Tips for New Sketchers

Urban Sketching: Tips for New Members of South Bay Sketchers *

Sketching in public places is challenging. Here are a few tips to get you started. Remember that it takes practice to build up your skills. This is your time to learn, so be patient with yourself.

REMEMBER: If you are using a business site, such as a cafe or restaurant, usually tables are for use of patrons. So buy a drink/snack. 

• Walk around and explore the area. Get a sense of the place by observing what gives it character. Notice what attracts your eye and imagination.
• Select a portion of the scene, or an object that interests you.
• Ask yourself: What is the focus for the sketch? What is needed in the sketch and what should you leave out?
• If you are new to sketching use a soft lead pencil, or ink pen. Then move into using color, value, etc. Try other media, such as  colored pencils or markers first, before moving into watercolor paints, or other more challenging media.
• Optional: Sketch a few thumbnails (2” x 3”). Pay attention to proportion and to the angles of perspective.
• Complete one or two sketches of your chosen scene/object. Do more if time allows.

Group Discussion 

Share what attracted you about the object or scene and why—and what you learned. Don’t compare yourself to others—‘mistakes’ are a chance to learn. Share info about the media that you used. When discussing your sketches, or those of others, comment on what worked well. We learn best when we repeat our successes.

*South Bay Sketchers is a group organized through Meetup.com. We are located in Santa Clara County, California. If you wish to become a member of the group, sign into Meetup.com. Search for the group by its name, South Bay Sketchers, and signup for the group.  All sketching events are posted on the group's Meetup page. If you have questions, contact the organizer by leaving a comment on this posting or by using the messaging services of Meetup.com.