Looking for interesting or undiscovered places to Urban Sketch?  Here’s a handful that you probably haven’t considered, but should!

Sketchy Location #1 – Legislative Library

Legislative libraries across Canada are quiet but powerful research hubs that exist to support parliamentary democracy. They are housed near provincial parliament buildings.

No matter your province, they have a rich and ornate atmosphere.

The best part? They are open to the public.

Because they are designed for research there are large tables and comfortable seating where you are welcome to linger for hours. This makes them ideal indoor sketching locations.

However, don’t ignore their exteriors. The buildings that house these libraries are old and historically significant in every province.

Every province and territory has one (except the Yukon ) so almost every Canadian Urban Sketcher has access to one.

Sketchy Location #2 – Hospital Chapels

What you get varies greatly from hospital to hospital both in size and decor, but hospital chapels can be very interesting locations to sketch.

They often have beautiful stained glass, ornate alters, or interesting lighting features that are lovely to sketch.

Always open to the public, generally very quiet, and always with seating where you can linger for as long as you wish.

Sketchy Location #3 – Animal Shelter

This one is for my animal lovers.

If you enjoy sketching animals most SPCA or animal rescue locations allow guests to visit the animals and encourage volunteers to spend time with them to help the future pets socialize with humans.

Talk to your local animal shelter and see if they are open to you hanging out and sketching the cats, dogs or rabbits.

They may even wish to use your sketch to promote the adoption of the animal you have captured.

Let your urban sketching obsession do good in the world!

Sketchy Location #4 – Behind the Coffee Shop

I’m willing to bet that there isn’t anyone reading this that hasn’t done an urban sketch of a coffee shop, either inside or out. But did you ever think to look and see what’s going on behind the coffee shop?

I’ve found some really interesting things by wandering around to the back of retail storefronts and restaurants…back porches piled with supplies, seating areas where staff take their breaks, dumpsters.

More than once I have discovered entire outdoor kitchens!!

It’s worth a peek to see what’s going on back there!

Sketchy Location #5 – The Post Office

I’ll admit to it…I have a bit of an obsession with Canada Post Offices.

First, they are everywhere. Even the smallest little village has one.

Second, they can be housed in any and every type of building. The variation is amazing.

Third, I’m a little bit afraid they are among the dying breed of buildings like train stations, post-and-beam barns, and small rural churches.

I feel like I have to sketch them now, while they still exist.

The next time you pick up a package or need some stamps, take a good look at your local post office. I’ll bet it’s worth taking the time to sketch.

More Sketchy Locations?

Obviously, the places you sketch depends a lot on the place where you live. If you sketch a lot, it can start to feel like you’ve captured all the best historical buildings, iconic landmarks, and gorgeous landscapes nearby. And maybe you have!

I challenge you to forget about the typical places you would go to sketch, and see if you can find some sketchy locations that you overlooked. Let me know where you’ve been in the comments!