Introduction to Urban Sketching

We recommend arriving 10–15 minutes before the first session begins so you have plenty of time to settle in, enjoy your complimentary welcome drink and meet your fellow sketchers.

Our first session takes place in the studio, where you’ll get to know the materials, learn the fundamentals of Urban Sketching and build confidence before we head out into the city together.

The remaining sessions take place at a variety of carefully selected locations around the city. Depending on the weather forecast, we’ll sketch outdoors in parks, squares and lively streets, or settle into inspiring indoor locations such as cafés or beautiful public buildings. Every location is chosen to offer interesting subjects, new perspectives and a unique atmosphere.

Like true Urban Sketchers, we’ll carry our own lightweight folding stools, sketchbooks and drawing materials with us. Don’t worry—everything is light and easy to transport, and all locations are within comfortable walking distance of the studio.

Throughout the course, your instructor will introduce new techniques, demonstrate practical exercises and help you develop your observational skills while encouraging you to discover your own way of capturing the world around you.

Every session is a little different. Every location tells a different story.

Basic drawing experience is recommended, but not required.

If you’ve already completed our Introduction to Drawing Course, this is the perfect next step. If not, don’t worry—your instructor will guide you through the fundamentals of Urban Sketching while helping you build confidence in perspective, composition and sketching on location, week by week.

Throughout the course you’ll work with a variety of Urban Sketching materials, including graphite pencils, fineliners, waterproof pigment liners, watercolour paints, brushes and sketchbooks.

We’ll introduce each medium step by step, explain when and why Urban Sketchers use them, and help you discover the combination of tools that best suits your own sketching style.

After our introductory session in the studio, we’ll explore a variety of inspiring locations around the city.

Depending on the weather, we’ll sketch outdoors in parks, squares and lively streets, or choose interesting indoor locations such as cafés or beautiful public buildings. Every location is carefully selected to offer inspiring subjects and a unique atmosphere.

Like true Urban Sketchers, we’ll carry our own lightweight folding stools, sketchbooks and drawing materials with us. Everything is lightweight and easy to transport, and all locations are within comfortable walking distance of the studio.

No. We provide all the materials and equipment you’ll need throughout the course.

If you already own high-quality art supplies or would simply like to learn using your own brushes, paints or other materials, you’re very welcome to bring them along. Otherwise, just turn up and we’ll take care of the rest.

Yes.

Between sessions, you’re welcome to leave your sketchbook and materials safely at the studio if you prefer not to take them home each week.

Since many sessions take place around the city, you’ll naturally bring your sketchbook and drawing materials with you when we head out together.

The date shown during booking is the first class of your course.

All remaining classes take place on the same weekday, at the same time, over the following consecutive weeks, and normally at the same location.

Should there ever be an exceptional change of location, everyone in the course will be informed well in advance.

Our courses are generally scheduled on consecutive weeks, including public holidays. We find this creates the best learning experience and helps everyone maintain momentum.

Unless stated otherwise in the course description, classes will take place as scheduled, even if one of the dates falls on a national or public holiday.

Don’t worry.

If the same course is offered again and there are free places available, you’re welcome to join the missed class. Simply let us know by email beforehand.

In many cases, an even better option is to attend one of our Studio Classes. There, you can continue working on the project you missed while receiving support from the tutor. As Studio Classes are designed for independent projects, the tutor will assist you alongside the other participants working on their own artwork.

Our courses are taught by highly trained, active artists who combine their own artistic practice with teaching at Paint It Easy.

They’ll guide you through the course, share their knowledge and techniques, and help you develop your artistic skills in a relaxed and encouraging environment.

To ensure plenty of individual attention, our courses are limited to a maximum of 12 participants.

There is no homework.

That said, as with any creative skill, the more you practise, the faster you’ll improve. If you enjoy creating between classes, we can only encourage it!

Our courses are all about developing your creative skills, but we wouldn’t want to lose the Paint It Easy atmosphere.

Tea, coffee and water are always available during your classes, and before the very first session we usually celebrate the start of the course together with a glass of Prosecco—or a non-alcoholic alternative.

Cheers!

The natural next step is joining one of our Studio Classes. Studio Classes are designed for hobby artists who want to continue developing their skills while working on their own projects in a creative community. Your tutor is there to support and guide you whenever needed.

If you’d like to explore a different artistic medium, you’re also welcome to join one of our introductory courses. Or, if you’d like to continue in the same medium, our intermediate and advanced courses are the perfect next step in your creative journey.