This sourdough bakery located in Carcross, Yukon, was NOT sketched on location. It was sketched a full 8 months after I visited it from a reference photo.
REBEL URBAN SKETCHER?
To be an “official” urban sketcher associated with the non-profit organization that started the movement, there are rules. You must follow the 8 points of the “manifesto”.
As I understand it the eight points, in summary form, are:
- Draw on location
- Tell the story
- Record time and place
- Be truthful
- Use any media
- Support and draw together
- Share online
- Show the world
This is beautiful and inclusive. Draw together…any media…share and show the world.
Normally I’m a rule follower.
BUT…
Which Rule Do I Break?
I don’t always sketch on location. Does that make me a Rebel Urban Sketcher?
I have sketched in coffee shops, restaurants, and vineyards. On beaches, in the desert, at water gardens, and more. All on location. I do understand the benefits of being immersed in the scene you are capturing.
However, sometimes completing a sketch in one sitting just isn’t practical. Here’s why I break the rules:
1. I work in layers.Layers take time. I will often spend 3-4 hours or more getting an urban sketch to a place that I feel is complete. I don’t always have 3-4 hours on location, especially when travelling in Vinny VAN Go!
2. I like to sketch my travel adventures – but I also want to experience them!After driving 9,000 km and crossing an entire country to make my way north of the Arctic Circle am I going to spend 3 hours sketching one thing, or am I going eat whale blubber, dip my toe in the Arctic Ocean, climb a pingo, talk to a local, and sketch it all later?
Bring on the blubber, Baby!
It’s makes much more sense to see and experience as much as I can while I’m visiting an area, and sketch it later. After all, I may never get to return to these places again!
3. I live in Canada.Half of the year it is -20 C and the other have of the year it is mosquito/blackfly season. Retreating indoors to finish a sketch is quite literally a matter of survival at times.
4. The process is meaningful to me.
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- I sit with the memories.
- I flip through my other photos from that day.
- I look stuff up about the history of the location we were in.
- I get a snack.
- I consider the story my sketch is telling and how I can share that story.
- I think weird thoughts like “What is the postal code for this post office I am sketching?” and I take the time to look it up.
I savor the time I spend working on a sketch. Sometimes, I drag out the finishing touches because I don’t want the sketching to end.
Why would I give all that up just to be “official”?
Stay Sketchy,
