Urban Sketching Handbook: Architecture and Cityscapes

F39_Job:05-41203 Title: RP-The Urban Sketching Handbook

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Á When drawing the

White House, regular

sketcher Guido Seoanes

was confronted by the Secret

Service. “This is the third time

that we see you around the

area, what are you doing?”

they asked him. “Just exercis-

ing my freedom of sketching,

sir,” he replied.

Nice job. Are you an artist?

People will stop and peek over your shoulder when you draw on the street.

Don’t brush off their positive feedback by dismissing your work or skill with

toss-off comments like “It’s just a sketch” or “I’m not really an artist.” You don’t

want to insult their taste. Take the opportunity to ask them about the building

you are sketching. Do they know about its history? Do they have a story about

that place? Remember that urban sketching is about immersing yourself in your

city or the places you travel. You’ll miss out if you wear headphones or don’t

welcome interaction.

Can I have that sketch?

It will happen sooner or later. Someone will want your sketch, the original or a

digital file, for a brochure, a calendar, a save-the-date wedding card, or just to

decorate a room. You may be flattered but, please, take my advice: Think twice

before you agree to let others use your artwork. You may offer the sketch in

exchange for valuable exposure, or because the person asking is a relative or

a friend, but, for example, you don't want a business to put it on T-shirts without

fair compensation. You see, in some cases you may be undermining the work

of professional artists and illustrators who draw for a living. When in doubt,

consult a professional illustrator. The takeaway here is simple: Teach people that

a sketch has value. While it may have only taken you a few minutes to make, its

quality is the result of many more hours, even years, of learning and practice.

Sketching in public puts you in contact with the world. Be prepared to handle

human interaction in a courteous manner.

You have the right to draw in public spaces.

As long as you are not trespassing on private property, you should be able to

draw to your heart’s content, just like news photographers can’t be prosecuted

for taking photos on the street. Buildings are not “copyrighted.” Nor can a

security guard chase you away from a public space because you are drawing

the building he’s guarding. Of course, laws vary by country—and you should

always respect the law—but I think we can all agree that sketching is part of our

freedom of speech.

ETIQUETTE

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Architecture and Cityscapes

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