i attended a live urban sketching session
One of my long-term resolutions was to immerse myself in a community of fellow creatives - be it artists, writers, musicians. Even though I moved here five years ago, I still found myself struggling to find a community of like-minded individuals who shared my interest for expressiveness and creativity in general.
Few weeks ago, I stumbled across a poster for an Urban Sketching Session, hosted by a local artist in my area, who - I discovered later - regularly hosts these sessions at various locations, amassing a crowed of creatives who come to sketch and share their art. Despite my lack of interest in architecture, let alone sketching buildings, I was intrigued.
The session started with a tour of the chosen location: a university campus, one of the oldest educational institutions in the capital. As we wandered through the prodigious campus, the host guided us in identifying modern structures, distinguished by their minimalist feel, from the historic ones. Most participants were more knowledgable about architecture than I was, yet the creative energy present was indubitably alluring.
We were then asked to sketch any of the buildings we found interesting, through which a domed structure etched with intricate carvings captivated me. Other people were immersed in their own sketches, be it with graphite, black ink, and even watercolors. The diversity in style and supplies was awe-inspiring, that I almost forgot my lack of experience in architectural sketching.
At the end, we displayed our sketches side by side, analyzing the distinctive ways some of us interpreted the same buildings. Some were meticulously detailed, while others preserved a more abstract quality. It was a potent reminder of the beauty of art, a personal reflection of how we see the world.
While I wasn't particularly connected with architectural drawing like I am with portraits, I still realized that, sometimes, opportunities are not given on a silver platter. We need to seek them out. What I mean is, if I didn't exert effort to put myself out there, how else would have I met these like-minded creatives? The act of showing up is how we forge meaningful connections with people who share our interests.
Find yourself a community. Being surrounded by others who inspire you will do wonders for your craft, as well as your well-being.