Urban Sketchers - See the world one sketch at a time.

The Birth of a Movement

Urban Sketchers began as a nonprofit organization in 2007 when Seattle-based journalist and illustrator Gabriel Campanario created a Flickr group showcasing location drawings. By 2009, it had grown into a global movement with a simple yet powerful manifesto: drawing on location, from direct observation, telling stories about our surroundings.

The Urban Sketchers Manifesto

The movement is guided by a clear philosophy: sketches should be drawn from direct observation, in real-time; drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and travel to; the process of drawing is as valuable as the finished work; and we support each other through sharing and respect for diverse styles.

Tools of the Trade

Urban sketchers typically travel light with portable materials—small sketchbooks, water-soluble pens, watercolor kits, and brush pens. Unlike traditional plein air setups, urban sketching equipment needs to be compact enough to use while standing in a busy street or sitting in a café.

A Global Community

Today, Urban Sketchers has chapters in over 300 cities across 60 countries. The community connects through regional meet-ups, annual international symposiums, and active social media sharing. What began as a simple idea has transformed into one of the most accessible and engaging art movements of the 21st century.

Documentation of Urban Life

Unlike studio work, urban sketching captures life as it happens—construction sites transforming neighborhoods, historic buildings facing demolition, everyday scenes at markets and transportation hubs. Urban sketchers become visual journalists, documenting urban environments in transition.

Learning to See Your City

The practice encourages participants to truly observe their surroundings, noticing architectural details, the quality of light, and human interactions that might otherwise be missed. Many urban sketchers report discovering their own cities anew through the slow observation that sketching demands.

Join the Movement

Whether you’re a professional artist or haven’t drawn since childhood, the urban sketching community welcomes all skill levels. The emphasis is on the process and shared experience rather than technical perfection. Many cities host regular “sketchcrawls” where groups meet to draw together at various urban locations.

Find a Community Near You

To learn more about Urban Sketchers and find a local chapter near you, visit the official Urban Sketchers website.