Know It All?

Urban Sketchers Chicago is excited to be hosting the 2017 Urban Sketchers 8th Annual Symposium. We'll be welcoming over 450 urban sketchers from around the world to meet, sketch, and share our city! As a teaser of all the sights in store for you next year, over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing some of our sketches (both new and old) of our beautiful, diverse, and exciting Chicago. 

Morning light in the alley

There's always something new to learn! I spent Saturday in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood at the workshop "FEARLESS Sketching in Pen, Ink and Watercolor with Adriana Gasparich."  What a fun day! The workshop was held in Ingrid Albrecht's studio in Ravenswood.

As an artist, no matter how much experince I have or how much I know (or think I know) there's always more to learn. That certainly was the case last Saturday. Thank you Adriana and Ingrid for an inspiring, friendly and encouraging day!

These sketches were done in a Stillman & Birn Zeta Series sketchbook.

Afternoon light 

I'm looking forward to the wealth of knowlege coming our way at the Symposium next summer!

Navy Pier– Something for Everyone

Navy Pier, Chicago

Urban Sketchers Chicago is excited to be hosting the 2017 Urban Sketchers 8th Annual Symposium. We'll be welcoming over 450 urban sketchers from around the world to meet, sketch, and share our city! As a teaser of all the sights in store for you next year, over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing some of our sketches (both new and old) of our beautiful, diverse, and exciting Chicago. 

Whatever the season, weather, or time of day, Navy Pier is a great place to draw. In fact it's one of my favorites!  -Barbara

Rainy day at Navy Pier

Winter evening at Navy Pier

Spring at Navy Pier

Glorious autumn day at Navy Pier, even though a boat docked and blocked my view!

The Hidden Beauty of Chinatown Chicago

Urban Sketchers Chicago is excited to be hosting the 2017 Urban Sketchers 8th Annual Symposium. We'll be welcoming over 450 urban sketchers from around the world to meet, sketch, and share our city! As a teaser of all the sights in store for you next year, over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing some of our sketches (both new and old) of our beautiful, diverse, and exciting Chicago. 

Chicago's Chinatown is easily accessible with many forms of public transportation and my favorite mode is the Chicago Water Taxi. There is something relaxing about taking a boat ride on the South Annex of the Chicago River to arrive at this bounty of color and detail. It is not the same as riding a San-Pan in China, but equally as nice.

Arriving at the Water Taxi stop in Chinatown sets you at the doorstep of Ping Tom Memorial Park and a dramatic red and yellow pagoda-styled pavilion. I was immediately captivated by the graphic nature of the lines, curves and exquisite details of the tiny dragon figures located on each apex. 

If sketching plants and foliage is your thing, then you have to check out this one-of-a-kind dwelling so covered with vines that it should be called a tree house. Located just steps from the Ping Tom Memorial Park and a sight to see in person.

Urban Sketchers –Meeting, Sketching, Sharing in Chicago!

Urban Sketchers Chicago is excited to be hosting the 2017 Urban Sketchers 8th Annual Symposium. We'll be welcoming over 450 urban sketchers from around the world to meet, sketch, and share our city! As a teaser of all the sights in store for you next year, over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing some of our sketches (both new and old) of our beautiful, diverse, and exciting Chicago. 

One of my favorite places to sketch – The South Garden, the Art Institute of Chicago, 2009

One of my favorite places to sketch – The South Garden, the Art Institute of Chicago, 2016

Recently, I was going through some old sketchbooks and found myself saying over and over, "Oh, that's one of my favorite places to sketch!" Then it dawned on me, I love sketching in Chicago – anywhere. I hope you will, too. 

– Barbara