Urban and Travel Sketching

Tutor: Liz Chaderton

19th June 2025
10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Cost Per Person: £50
Materials Cost (payable on day to tutor): £5

Book Workshop

Urban sketching is all about drawing what is around you. It does not imply that you only draw the urban environment, but rather it consists of capturing your personal vision of your immediate world, and the places you travel to. 

It is about everyday life – whether that is telling the story of your morning cuppa, the commute to work, the countryside you walk in or the pavements you pound. It includes travel sketching and often holidays are when we have time to capture our world. By drawing our surroundings, we observe more closely, we connect and are more engaged, as well as honing our skills. Even the quickest, most incomplete sketch will capture more of the moment than a snap on your phone. 

This will be a practical day, exploring different techniques and giving lots of options. We will discuss the most versatile materials and overcoming some of the barriers to sketching in public and how to build our confidence. 

Liz will introduce you to urban sketching and bring lots of samples for you to see. You will be using line and wash and there will be an opportunity to try out fineliners, brush pens, fountain pens, etc. There will be different pens, watercolours and water brushes for you to use (but not keep).  There will be a mix of demonstrations and lots of time for you to sketch. The cloisters will provide cover if the weather is not great, so we will be outside no matter what! No experience is required.

You will be given an A5 hardback sketchbook on the day, which is yours to take away and fill.

What to bring:

• If you have a light weight portable stool, please bring it. 
• Dress for the weather. The cloisters will keep us dry, but if it is chilly do wear layers. If it is warm, bring sunscreen, a hat (better than sunglasses) and a water bottle. 
• You do not need to bring any drawing or painting materials, but if you do have pens and paint you wish to use, please feel free to bring them.