Posted 2 months ago
Tue 15 Oct, 2024 04:10 PM
Whether you're a first-year student or have lived in Coventry your entire life, you're probably familiar with its intriguing sights. Today, I'll be exploring how you can tap into your artistic talents by drawing inspiration from these local gems.
What and where can I draw?
One of the most notable places to draw would be the Cathedral located right behind the hub. This grand piece of history could make for an excellent dramatic piece. There’s many angles and times of day to explore, every drawing of this building will end up different!
The war memorial park, located closer to the train station, is great for both architecture, and nature. This could provide for plenty of drawing opportunities, or could simply be a nice place to relax and doodle away!
The lobby of your accommodation is always bustling with people, making it the perfect spot to settle into a comfy seat and see if someone intriguing walks by to inspire your creativity. Plus, it provides a safe and cosy atmosphere for your work.
You could also practise your urban sketching in one of the many cafes located around the city, for a quieter environment, a place like the Waterstones café, on top of the bookstore, would be perfect for this.
But what is urban sketching? And what other ways can we study the world around us?
Urban Sketching:
Urban sketching focuses specifically on urban environments and the people within them. This practice emphasises spontaneity and observation in real-time settings. This can be done pretty much anywhere and can help with landscapes, and perspective!
Want to focus more on the general public and your anatomy skills? Then plein air drawing maybe for you.
Plein air (outdoor) drawing:
Drawing everything you see, whether that be the surrounding environment, or the people inside it.
Where can I get my materials?
If you haven’t already got yourself a sketchbook or drawing tools, don’t worry! The city centre provides plenty of spaces to purchase these: The Works, Flying Tiger, Poundland.. And it doesn’t have to be anything fancy. So long as you have paper and a pen or pencil, you can get started right away. Or, if you have a tablet, you can install free art apps and work on that, just don’t forget your charger!!
Why should I do urban or plein air drawing?
Practising is the most valuable investment of an artist's time, and exploring various methods of practice can greatly enhance your skills. This not only builds your confidence but also enriches your creative journey. And if you are a university student studying an artistic subject, it will help aid your development and enhance your portfolio. In addition to its practical benefits, doodling can be quite therapeutic, allowing your mind to wander freely, so why not explore the city and make a day out of it!
