Urban Sketching for Beginners: What To Expect From This Guide

If you're curious about dipping your toes into sketching city scenes, parks, people at coffee shops, or quiet corners of your neighborhood, the book Urban Sketching for Beginners by Liron Yanconsky might already be on your radar.

I picked it up after browsing through a dozen other books on urban sketching, and I’ll be honest—it stood out because it gets straight to the point, without assuming you know anything at all. For someone who's been drawing since I could hold a pencil, I still appreciate a book that builds confidence from page one.

I’ve spent most of my life sketching from observation, whether it was animals, people, buildings, or whatever caught my eye. But even with years of drawing behind me, there’s something about urban sketching that feels different. You’re not just trying to capture form and light; you’re documenting a moment, a place, a slice of life as it happens. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for resources that make this type of drawing more accessible and enjoyable—especially for people just starting out. Urban Sketching for Beginners fits that niche perfectly.

The book covers mindset, technique, perspective, and basic practice routines. If you're brand new to drawing or feeling overwhelmed about how to start sketching on location, this book helps you ease in without pressure. It's clear that the author's goal is to get you sketching today, not weeks from now after buying a fancy sketchbook or complicated tools.

Key Points

• The book is structured with absolute beginners in mind. You can start sketching on page one.
• It includes simple but effective perspective and shading tips that don’t feel overwhelming.
• Exercises are practical and feel achievable, even on a lunch break or while waiting for a bus.

Urban Sketching for Beginners: First Impressions and Flow

I was specifically looking for something that could recommend exercises I’d actually do, not just read and ignore. Urban Sketching for Beginners does a solid job of giving you prompts that feel casual, not academic. Draw your coffee cup. Sketch your shoes. Observe a person across the street. It’s surprisingly motivating.

Liron’s tone is welcoming. You can tell he believes that drawing is for everyone, not just “talented” people. He walks you through the basics in a way that feels like having a friend nudge you forward. Compared to books like The Urban Sketching Handbook: Techniques for Beginners or The Complete Urban Sketching Companion, this one is a little looser, more conversational, and a lot less intimidating.

The book is divided into short chapters that build on each other. You don’t feel overwhelmed flipping the pages. Each idea gets just enough explanation to give you confidence without drowning you in theory. There’s also a simplicity in how he writes about things like depth, perspective, and composition. He trims the fat and gives you only what you need to know to start.

What I Found Most Helpful

Mindset Before Materials

Before getting into techniques, Liron spends time on the mindset of sketching. And honestly, this might be the most important section in the book. Urban sketching can feel intimidating if you’re not used to drawing in public. People walk by. You feel like you’re being watched. The pressure to “perform” or draw something perfect can stop you before you start.

Liron normalizes the idea that sketching is personal and imperfect. He tells you it’s okay if your first drawings are rough. That’s part of it. His approach reminded me a lot of what I try to practice when I’m nature journaling in the wild—stay present, be curious, and don’t worry so much about making something pretty.

Emphasis on Simple Tools

Another thing I appreciated: you don’t need to buy anything special to follow this book. Liron recommends basic supplies—a pen, a pencil, a sketchbook. That’s it. No brand loyalty, no pushing fancy gear. He even says you can sketch on printer paper if that’s all you’ve got.

That’s not to say having a thoughtful urban sketching kit isn’t useful. I’ve built my own kit over time, with pens I love and a travel watercolor set. But if you’re just getting started, this book keeps it minimal, which I found refreshing.

Exercises That Make Sense

Most drawing books give you exercises, but they often feel like homework. This one didn’t. I liked how Liron’s prompts are simple but effective. He encourages you to sketch things around you: your bag, your hand, your shoes, your street.

The exercises are progressive, which I think is key. First you sketch something basic. Then you add perspective. Then some tone. It helps you build muscle memory. If you’ve never drawn before, this order makes a lot of sense. And if you have? It’s a good way to recalibrate and refresh your approach.

What’s Missing or Less Useful

While the instructions are clear and helpful, the book is very text-heavy. You don’t get a lot of visual variety. There are examples, but they’re simple and sparse. If you’re the kind of learner who’s inspired by a gallery of finished urban sketches, you might want to pair this book with something like The World of Urban Sketching or the photo-rich Urban Sketching Reference Photos page on my site.

Also, the people-sketching section is more of an overview. If you’re serious about drawing figures, I’d recommend digging into urban sketching people or checking out The Urban Sketching Handbook: People and Motion for more detailed help.

Who This Book Is For

This book is great for true beginners or anyone restarting their drawing journey. If you’re stuck in your head or too intimidated to draw in public, this will help get you unstuck. It’s not flashy or artsy or overcomplicated. It’s just solid, kind instruction with exercises that work.

Even if you’ve already got a few sketchbooks filled with drawings, Urban Sketching for Beginners can still be useful. I used it as a way to reset my daily sketching habit after a dry spell. The simplicity made me stop overthinking. It reminded me why I love sketching in the first place.

If you’re more advanced and want to go deeper into things like color or specific locations, you might want to explore watercolor urban sketching, loose urban sketching, or location-based guides like urban sketching Paris or urban sketching New York.

Other Books to Consider Alongside This One

Here are a few related books you might explore once you've finished this one or if you're looking to branch out:

• The Beginner's Guide to Urban Sketching: Slightly broader in scope with more artist examples.
• The Urban Sketcher: Focuses more on composition and storytelling.
• Line and Wash in the Urban Landscape: A great follow-up if you’re ready to add watercolor.
• The Urban Sketching Handbook: Sketch Now, Think Later: Encourages spontaneity and faster sketching.

I also recommend browsing my simple and easy urban sketching guide or checking out this page on tips for urban sketching if you’re looking for practical advice beyond books.