of drawing architecture and cityscapes on location. Whether I’m sketching modern skyscrapers or crumbling alleyways, the clear principles and examples in this book give me a framework I can lean on.
First Impressions of The Urban Sketching Handbook Cityscapes and Architecture
The first thing that struck me about The Urban Sketching Handbook Cityscapes and Architecture was how portable and focused it is. Unlike big, glossy coffee-table sketching books, this handbook fits easily in my bag. I appreciate that because I like to keep my kit lightweight—if you’re interested, I’ve also shared my urban sketching kit and what I pack for different outings.
When I first started urban sketching, I was often overwhelmed by the complexity of buildings. Where do you even start with all those windows, lines, and angles? This book breaks it down in a way that felt very manageable to me.
It focuses on six core principles: composition, scale, depth, contrast, line, and creativity. Campanario uses his own sketches alongside those from other urban sketchers worldwide. The result is not just technical advice but also a wide range of inspiring styles.
Key Points
Here are three things that stood out to me after using this book in the field:
- The structure makes it easy to apply techniques right away. Each principle comes with actionable suggestions—like using thumbnails to plan compositions or pushing your linework to create depth. I’ve found myself flipping to specific sections when I’m stuck or want to try something new.
- It encourages finding your own voice. Campanario stresses creativity and developing your unique style rather than copying exact techniques. That mindset really resonated with me because I want my urban sketches to feel personal, not like replicas of someone else’s work.
- Portability means you’ll actually use it. I’ve owned bigger, more comprehensive books, but they usually stay on my shelf. This one travels with me and has been used in parks, cafes, city streets, and even when I’m just sitting in my car sketching a building across the road.
Practical Tips I Picked Up from the Book
One of my favorite takeaways from the book is the idea of confident linework. A shaky, hesitant line can make a sketch feel timid. Campanario advises making decisive marks, even if they land in the wrong spot. At first, this was tough for me. I was so used to carefully planning and second-guessing every stroke. But once I started applying this mindset, my drawings became more lively and engaging. I’ve also written about this approach in my post on loose urban sketching if you want to dive deeper.
Another helpful section covers composition. The suggestion to use quick thumbnails to test different framing options has saved me countless times when starting a complex cityscape. If you want to explore simplifying scenes further, you might enjoy my guide on simple urban sketching.
The book also encourages sketchers to observe the built environment in a deeper way. I started paying more attention to architectural styles, the play of light and shadow on building surfaces, and how city layouts influence the way we experience spaces. This not only improved my sketches but also made wandering through cities a richer experience.
Who This Book Is (and Isn’t) For
If you’re completely new to urban sketching and need guidance on supplies, basic techniques, or what to pack for a sketching trip, this book might feel a bit advanced. I’d suggest pairing it with something like easy urban sketching for beginners or the beginners guide to urban sketching to get started.
For those who already have some experience and want to improve how you sketch architecture and city scenes, this handbook is one of the best resources out there. Even after years of drawing, I’ve found it refreshing and useful. It’s especially valuable if you want to move beyond simply copying what you see and start adding more personal expression to your urban sketches.
How It Compares to Other Urban Sketching Books
I own quite a few urban sketching books. Some are mostly collections of inspiring artwork, like The Art of Urban Sketching and The World of Urban Sketching. These are beautiful to look at and great for motivation, but they don’t offer as much hands-on guidance.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are books like The Urban Sketching Handbook 101 Sketching Tips and The Urban Sketching Handbook Working With Color. These, like Cityscapes and Architecture, are practical and portable, making them easy to reference while you sketch.
I also appreciate how this handbook complements resources I’ve created myself. For example, if you enjoy drawing animals in city environments (which I often do when sketching parks or urban wildlife), you might want to check out my drawing animals tips or my guide to urban sketching people. These skills combine well with architectural sketching to create more lively and complete scenes.
Real-World Sketching Experience
To give you a sense of how I’ve used the book in real-world settings, let me share a few quick examples.
When I was sketching in Seattle, I focused on the contrast and scale principles outlined in the book. The city has a mix of modern towers and historic buildings, and thinking about how to emphasize their differences helped me create more dynamic sketches.
In New York, I used the thumbnail composition trick before tackling complex scenes like the Flatiron Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. Having a simple plan saved me a lot of frustration once I started sketching.
And when I travel light, I rely on techniques I’ve also outlined in my post on simple and easy urban sketching, many of which overlap with the advice in Campanario’s book.
Beyond the Book: Expanding Your Urban Sketching Skills
Once you’ve worked through The Urban Sketching Handbook Cityscapes and Architecture, there are plenty of ways to keep building your skills. I recommend exploring my tutorials on urban sketching techniques, urban sketching exercises, and urban sketching ideas.
If you’re interested in painting your sketches, you might enjoy my thoughts on watercolor urban sketching or gouache urban sketching. And for those wanting to attend events and connect with other sketchers, I’ve written about the urban sketching symposium and workshops.
I also recommend looking at other books in the Urban Sketching Handbook series, especially if you want to explore topics like understanding light, understanding perspective, or drawing expressive people.
My Final Thoughts
I keep coming back to The Urban Sketching Handbook Cityscapes and Architecture because it balances technique with creativity. It doesn’t just tell you how to sketch buildings. It encourages you to observe, interpret, and make those sketches your own.
If you want to deepen your skills or get more strategic with your cityscape sketching, it’s definitely worth adding to your collection. And if you’re looking for more hands-on ideas, I share plenty of urban sketching exercises and urban sketching ideas to keep your creativity flowing.