I was in Brooklyn last month and decided to start urban sketching. There is a misconception that anytime you try a new art form you have to have all the right tools and do everything perfectly. But that’s just not true.

These are the steps I took to start urban sketching near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, NY. You can follow these steps when you try urban sketching yourself.

Pack My Travel Art Kit

We talked about a travel art kit on the blog recently. Now you know where I ended up using it.
My kit contains all the basics. I have a few types of pencils, erasers, paper, etc.

Your kit can include watercolors, charcoal, or whatever suits your needs, as we’ll see in the next step. What you include in your art kit when you start urban sketching depends on your goals and location.

Chose an Art Medium

At first, I was going to use watercolors. In the end I decided on bringing pencils only. Using pencils only is easier when you’re in a space where you don’t have much room or don’t want to carry too large of an art kit with you.

Watercolor paints are the easiest type of paints to travel with. They are the least messy and you won’t need much space to carry them. However, you will still need water, which is an added item to bring.

Find a Subject to Draw

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to draw. Initially I was thinking I would draw a brownstone. However, this building and all its details drew me in.

Look for subjects that stand out to you and mean something to you. Don’t feel the urge to sketch what is “expected.”

Suggestions for urban sketching subjects:

• Landmark buildings
• Skylines
• Train stations
• Park scenery

Do Not Seek Perfection

Urban sketching is all about experiencing art at a unique location. It’s not about creating a masterpiece. Enjoy your time spent capturing your subject. Take in your surroundings.

If you live near a city or are traveling to one soon, start urban sketching. Start getting your travel art kit ready now.