In a digital age where collecting and sharing travel memories is just a few convenient clicks on a handheld device, drawing what you see live, on location—a practice known as urban sketching—is an act of resistance. Urban sketching ditches the immediacy and instant gratification of mobile photography. It prompts us to slow down in our fast-paced lives, to observe and truly connect with our surroundings, which makes it an ideal pursuit for any avid traveller.

Sounds interesting? Here’s what you need to know about becoming an urban sketcher yourself and how to get started on the journey.

It’s a global movement

In 2007, Seattle-based journalist and illustrator Gabriel Campanario created an online forum for art enthusiasts to share stories and drawings of places they live and visit. The community grew, and with increased visibility, led to the inception of the non-profit organisation known as Urban Sketchers (USk for short), with the mission of promoting the practice of on-location drawing as a means to “See the World, One Drawing at a Time.”

The movement that started in Seattle, Washington, USA, has since grown into a global movement with over 400 USk chapters, bringing together some 120,000 sketchers from over 70 countries.

Observation, not art

Even though urban sketching tends to attract participants from visual art disciplines—artists, illustrators, and architects—the movement is inclusive to people from all walks of life. You don’t need good drawing skills to get started, since you will not be judged on the technical merit of your final pieces.

Obviously, the more you sketch, the better you will eventually get, and you will begin to see your distinct style emerge, but that’s not the main objective. The goal of urban sketching is to capture the essence of what you see from direct observation and to let your sketch tell the story of your surroundings, as seen by you. No pressure, no expectations.

In the process, you will be sharpening your observation skills, which will in turn give you a newfound curiosity and appreciation for the world around you.

Essential tools and materials

It doesn’t cost much to become an urban sketcher. For starters, you can build a basic sketching kit comprising a dedicated sketchbook and a few pencils or pens. It is recommended that you use a sketchbook with at least 100gsm acid-free paper of archival quality, as this will prevent your sketches from deteriorating in storage over time. Depending on your skill level and familiarity with art supplies, you may want to add colouring tools to your kit, such as markers, watercolour, and colour pencils.

Besides art supplies, you may want to get a small foldable stool or mat for when you need to sit and sketch outdoors. Make sure to store your sketching tools in a way that’s portable, easily accessible on the go, and safe from the elements when you’re out and about.

Join a local chapter

Community is at the heart of urban sketching. In the spirit of the USk Manifesto, sketchers support each other in their journey to document the world and learn from one another. So, if the thought of sitting outside alone to sketch holds you back, seek out fellow urban sketchers in the area to join you. It’s as simple as finding out whether there’s a local chapter where you live and getting involved.

There are USk chapters in over 500 cities. So, you are hardly alone anywhere you go. If you happen to travel to a city with a USk chapter, simply check their social media to find out about their next sketch meet, and show up.

Explore the world and collect sketches

With so much to see and sketch out there, being an urban sketcher gives you plenty of reasons to travel. The best part is, you don’t have to always venture far. Most USk chapters would organise weekly get-togethers somewhere in town to sketch a familiar spot or landmark. Make it a habit of showing up for these gatherings, and you will soon come to see the familiar with new eyes.

For those ready to venture further with their sketchbooks, there are two notable annual events for urban sketchers to look forward to. The first is the Urban Sketchers International Symposium, an educational event organised by USk and held in a different city and country every year. The event offers workshops, demos, sketch walks, plus opportunities for participants to meet new friends, improve their skills, and explore the host city. Similar in spirit and practice, though not officially affiliated with USk, is the AsiaLink Sketchwalk (ALSW) that is held in a different Asian city every year.

There is a sense of accomplishment to filling up pages of a sketchbook that snapping photos can never compare to. Once you’ve caught the sketching bug, your eyes will always be peeled for structures and forms to capture on paper. What could make for better travel souvenirs than pages of drawings rendered with your own hand?