Learn Urban Sketching Workshops

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Learn Urban Sketching Workshops *

Illinois & West Virginia Workshops Now available

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Illinois & West Virginia Workshops Now available *

Illinois, McHenry County College

A watercolor illustration of a historic Woodstock Court House building with multiple windows, a door, a street lamp, and a blue sky background.

Step by Step: How to draw a street in perspective - 7/13/2026

Feeling overwhelmed by urban landscapes? Not sure where to start with perspective? In this workshop, you’ll learn the basic principles of perspective drawing and how to apply them to sketch architecture with greater confidence. Urban sketching is the practice of drawing the world around you, capturing what you see in real time. It’s a great fit for artists of all skill levels, including beginners, and for anyone who enjoys being part of a creative, like-minded community. As part of a worldwide movement, you can take your sketchbook anywhere and connect with other chapters while traveling.

Register
Colorful sketch of a church building with large orange roof, yellow walls, lush green trees, bicycles, and people walking outside.

Blocking shapes to work faster - 7/27/2026


Sometimes, when urban sketching, time is limited—whether you’re on your own or sketching with a group. In this workshop, you’ll learn simple blocking techniques to quickly capture your subject so you don’t miss a moment of your artistic adventure. Urban sketching is the practice of drawing the world around you, capturing what you see, live and in person. It’s a perfect hobby for artists of all skill levels, including beginners, and especially for those who enjoy connecting with a creative community. As part of a worldwide movement, you can take your sketchbook anywhere and join other chapters while traveling.

Register
Colorful sketch of five people sitting at a table, engaged in a discussion or meeting. The table has various bottles and objects, with a small orange animal figure on it. The individuals are of different ages and appearances, some wearing glasses, and are depicted with expressive, loose lines and watercolor-like coloring.

Drawing People: Removing the fear! - 8/10/2026

There are many ways to approach drawing people in urban sketching. In this workshop, you’ll learn a variety of techniques—from using simple shapes to capturing lively crowds—so you can sketch figures with more confidence. Urban sketching is the practice of drawing the world around you, capturing what you see in real time. It’s a great fit for artists of all skill levels, including beginners, and for anyone who enjoys being part of a creative, like-minded community. As part of a worldwide movement, you can take your sketchbook anywhere and connect with other chapters while traveling.

Register
A watercolor sketch of a man wearing sunglasses and a blue shirt, holding an acoustic guitar, standing outdoors on a sunny day with lush green trees in the background, and a speaker to the left.

The Power of Light and Shadows - 8/24/2026

Do your sketches feel flat or lacking dimension? As the saying goes, “Color gets all the glory, while value does all the work.” Learn what that means and how to apply it to take your sketches to the next level. Urban sketching is the practice of drawing the world around you—capturing what you see in real time. It’s a great fit for artists of all skill levels, including beginners, and for anyone who enjoys being part of a creative, like-minded community. As part of a worldwide movement, you can take your sketchbook anywhere and connect with other chapters while traveling.

Register
Hand-drawn illustration of food items including fried jalapenos, deep-fried rolls, and a burger patty, along with a cup of iced tea, decorated with colorful handwritten text and drawings of palm trees and sunset.

Travel Journal: Food and Drink - 9/14/2026

Many artists capture their travel experiences not only through landmark sketches, but also through food and drink. In this workshop, you’ll explore how to document meals, settings, and atmosphere in your sketchbook—creating rich visual memories that engage all the senses. Urban sketching is the practice of drawing the world around you, capturing what you see in real time. It’s a great fit for artists of all skill levels, including beginners, and for anyone who enjoys being part of a creative, like-minded community. As part of a worldwide movement, you can take your sketchbook anywhere and connect with other chapters while traveling.

Register
A hand-drawn and painted collage of a cityscape with various buildings, colorful backgrounds, and text elements layered on paper. The collage includes sketches of buildings, a large tree, and handwritten annotations.

Exploring Different Mediums - 9/28/2026

One of the most enjoyable aspects of urban sketching is experimenting with different art mediums. Your sketchbook becomes a space to explore ideas, techniques, and personal style. In this workshop, you’ll try a variety of mediums, learn how to use them effectively, and discover creative ways to combine them to enhance your work. Urban sketching is the practice of drawing the world around you, capturing what you see in real time. It’s a great fit for artists of all skill levels, including beginners, and for anyone who enjoys being part of a creative, like-minded community. As part of a worldwide movement, you can take your sketchbook anywhere and connect with other chapters while traveling.

Register

West Virginia - Beckley Art Center

A watercolor sketch of First Baptist Church on Neville Street in Beckley, with a brown brick facade, arched windows, a brick cross on the roof, and a sign reading 'First Baptist Church'. There are trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Blocking in shapes to work faster - 5/25/2026

Sometimes, when urban sketching, time is limited—whether you’re on your own or sketching with a group. In this workshop, you’ll learn simple blocking techniques to quickly capture your subject so you don’t miss a moment of your artistic adventure. Urban sketching is the practice of drawing the world around you, capturing what you see, live and in person. It’s a perfect hobby for artists of all skill levels, including beginners, and especially for those who enjoy connecting with a creative community. As part of a worldwide movement, you can take your sketchbook anywhere and join other chapters while traveling.

Register
A mixed-media collage sketch of urban buildings, trees, and a street scene with layers of torn paper, paint, and ink outlines, including handwritten notes and dates.

Exploring Different Mediums - 6/29/2026

One of the most enjoyable aspects of urban sketching is experimenting with different art mediums. Your sketchbook becomes a space to explore ideas, techniques, and personal style. In this workshop, you’ll try a variety of mediums, learn how to use them effectively, and discover creative ways to combine them to enhance your work. Urban sketching is the practice of drawing the world around you, capturing what you see in real time. It’s a great fit for artists of all skill levels, including beginners, and for anyone who enjoys being part of a creative, like-minded community. As part of a worldwide movement, you can take your sketchbook anywhere and connect with other chapters while traveling.

Register