Urban Sketching: How to Capture Expressive Scenes Quickly

Class Description:

Unlock the joy of urban sketching in this engaging class designed for artists of all skill levels! Join us as we explore the art of quickly capturing expressive scenes that bring life to your sketchbook. You'll learn techniques to simplify complex urban environments, use perspective effectively, and develop a spontaneous drawing style.Throughout this session, we'll delve into essential materials, practical techniques, and hands-on practice, enabling you to create beautiful sketches that convey the essence of the urban landscape. Whether you're a seasoned sketcher or just getting started, you'll leave inspired and ready to explore your surroundings with fresh eyes.

What You Will Learn:

  • Materials Overview: Discover the best sketchbooks, pens, and papers for urban sketching.
  • Perspective Basics: Quickly review 1-point and 2-point perspective, reinforcing how to create depth and realism in your work.
  • Dynamic Sketching: Explore techniques for sketching loosely while effectively capturing details, and learn how to choose focal points for your compositions.
  • Pen Techniques: Embrace the practice of pen drawing to build confidence in your lines, experimenting with hatching, cross-hatching, and line weight variations.
  • Hands-on Practice: Engage in a guided practice of sketching a simple urban scene.

Supplies You'll Need:

  • A sketchbook suitable for your preferred medium (preferably lightweight and portable)
  • A selection of pens (varying nib sizes and types of ink)

About Instructor

Shelby Abrahamsen (Foxsy)

Shelby is the co-founder of Foxsy and the creator at Little Coffee Fox. She is a professional watercolorist, letterer, and artist with a passion for teaching others to reintroduce creativity back into their lives. Shelby lives in Chicago, IL with her husband Jon and her pets Summer, Basil, and Korra.

191 Classes

+7 enrolled

Class Details:

  • 📊Level: Beginner
  • Time: 2 Hours, 5 Minutes

Class Pass includes:

  • Lifetime Access To Class

Foxsy Membership includes:

Ratings and Reviews

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What's your experience? We'd love to know!
kolina-winburn
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

I found this class more helpful than the hours of urban sketching videos that I have watched over the last few years. I really love how urban sketching encourages you to let loose and release perfectionism. This class is full of really great tips and ideas and includes a reminder section on the basics of perspective (which I know I always need!).

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Barbara Miller
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

This is the first Foxsy class I have taken, and I loved it! Shelby delivered an excellent class that covered the basics for beginners like me. I have always wanted to do urban sketching, but didn’t know how to begin. Now I know! Thanks, Shelby for the techniques, and especially your enthusiastic encouragement. I look forward to taking many more Foxsy classes.

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Lawanna Lawrence Bean
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

Most of this was all new to me. Very interesting, can't wait to practice!

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Lois
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

I've yearned to urban sketch but didn't know how to begin. Now I do, and I'm so excited!

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LindaH
Posted 1 year ago
Live Class Review

It was a fun Class Shelly gave us a lot of really good tips on how to draw Houses and Buildings

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