From 3-D TO 2-D — Members of San Diego Urban Sketchers gather at Coronado Ferry Landing to sketch the view.
Urban Sketchers has reached the hearts of many across the globe, including those here in San Diego with the mission of “show the world, one drawing at a time.”
Urban sketching has recently caught the attention of thousands, who meet in their local communities and create art of their surrounding their goal to share the experience and share their art with the world.
“We see every walk of life in Urban Sketchers,” said Lydia Velarde, organizer of the San Diego Urban Sketchers. “It’s wonderful that something like this can bring so many together. We wouldn’t have met without it.”
Velarde has been a resident of North County San Diego for over 20 years and shows her love for the community and her love for art through urban sketching. Velarde was contacted by correspondents of Urban Sketchers to be in their book featuring artists from around the world. Velarde started to organize local Urban Sketchers meetings five years ago. The group has grown from three to 20 members who visit regularly, along with several others who pop in on occasion.
Urban Sketchers events are available for artists of every skill level. The group is always accepting new members through their Facebook group “San Diego Urban Sketchers.”
“You learn from whoever is sitting next to you,” said member Alicia Peterson. “It’s the best part.”
Members spoke highly of each other’s skills and personalities, all acting as a family brought together by watercolors and graphite.
“The people that come are super friendly, very inviting,” said Rhonda Blys, a two-year member. “I’m still a very new sketcher and the people are fabulous.”
At meetings, sketchers greet then scatter for inspiration. They are separate but also together, sharing the same goal of recreating their surroundings.
After two hours of creating their pieces, the crowd gathers to display their artwork with their nametag. The artists set down their still-wet paintings and shaded graphite sketches, and admire the individuality of each one.
Sketcher Hillary Ann said she uses this group to explore her artistic creativity.
“You get to get out and see different things,” Ann said. “You get to be a tourist in your own city.”
