At Chalk N Pencils, we believe in inspiring creativity in adults through engaging and educational art experiences. Urban sketching has become increasingly popular in Singapore, offering a unique way to capture the vibrant essence of city life. On occasion we will organise plein-air sketching sessions for our adult students, allowing them to explore and draw the urban landscape.
The Essence of Urban Sketching
Urban sketching is about capturing the world around you as it happens. It involves drawing on location, whether it’s bustling city streets, serene parks, or quaint cafes. The charm of urban sketching lies in its spontaneity and the ability to record fleeting moments with quick, expressive strokes.
Urban sketching offers numerous benefits:
- Mindfulness: It encourages you to slow down and observe your surroundings more closely.
- Creativity: It challenges you to interpret and depict the world in your unique style.
- Connection: It fosters a deeper connection with the environment and its people.
Getting Started with Urban Sketching
If you’re new to urban sketching, here are some tips to get you started:
Choosing the Right Sketching Materials
- Sketchbook: Opt for a portable sketchbook with thick pages that can handle various media.
- Pencils and Pens: Start with basic pencils and waterproof ink pens. These are versatile tools for sketching on the go.
- Watercolours: A small watercolour set can add a splash of colour to your sketches.
Finding Inspiring Sketching Locations in Singapore
- Historic Districts: Chinatown, Little India and Clarke Quay offer rich cultural scenes and vibrant architecture.
- Parks and Gardens: Gardens by the Bay and the Singapore Botanic Gardens provide lush, green spaces perfect for plein air sketching.
- Cityscapes: The Marina Bay and Singapore River area offers stunning urban views and modern architectural marvels.

Tips and Strategies for Successful Urban Sketching
To elevate your urban sketching skills, consider these advanced tips:
Practising Perspective and Composition
- Practice drawing perspective grids to understand how buildings and streets converge.
- Experiment with different compositions to find dynamic and engaging layouts.
Using Light and Shadow
- Pay attention to the direction of light and how it casts shadows.
- Use contrasts between light and dark areas to add drama and interest to your sketches.
Incorporating People and Movement
- Capture the essence of people with quick, gestural lines.
- Show movement by repeating elements or using directional lines.
Keeping a Regular Sketching Practice
- Dedicate time each week to sketching in different locations.
- Review your work regularly to identify areas for improvement and celebrate progress.

You can even bring your kids along! The session above was with Weekend Sketchers at Harbourfront.
Community and Resources
For those interested in further exploring urban sketching, consider joining local groups that hold frequent outdoor sketching sessions:
- Urban Sketchers Singapore: USkSG is a local community of artists passionate about showing SG through on-location sketching. Sketchwalks are organised monthly on the last Saturday of the month.
- Weekend Sketchers: A get-together to paint, draw, sketch, share art experiences and capture joy moments together, mostly on Sundays.
- Cafe Sketchers Singapore: A friendly group that combines the love of sketching with visits to various cafes around the city.
Building a Strong Foundation for Urban Sketching
Our adult art classes focus on developing essential drawing skills that form the backbone of urban sketching. By mastering techniques like composition, perspective, and creative expression in our studio sessions, you’ll build a solid foundation that enhances your ability to capture the vibrancy of urban environments. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, these classes will elevate your urban sketching skills to new heights.
For more information or to book a trial class, visit our Adult Art Class page today.
FAQs
How can I improve my confidence in urban sketching?
Improving confidence comes with practice and experience. Start by sketching familiar places and gradually challenge yourself with more complex scenes. Joining a sketching group can also provide support and encouragement.
What are some good warm-up exercises for plein air sketching?
Begin with quick, five-minute sketches to loosen up. Focus on gesture drawing to capture the scene’s essence without worrying about details. These warm-ups help you get into the flow and build confidence.
How do I handle curious onlookers while sketching in public?
Engaging with onlookers can be a positive experience. Be friendly and open to conversations. Use headphones if you prefer to focus, and remember that most people are simply curious and appreciative of your art.
What should I bring to an urban sketching session besides art supplies?
Bring essentials like a hat, sunscreen, water, and a portable stool for comfort. A small bag to carry your supplies and a camera or phone for reference photos can also be helpful.
Can urban sketching be combined with other forms of art?
Absolutely! Urban sketching can be a starting point for more detailed works or integrated with other media like photography, digital art, or collage. It offers a versatile foundation for various artistic explorations.
Conclusion
Urban sketching offers a delightful way to explore the city, capture its essence, and express creativity. At Chalk N Pencils, we provide workshops and classes that guide you through the fundamentals and help you develop your skills. Join us for a trial class where we can run through the basics of urban sketching with you at our studio.
For more information and to book a trial class, visit our Adult Art Class page or Book a Trial now.
Everything, from the setup to the guidance provided, was handled with care and creativity. The studio had a welcoming atmosphere, and the staff made sure every child felt involved and had fun. A big thank you to the team for making this such a memorable and joyful celebration! Highly recommend for a unique and hands-on party experience.
knowing totally nothing then trying to draw still life / live figure drawing for 3h can be quite daunting lol. so folks who prefer more structured and step by step lesson agendas may struggle here.
trials are x2 sessions for ~$90 and you can see which sort of classes you like.
i didn’t like that 1 of the instructors touched up my work quite a bit to demonstrate, though i didn’t say much then (so that’s also on me)
the founder of the studio (priscilia) is generous and patient. appreciate that. could see she tried to suggest things for me to try more aligned to my interests!
Planning was smooth and easy. I appreciate Priscilla’s quick and helpful responses. Almost no frills.
If you have not visited the premise, you should! It is absolutely tasteful, very pleasant and conducive environment. My children attends art lessons here as well and they have been yearning to go back week after week.
Thank you Chalk N Pencils!!!
I appreciate the small teacher-student ratio and attention provided. More importantly, the art work was truly created by my son.
The art activity was a huge hit with all the children. Each child created their own unique masterpiece, guided by friendly and patient instructors who made the process fun and engaging. The studio provided high-quality materials, and the kids were so proud of their artwork by the end of the session.
The party setup was fantastic, with thoughtful decorations and plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. The staff went above and beyond to accommodate our requests, and they made sure everything ran smoothly, from the activities to the cake cutting.
It was heartwarming to see how much fun the kids had, and the parents were equally impressed. Isabel and her friends had an unforgettable time, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate her special day. A big thank you to the entire team at the art studio for creating such a memorable experience for all of us!
Highly recommended for anyone looking to host a creative and stress-free kids’ party!
During the party, teachers were experienced and patient. The kids enjoyed themselves!
The arts studio is clean and activities were well organised. There were numerous cafe options for the parents to hang out as well while waiting. There is another outlet in Joo chiat as well.
What I especially appreciate is how the activities not only foster creativity but also provide a wonderful sensory experience. The projects are designed to help develop their motor skills, making learning fun and interactive. It’s amazing to see their confidence grow as they experiment with different materials.
Overall, this art class has been a fantastic experience for our toddlers, and we can't recommend it enough!
The whole process of organising the party was easy and fuss-free. The studio is bright and inviting. 10/10 recommend for anyone looking for an art party session!
Attended a rubber stamp carving workshop yesterday for Design Week and really enjoyed myself. Strongly recommend anyone who is around the area to pop by and take a look. There's also a corner where you can shop!
The New Bahru studio also has a lot of creative works around for a relaxing and inspiring environment.
Now I’m considering taking the adult painting class!
The atmosphere is relaxed, and it's clear that the staff genuinely care about nurturing the kids' artistic talents. My kid left with huge smiles and their own masterpieces! We’re dropping by during our vacation, and we can’t wait to see if it opens up near our neighborhood! We’ll definitely be returning for more classes and events. Highly recommend for any young artist!
We love the small class sizes here. The teachers are patient and possess pure art professional skills and experience. There is no need to worry about children being crammed and losing the collaboration and originality of artistic creation.
In the child's works, I saw a lot of her own creative concepts and ideas, and the use of art materials is also quite diversified. I can see the hard work of the teacher team! My children look forward to going to art class every week😊
Recommended for parents who want their children to immerse themselves in art creation!
The art camp has very interesting themes and the teachers are friendly and patient
My son attended a 3 days program at their Katong outlet (2 Artists Impressed Painting & 1 Pokeball Sculpture)
My husband & I were surprised when we received a mid day update on his art work progress as well as a final day artwork . The staff had also been very professional and courteous.
Would definitely be signing up my son for their future programs and recommend others too .
I like how some of these art camp activities got her interested in fine art. She's in love with impressionism now, and she has been begging me to take her to see some famous impressionist paintings in person. I also appreciate how she was fed decent quality lunches while she attended, for other kids activities feature junk food far too often.
Overall, I think the Chalk n Pencils art camps are good wholesome fun, and I would definitely send my daughter back.
Join Our Community
Eager to start your artistic journey? Join our community of artists in Singapore today! Whether you're looking to learn, create, or simply enjoy the company of fellow art enthusiasts, Chalk N Pencils is the place to be.