With skyscrapers, parks, bridges, museums, and so much more, each city is unique in its own special way. Whether you’re inspired by street scenes or interior settings, urban sketching offers a creative way to get outside, discover your surroundings, and record what you see.
Share your original urban sketch scene, and you could be one of five artists to win a prize pack worth more than $500.
HOW TO ENTER
Sketch an original urban sketch scene from observation — all mediums are welcome. Click the “Submit an Entry” button on this page between May 6 and May 19, 2019, upload a photo of your piece, and complete the submission form. Please share what mediums you used in the “Caption” field. Open to US residents, ages 18 and older. Limit one entry per artist.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Adhering to Urban Sketchers’ core principles outlined below (urbansketchers.org), judges will look for strong cohesion in both technical execution and presence of a core concept, as well as how these elements work together to form a visually commanding presence. Judges will also consider the originality of the idea, innovative engagement of the materials used, and bold artistic vision.
Who are the Urban Sketchers?
1. We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation.
2. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and where we travel.
3. Our drawings are a record of time and place.
4. We are truthful to the scenes we witness.
5. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles.
6. We support each other and draw together.
7. We share our drawings online.
8. We show the world, one drawing at a time.
(Source: urbansketchers.org)
THE PRIZES
Upon receipt of all entries, judges will vote on their favorite city scenes by May 26th.
The top five entries selected by Judges will win a prize package worth more than $500 including the following:
• Lyra Rembrandt Art Design Graphite Pencil Set (22230-0129, a $17.49 value)
• Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pads, 100 sheets, 9″ x 12″ (12403-1123, a $8.99 value)
• Strathmore Hardbound 500 Series Mixed Media Art Journal, 8½” x 11″ (13800-1011, a $32.99 value)
• Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic Water-Resistant Artists’ Ink, Primary Colors Set (21107-2009, a $43.99 value)
• Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Oil-Based Colored Pencils, Set of 72 (22049-0729, a $140.30 value)
• Derwent Sketching Collection, Set of 12 (20404-0009, a $25.99 value)
• Derwent Graphik Line Makers, Pack of 6, Black (22574-2026, a $23.09 value)
• Derwent Inktense Pencils, Set of 12 (22051-1012, a $35.99 value)
• Derwent Watercolor Pencils, Tin Box Set of 12 (20505-1009, a $27.49 value)
• Blick Artists Serving Artists Zipper Pouch (15770-1001, a $9.99 value)
• Blick Artists Serving Artists Pencil Sharpener (64604-1001, a $7.99 value)
• Blick Artists Serving Artists Eraser, Pack of 3 (64603-1001, a $7.99 value)
• Utrecht Artists’ Watercolors, Basic Set of 6 (01766-1009, a $129.32 value)
Winners will be notified via email and posted in our “Winners” tab on or after May 27, 2019.