I chanced upon the
concept of urban sketching in 2017 whilst browsing the art shelves in Foyles
Bookshop in London: a quick flick through the book, Urban Watercolour Sketching
by Felix Scheinberger was enough: why didn't anyone tell me about urban
sketching sooner?! I come from a scientific background - a clinical biochemist
by day, working for the NHS. It is an immensely fulfilling and interesting
role, although apart from the occasional flow chart, requires little or no
artistic skill.
My first official urban
sketching experience was with USk London in December 2017 to the V&A in
South Kensington. There was no turning back after that - I've become an urban
sketcher! I promptly signed up for Liz Steel's online watercolour course which
not only taught me how to mix watercolour properly, but inspired me even more
to delve further into this amazing activity.
I attended my first USk
symposium in Porto in 2018. Never before, have I met so many amazing and
talented people in one place - such diversity yet with a single great passion -
urban sketching! I learnt so much from amazing teachers like Matthew Brehm and
Shari Blaukopf. I made so many friends and met sketchers I've been following on
social media for a while before then; and Porto itself, a beautiful city full
of character.
In the past 3 years, I
have learnt and absorbed skills from workshops, symposia and fellow sketchers.
They have only gone on to fuel the fire inside me for more urban sketching. For
me, the greatest 'aha' moment has been when I realised that I'll never again be
bored of waiting, for anyone or anything
(train/bus/airport/cafe/street-corner), as long as I carry my urban sketching
kit with me!
During these
challenging times, knee-deep in a pandemic, sketching has been a life line for
me. I feel humbled and grateful for the opportunity to share my experience and
contribute more to USk London chapter as an admin.
Instagram: @sasketcher_rw
Blog: www.sasketcher.co.uk
