When I first picked up The World of Urban Sketching by Stephanie Bower, I didn’t expect to feel like I was traveling the globe with a sketchbook in hand. But that’s exactly what it feels like. This beautifully curated book is more than just a collection of drawings; it’s a celebration of how people from nearly 40 countries interpret their world through pen, pencil, and watercolor.
If you’ve ever wondered what urban sketching looks like around the world, this book is a must-have. It gives you a global perspective on the movement and opens your eyes to styles and voices you might not otherwise encounter.
As someone who has spent years filling sketchbooks with everything from grocery store facades to ancient temples, I found this book to be equal parts inspiring, humbling, and motivating. Urban sketching has been a big part of how I process my travels and day-to-day life, and seeing how other artists approach the same practice from different cultures and backgrounds was both eye-opening and encouraging.
The World of Urban Sketching captures that sense of curiosity and wonder that often gets me to sit down on a curb with a pen and start drawing.
The World of Urban Sketching: First Impressions and Takeaways
This isn’t Stephanie Bower’s first book, but it might be her most ambitious. With over 700 images from more than 150 artists, it showcases a wide range of approaches, tools, and locations. It’s an evolution of the earlier classic The Art of Urban Sketching, but this one feels more modern, more inclusive, and more varied in its techniques.
Each artist brings something new—a tip, a story, or a completely different visual language. Some are full-time illustrators. Others are architects, educators, or hobbyists. I especially appreciated the small write-ups that go with each sketch. They gave me a sense of the artist’s mindset and made the experience feel intimate, like I was flipping through their personal travel journals.
Key Points
- Global inspiration in one book: The sheer diversity of styles and countries represented makes this a great tool for expanding your visual vocabulary.
- It’s not just about buildings: Yes, there are plenty of architectural sketches, but there are also people, food, signs, and moments that show the soul of a place.
- Real advice from real artists: Many sketches come with short notes on process, materials, or mindset—perfect for those looking to improve their own work.
Who This Book is For
If you're new to urban sketching, this book is an incredible source of motivation. You don't need fancy gear or classical training—just something to draw with and the curiosity to look closely at your surroundings. For beginners, I recommend pairing it with my urban sketching tutorial for beginners or browsing through simple urban sketching tips. I’ve noticed that some folks hesitate to call themselves artists because they think their work isn’t “good enough.” But the beauty of urban sketching is that there’s no one right way to do it. This book reinforces that over and over again.
For more experienced sketchers, The World of Urban Sketching is a bit like a mirror and a window. It reflects your own journey while inviting you to see what others are doing. I often found myself flipping between it and my loose urban sketching page when I was stuck on a drawing or needed to shake things up. It helped me get out of the mindset of trying to make “perfect” sketches and instead focus on the energy and story behind the lines.
What Makes This Book Different
There are a lot of urban sketching books out there now, many of which are focused on technique, perspective, or specific tools. I own quite a few myself. But what makes this book different is its focus on the people and the spirit behind the sketches. It’s less about how to sketch and more about why we sketch, what it means to observe our world, and how sketching can be a way to connect with people and places.
Global Reach
One of the standout features is how international this book feels. From Istanbul to Buenos Aires to Seoul, each artist adds a cultural layer to their work. You could build your own sketching goals just by picking locations from this book and checking out urban sketching in Paris, New York, or Seattle and giving those styles a try. I found myself constantly bookmarking pages and then using them as jumping-off points for my own drawings.
Process Over Perfection
There’s a relaxed confidence in the sketches featured—even the more detailed ones. Many show construction lines, water blooms, and wobbly perspective, which I personally love. That visible process gives you permission to loosen up. It aligns with how I teach and how I encourage others to start sketching with nature or city scenes. I’ve found that embracing those “flaws” often makes a sketch feel more alive.
Pandemic Sketching and Resilience
One unexpected chapter covers how urban sketchers kept going during the COVID-19 lockdowns. It’s a subtle but powerful reminder that creativity adapts. Some drew their kitchen corners; others revisited old travel photos. It made me reflect on my own urban sketching reference photos and how useful they’ve been when I can’t sketch on-site. I’ve used these kinds of photos in classes and personal practice, and seeing that other artists leaned on similar strategies made me feel connected to a wider creative community.
What You Might Not Like
To be honest, some of the sketches in the book feel a little intimidating. A good chunk of contributors are trained architects or designers. Their technical skills are next-level, and if you're a beginner, you might find yourself comparing instead of appreciating. If that happens, it helps to remember that urban sketching isn’t a competition. It’s an ongoing conversation. The book tries to highlight this, but I think it’s worth repeating.
Also, there isn’t a ton of hands-on instruction here. If you're looking for a structured how-to, something like Urban Sketching Step-by-Step might be a better place to start. This book is more of a sourcebook or a reference you keep returning to, not something you’d follow page-by-page like a course.
How I Use This Book in My Practice
I leave it out on my desk. Whenever I’m stuck or unsure what to draw, I flip through a few pages. The variety of linework, compositions, and color choices helps me break out of creative ruts. I also use it alongside my urban sketching course to show examples of finished work that doesn’t always look polished but still tells a compelling story.
When I travel, I like to research sketching ideas ahead of time, and this book gives me a ton of options. I also compare the tools featured in the book with what I carry in my urban sketching kit. It’s fascinating to see how minimal some artists are—just a pen and a tiny palette—while others carry full setups. It made me rethink what I really need in my urban sketching bag.
I’ve also used the book when planning workshops. Seeing how other artists introduce a location through sketches helps me think about what kinds of exercises I want to create. If you're thinking about teaching or leading a local sketchwalk, this book can give you some solid inspiration for urban sketching workshops.
Is The World of Urban Sketching good for beginners?
Yes, but it's more for inspiration than instruction. If you're a beginner, use this book to get excited and motivated. For foundational techniques, pair it with guides like urban sketching for beginners or simple urban sketching tutorials.
How is this book different from The Art of Urban Sketching?
The Art of Urban Sketching introduced the movement; The World of Urban Sketching updates and expands it with more international voices and modern techniques. It also features more pandemic-era sketching and digital methods.
Do I need to travel to enjoy urban sketching?
Not at all. Some of the best pages in the book come from people sketching their kitchens, balconies, or the street outside their home. If you need ideas, here are some urban sketching ideas you can try without going far.
What other urban sketching books do you recommend?
Besides this one, I’d suggest checking out The Urban Sketcher, The Art of Urban Sketching, and The Urban Sketching Handbook: Sketch Now, Think Later for different angles and learning styles.
Where can I learn more about urban sketching and sketchbook drawing?
Explore my growing library of urban sketching content, including techniques, classes, and watercolor tips. I also cover everything from pens to trees.