Happy Anniversary to Us!

Where Does the Time Go?

In the Beginning

It seems like yesterday a small group of sketchers met at the Art Institute to sketch. We had to take refuge in Cosi because of rain. And so began Urban Sketchers Chicago!  

Eight years ago it never crossed our minds that this tiny band of five would grow into a lively group of almost fifteen hundred! Nor did we envision hosting an annual Sketch Seminar in Chicago and even an International Urban Sketchers Symposium! 

TriState Sketch Crawl at the Bean.     Photo: Bob Glazauskis

Today

It’s a good thing we’re a creative bunch; the idea of hosting virtual meet ups never crossed our minds, yet, here we are meeting online to sketch and share. We’re lucky to have the benefits of camaraderie and sketching in the Covid 19 time of isolation.

The Benefits of Sketching

• Increases Creativity
• Strengthens Focus 
• Benefits Health
• Adds to Communication Skills.
• Increases Coordination

Here’s a link to a past post on the benefits of keeping a sketchbook.

 Happy Anniversary and keep on sketching and sharing!

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

What's Your View Point?

Sketch by Gail Dokucu

Our next virtual sketch meet is 

Sunday, April 26

12 pm to 3 pm

Here’s the theme for this week’s Virtual Sketch Meet-up:

One Spot, Two Views

Hosted by Gail Dokucu and Urban Sketchers Chicago

Pick a spot and do a sketch, then turn and sketch whatever lies in the opposite direction. For the banner sketch, I sat on my balcony and sketched the view to the east and then the view to the west. (Note, no need to do a layout like this. You do you!)

Let your imagination run wild! 
There are other ways you could interpret this theme as well.  You could sketch the same view but at different times; for instance, night and day. Or the same view with different media in each sketch.   

As always, the event will run from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Posting officially is from 2:45 - 3:00 p.m. but often we spend more time together beyond 3:00!  

Please post your sketches to our Facebook group at 2:45-3:00 p.m.

Please include #USkAtHome and #USkChicago so we can all find them!

See you Sunday!

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

Show and Tell Sunday April 19 !!!

Our next virtual sketch-meet is 

Sunday, April 19

12 pm to 3 pm 

The Theme 

Scavenger Hunt for Forgotten Treasures

Do you have things that you walk by everyday that used to make you smile, but you haven't really noticed in awhile? It could be the way the light comes through the window in the afternoon or something hanging on your wall that you haven't really looked at in ages. You get the idea. 

This theme is also a challenge.

• Find a forgotten treasure
• Sketch it and its surroundings 
• Post your sketches and share the smiles! 

Please post your sketches to our Facebook group at 2:45-3:00 p.m.

Please include #USkAtHome and #USkChicago so we can all find them!

See you Sunday!

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

Let’s Make a Mosaic of Celebrations!

Sketch by Robert Cordero

Folks, do please note that this week, due to holidays, we’re indulging in a departure from the USk Manifesto. Going forward, we’ll return to our regularly scheduled programming of drawing from life and virtually meeting up from noon to 3:00 on Sundays – until we can resume our real-world gatherings!

Let's Sketch 

Google Street View Houses of Worship!

Sunday, April12

12 pm to 3 pm 

Hosted by Evelyn Brody and Urban Sketchers Chicago

This month brings us Passover, Easter, and the start of Ramadan (did I miss any other holiday?). April also brings us tantalizingly beautiful spring weather. Let’s make a mosaic of celebrations!

We’ll pretend to go outside by using Google Street View to sketch the house of worship or place of contemplation of our choice. It could be where you would go in real life (if only . . .) or a local church, temple, mosque, or other structure that intrigues you. Let's try to stay in our neighborhoods so we get a sense of our community around your residences!

Those who are unfamiliar with Google Street View can find information here: https://support.google.com/maps/answer/3093484.

Please post your images to our Facebook page by 3:00 p.m. Sunday (and, because this week includes a holiday for many of our members, starting anytime). As always, all skill levels welcome. Please include #USkAtHome and #USkChicago in your caption.

Finally, of course, happy holidays and stay safe!


Many thanks to Robert Cordero for this (cropped) sketch of the University of Chicago's Rockefeller Chapel as our banner photo.

Looking forward to seeing your sketches Sunday!

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

Urban Uglies

Our next virtual sketch-meet is 

Sunday, April 5th

12 Noon pm to 3:00 pm 

#USKatHome Theme - Urban Uglies

As sketchers, we are constantly looking for a picturesque scene to capture in a sketch. But have you ever considered sketching a puddled alley, an overflowing dumpster, gas meter or old, rusted and dented cars? Sometimes the scene might strike you as boring or unexciting until you learn to look at it differently. Now is your chance. On the #USKatHome challenge, we will go in search of those ugly areas in your city or your home and seek to make beautiful sketches or paintings.

Please post your sketches to our Facebook group at 2:45-3:00 p.m. Short descriptions or long-winded philosophical treatises are encouraged. 

Please include #USkAtHome and #USkChicago in your caption. Discussion to follow!

Looking forward to your sketches Sunday!

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

A Time for Reflections!

Sketches by Mary Flock Lempa and Alex Zonis

Our next virtual sketch-meet is 

Sunday, March 29

12 pm to 3 pm 

The Theme - Reflections

You can interpret it literally - mirrors, shiny reflective objects, chromed bathroom fixtures, polished tables and counters, darkened windows, anything that you can think of. Or you can take it figuratively - what do you reflect on when you are stuck inside on your couch… childhood memories, existential philosophy, literature, music…

Please post your sketches to our Facebook group at 2:45-3:00 p.m. Short descriptions or long-winded philosophical treatises are encouraged.
Please include #USkAtHome and #USkChicago.
Discussion to follow!

See you Sunday!

Want to keep up to date by email? Fill in your email address in the place provided in the upper right corner under the banner. We look forward to hearing from you.

More, Please!

Banner sketch by Gail Dokucu - an experimentation in iPad drawing using the Paper by 53 app.

Join us for our second virtual meet-up! 

Sunday, March 22

from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 and beyond!  

Members had a great time with this last week, so we're keeping it going.

This week's theme is Experimentation.

Grab a tool or medium you don't normally reach for, or try out a technique that's new to you. We all have our favorite art supplies . . . and then there are those that rarely get any action. Here's the little push you might need to get those out and experiment.

As we did last week, please post your images to our Facebook page at 2:45-3:00 p.m. Discussion of which "new" tool you used and anything you may have learned is encouraged!

All skill levels are welcome. And if you’ve been having trouble making it to a real meet-up, here’s your chance! 

Finally, of course, stay healthy!