1.
Urban Sketching at Rutgers
Nov. 19th 3-3:30pm, Megan Lotts, Art Librarian

2.
Can you Draw?
Urban Sketching is a movement created in 2007 by Seattle journalist and illustrator,
Gabrile Campanario. Although similar to plein air painting (to paint outdoors), a term
which was made most well-known by the French Impressionists during the 19th century.
Urban Sketching looks at the ideas of visual storytelling in a virtual environment, and the
educational value of on-location drawing. This movement encourages drawing spaces and
places on location, rather than drawing from photographs.
Urban Sketching brings together an international group of people who “Show their world
one drawing at a time”. The goal is simple-sketch what you see, in or outdoors, and share
online. You don’t needto be an artist, expert or someone who draws all the time. During
this workshop participants will learn more about Urban Sketching, how to incorporate
these ideas into teaching, and how this wellness activity stimulates the brain and relieves
stress. If you think you can’t draw or have never taken a class, this workshop is for you. No
experience required, just a willingness to learn and try something new.
This project is a collaboration between the Department of Landscape Architecture and the
Rutgers University Art Library. Have questions about this project please contact Megan
Lotts, Art Librarian at megan.lotts@rutgers.edu. Or learn more at the Urban Sketch
research guide.

3.
Urban
Sketchers
Manifesto
• We draw on location, indoors or out,
capturing what we see from direct
observation.
• Our drawings tell the story of our
surroundings, the places we live and
where we travel.
• Our drawings are a record of time and
place.
• We are truthful to the scenes we witness.
• We use any kind of media and cherish our
individual styles.
• We support each other and draw
together.
• We share our drawings online.
• We show the world, one drawing at a
time.

4.
Drawing vs Sketching
Drawing- are made with pencil, pen, or crayon, and
sketching is about capturing one’s surroundings, or to
draw what you see.
Sketching- A sketch is a rough or unfinished drawing or
painting often made to inform a more finished
product. But for me, one of the most interesting
aspects of Urban Sketching is the similarities to
scholarly research. Both of these activities rely on
observation, analysis, storytelling, and advancing the
work within one's discipline.

5.
Activity 1: Six
Line Drawings

6.
Benefits of Sketching & Drawing
• Brain break
• Hone observation skills- “stop & draw the roses”
• Try something new
• Sketch books are a place to keep ideas and somewhere you
can go when you are having a slow day or need inspiration

7.
Starting with a
sketch
Luis Infante, a student worker at the Libraries, explores Disegni

8.
Incorporating
sketching into your
courses

9.
Activity 2:
Quick drawing

10.
Create,
Share,
Document RU Life!
Tag us on social media:
#Ruusk2020
#Rutgersurbansketching

11.
Want to learn
more?
https://libguides.rutgers.edu/urbansketching/home

12.
Questions?
Megan Lotts, MFA, M.L.I.S
Art Librarian
She/her/hers
Rutgers, the State University
of New Jersey
megan.lotts@rutgers.edu
www.meganlotts.com

13.
References
• https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-
d&q=dictionary#dobs=sketching
• https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-
d&q=dictionary#dobs=sketch
• “Urban Sketching mission.” Last updated in 2020.
http://www.urbansketchers.org/p/our-mission.html