What you'll learn
Learn to sketch urban street scenes with pen and wash with our drawing short courses in Sydney!
Learn how to capture your world in a sketchbook with this urban sketching course.
Explore your city with a professional artist to capture street scenes, beautiful buildings and public spaces in sketched compositions - then bring them to life with the tone and texture of watercolour wash. You'll develop and practice your outdoor urban sketching skills while learning new techniques to create depth and focus in your drawings. You will have the opportunity to explore different sketching styles, practice capturing a sense of time and place - and the value of your personal response - in your compositions.
Once mastered, this truly portable art form is a great skill to take travelling, or to explore your own environment through visual journaling.
The session starts in our classroom, where you will meet the group before walking to the chosen locations for a day of drawing outdoors.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this urban sketching course, you should have:
- Refreshed your knowledge of basic rules of perspective in the built environment
- Built confidence in using washes by progressing through single, two colour and limited palette washes
- Learned how to use colour washes to create a sense of depth and focus, and to capture local colour
- Learned the fundamentals of tonal value in the context of the built environment
- Used drawing exercises to explore different sketching styles
- Understood the importance of capturing a sense of time and place, and the value of your personal response
- Learned to make better-informed decisions about equipment
- Learned tips for creating more confident line styles
- Explored approaches for producing journals.
Course content
What will be covered in this urban sketching course?
- Observation
- Simplify a complex scene
- Perspective and composition
- Proportion, volume, light and shade
Intended audience
Who is this urban sketching course for?
This course is designed for a range of drawing abilities. It is recommended that students have previously completed Urban Sketching: Drawing Course or Drawing Course for Beginners or have some drawing experience.
Course materials
What to bring to class
Please dress appropriately for the weather, wear walking shoes and bring a water bottle, lunch and/or snacks.
Bring your own materials: click here for materials list
*Some coloured paints will be provided.
Additional information
Please note the following:
The course will go ahead in most weather, with undercover/indoor destinations used if it rains. We will only cancel if the weather is particularly inclement.
Course testimonials
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Ann said: I thoroughly enjoyed the class. It was at all times a relaxed & friendly atmosphere. Eleanor was a wonderful teacher. I enjoyed the classroom experience with desks to get established on & resources & books at hand. The rooftop & the park were good to draw from and the close proximity gave more time to spend on the task at hand. I will be back for more classes.
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David said: Nice relaxed environment to learn new drawing techniques. Ellie's enthusiasm for her craft is inspiring and her workshop had the right balance of instruction and creative time.
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Jennifer said: Tutor Elinor selected good locations and demonstrated watercolour techniques for Urban Sketching. Excellent combination of sketching on location and in classroom. Plenty of individual assistance, encouragement and positive feedback.I took both Urban Sketching courses to get the knowledge and confidence to join the Canberra Urban Sketching group. Thank you for providing these courses. We don't have them in Canberra. Thank you to Elinor and her excellent teaching.
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Miranda said: Elinor is a very approachable, skilled and generous teacher, very engaged with her work... I learned so much, and it was great fun. The classroom and excursion outside to the park were excellent - the only problem with the venue was the lift, which stopped with my friend who has special mobility needs in it.
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Jo said: Our instructor was accomplished and great at adult education. this was a calming and special course. Thank you
Course tutors
Elinor Pickard
Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us
Small classes
A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.
Short & sweet
Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.
Facilities & equipment
Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.
Easy, secure enrolment
Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process, and you can change your mind up to 7 days before class starts.
Quality instructors
Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.
Business or pleasure
Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.
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Classes Online Courses
<p>Learn to sketch urban street scenes with pen and wash with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/visual-arts/drawing">drawing short courses</a> in Sydney!</p>
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...If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Urban Sketching: Pen & Wash Course
If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Urban Sketching: Pen & Wash Course