If you're curious about urban sketching how to get started, you're in good company. I used to overthink it – lugging too many supplies, feeling awkward drawing in public, or unsure what to sketch.
But once I stripped things back, stayed consistent, and gave myself permission to make messy sketches, something clicked. I started enjoying it for what it was: a way to connect with places in a more personal, creative way.
Urban sketching isn't about making perfect art. It's about capturing the life and character of the world around you – from a quiet side street to a bustling cafe. It can be fast, slow, colorful, or loose. Whatever fits your mood and environment.
This guide walks through everything that helped me get comfortable sketching on location, from mindset to gear to process.
Key Points
- Start small and go often. A simple pen and sketchbook are enough. The more often you sketch, the faster you find your flow.
- Make comfort a priority. Choose tools that feel good in your hand and a bag that doesn't annoy you. The right setup helps you stick with it.
- Focus on storytelling, not perfection. Think of your sketches like journal entries. What caught your eye? What do you want to remember?
Urban Sketching How To: The Basics That Matter Most
There are lots of ways to approach urban sketching, but the most useful things I’ve learned came from trial and error. This section covers the mindset and basic process that works whether you’re sketching a city skyline or your local coffee shop.
Begin with observation
Before you start drawing, take a minute to just look. What’s interesting about the scene? Is it the shadows cast on the wall? A leaning street sign? The way two people are chatting by the bus stop? You don’t have to sketch everything—just choose one thing to anchor the drawing.
This helped me stop worrying about perspective so much. I used to freeze up trying to get every angle correct. Instead, I’ve learned to simplify the scene into basic shapes and focus more on the story. If you want more help with that though, The Urban Sketching Handbook: Understanding Perspective is a solid reference.
Sketch loose, then add detail
A quick gesture with your pen sets the energy. Then you can refine it. I like to block in big shapes with a waterproof pen, then maybe add light washes later if I feel like it. If I mess up a line, I keep going. That scratchy, layered look adds charm. You can see this kind of approach in Quick and Lively Urban Sketching or my own thoughts in this simple urban sketching post.
You can also try sketching with watercolor first and adding ink later. The Urban Sketching Handbook: Color First, Ink Later walks through that approach if you like working with color up front.
Don't overpack
Your kit matters. The first time I went out, I packed a whole studio's worth of stuff. Now I use a small set that fits easily into my urban sketching bag. A good urban sketching kit should feel easy to carry and quick to pull out.
I also recommend checking out a small urban sketching pen that feels comfortable in your hand for long sessions. Don't bring anything you're afraid to use loosely.
Picking the Right Supplies (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
You don’t need a full art store to start sketching outdoors. The fewer decisions you have to make, the more likely you are to actually draw. Here’s what I bring almost every time.
Essentials I use most often
- A waterproof pen (like a Uni Pin or Micron 05)
- A small sketchbook (5×8″ or similar)
- A travel watercolor palette (like this urban sketching watercolor palette)
- A water brush or small paintbrush
- A compact cloth or tissue to dab things
- A small zip pouch to hold it all
Optional add-ons: A pencil for light sketching, a white gel pen for highlights, or a few markers for urban sketching.
For a complete list of what I recommend, check out my urban sketching supplies guide.
Choosing a Location to Sketch
The best spot is one where you can sit comfortably and feel safe. Bonus points if it gives you a view of something interesting but not overwhelming. I like to revisit the same spots often to track how they change over time.
Public benches, coffee shop windows, and street corners with partial shade are some of my favorite spots. If you're looking for inspiration, I've written about urban sketching in Seattle and urban sketching in New York, with tips on what works well in each city.
Capturing People, Architecture, and Movement
Each subject comes with its own challenges, but also opportunities to keep things lively and expressive.
Sketching people
People rarely sit still, which makes them perfect for gesture practice. I tend to look for someone doing something repetitive (like drinking coffee) or stationary (like waiting for a bus). My approach to urban sketching people focuses more on body language and shape than detail.
For a structured way to learn this, Sketching People and The Urban Sketching Handbook: Drawing Expressive People are both excellent. They give you strategies to capture motion and emotion without needing a perfect likeness.
Sketching buildings
Architecture helps you slow down and study proportions. I usually start with the biggest overall shape and then add windows, doors, signs. There’s a great guide called Housesketching that shows how to break complex buildings into simple parts.
I also return to The Urban Sketching Handbook: Cityscapes and Architecture for consistent inspiration and breakdowns of composition ideas.
Taking It Further: Color, Mediums, and Style
Once you’re comfortable, you can play with different materials to see what feels natural. I like to switch between pen and ink, markers, and even gouache when I want bold color.
The book Urban Watercolor Sketching is worth a look if you want to explore color theory and watercolor layering in your sketches.
You can also dive into books like The Urban Sketcher or Draw Your World for style development, mixed media approaches, and more narrative-based sketching techniques.
Practice Ideas to Stay Consistent
Even when I’m home and not traveling, I try to sketch something each week—a corner of my apartment, a parked bike, a bowl of fruit. If you want to build consistency, check out these urban sketching exercises or browse some urban sketching ideas to shake things up.
You can also use urban sketching reference photos if you're not in the mood to go outside but still want to keep drawing.
If you like themed prompts, I’ve also included some in my easy urban sketching for beginners article.
Want to Learn More?
If you want to deepen your practice, I offer an urban sketching course that walks through everything from warm-up sketches to full compositions. It pairs well with urban sketching classes I occasionally run online.
And if you're just starting out and prefer to learn from books, Urban Sketching for Beginners and The Beginner's Guide to Urban Sketching are two of the most helpful I've found. More advanced sketchers might enjoy The Complete Urban Sketching Companion or exploring a themed book like The Urban Sketching Handbook: Spotlight on Nature or The Urban Sketching Handbook: Panoramas and Vertical Vistas.
There's no “right” way to sketch on location. But if you stay curious, keep it simple, and enjoy the process, it becomes something really rewarding. Your sketchbook turns into a visual diary of places, memories, and moments that are easy to forget otherwise.