First the basics: common terminology & principles
We follow the urban sketching manifesto guidelines - basically to meet and draw live on location and share our work. Our events are free to attend and inclusive.
We meet regularly (at least once a month) for a few hours and refer to these as sketchmeets
Sketchmeets usually have a meeting point where we say hello, a suggested trail/meeting points where we shall be, and an agreed meeting point and time at the end for a throwdown.
A throwdown is where we put all sketches and take a photo of the lot to share online but also to speak to each other about what we have drawn, noticed and enjoyed - there may be coffee or tea at this point at the location we do the throwdown.
What counts as an urban sketch? Here's a handy video helping you determine if your sketch is an urbansketch (remember it needs to be drawn on location and show a sense of the place - it doesn't have to be a famous location or even urban).
What to expect if you're new?
It's perfectly normal to be nervous when you first join a motley crew of urban sketchers. We are friendly. We meet up at the start and then let you go and sketch and come back for the throwdown which is the most fun bit. That's when you realise everyone draws differently and you can share tips. It's informal and friendly and welcoming to all. Most of all it allows you to just sketch and record a time and place in your own style and share it with others. If you feel you can't draw or are scared of doing so in public - rest assured, we all did and this setting does you good.
Sometimes people sketch together but more often, they sketch in the knowledge that another sketcher is nearby.
You can also get to know Reading (and the surrounds) in a new way thanks to our collaborations with events and people in Reading. This helps us celebrate Reading in a different way.
Usually we have our events on a Sat or Sun morning and there tend to be 5-10 people max
We've also started doing some weekday or evening events and will consider how manageable this is.
Equipment? What should I bring?
Bring your own materials/media. A simple pen and paper should be enough to get you started or you can you apps on your phone/tablet to sketch digitally. Android has Autodesk Sketchbook and iOS has Procreate and these are both very popular but there are others.
I personally bring a spare set of paper and don't mind if you want to try some of my materials with permission.
Children - can they join?
Only if accompanied by their responsible adult who will look after them and if the venue allows for it. Our sketchmeets are informal.
What's next?
The group's Facebook events page will list events or the @RdgSketchers twitter account will post about them
We're intending to just list our events on a site - more to follow in the new year.
Some dates for your diary but you're best off checking our facebook or twitter feeds for up to date info.
Dec - Sun Dec 8th 10:30-12:30 - In town centre taking in some of Santa run.
Jan - date and location tbc - Portrait party (date tbc)
Feb - Sun Fev 9th 10:30-12:30- In and around MERL. Meet at MERL cafe.
Mar - Sat Mar 14th 10:30-12:30- Henley- details tbc.
June - 12-14 USK UK chapters - UK chapters gathering in Leeds to sketch there. Meet other sketchers from other UK chapters. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2381467252167408/
We're excited about more rehearsal sketching, a collaboration with RLab (Reading Hackspace) for (laser) etching our sketches, hosting a workshop by a USK trainer and are also hopeful about getting a community grant.
We're thinking of having our own exhibition/drop-in day about urban sketching in Reading -we're proud of our years individually and collectively recording Reading and the surrounds and excited that we can add to Reading's heritage.
How to help us organise/collaborate
If you have an idea re great locations in and around Reading then do let us know so maybe we can organise together.
Things we ask about/consider:
Common questions for folks partnering with us?
All of the above plus
Can you post our photos? How do you share the Reading Sketchers' images?
Hashtags to look for and use
#uskreading , #usk, #urbansketching, #urbansketchers alongside #rdguk
Accounts to look for
twitter: https://twitter.com/RdgSketchers
fb - https://www.facebook.com/groups/590208911160549/
instagram - https://www.instagram.com/RdgSketchers/
Come join us and explore Reading in a new way.
We follow the urban sketching manifesto guidelines - basically to meet and draw live on location and share our work. Our events are free to attend and inclusive.
We meet regularly (at least once a month) for a few hours and refer to these as sketchmeets
Sketchmeets usually have a meeting point where we say hello, a suggested trail/meeting points where we shall be, and an agreed meeting point and time at the end for a throwdown.
A throwdown is where we put all sketches and take a photo of the lot to share online but also to speak to each other about what we have drawn, noticed and enjoyed - there may be coffee or tea at this point at the location we do the throwdown.
What counts as an urban sketch? Here's a handy video helping you determine if your sketch is an urbansketch (remember it needs to be drawn on location and show a sense of the place - it doesn't have to be a famous location or even urban).
What to expect if you're new?
It's perfectly normal to be nervous when you first join a motley crew of urban sketchers. We are friendly. We meet up at the start and then let you go and sketch and come back for the throwdown which is the most fun bit. That's when you realise everyone draws differently and you can share tips. It's informal and friendly and welcoming to all. Most of all it allows you to just sketch and record a time and place in your own style and share it with others. If you feel you can't draw or are scared of doing so in public - rest assured, we all did and this setting does you good.
Sometimes people sketch together but more often, they sketch in the knowledge that another sketcher is nearby.
You can also get to know Reading (and the surrounds) in a new way thanks to our collaborations with events and people in Reading. This helps us celebrate Reading in a different way.
Usually we have our events on a Sat or Sun morning and there tend to be 5-10 people max
We've also started doing some weekday or evening events and will consider how manageable this is.
Equipment? What should I bring?
Bring your own materials/media. A simple pen and paper should be enough to get you started or you can you apps on your phone/tablet to sketch digitally. Android has Autodesk Sketchbook and iOS has Procreate and these are both very popular but there are others.
I personally bring a spare set of paper and don't mind if you want to try some of my materials with permission.
Children - can they join?
Only if accompanied by their responsible adult who will look after them and if the venue allows for it. Our sketchmeets are informal.
What's next?
The group's Facebook events page will list events or the @RdgSketchers twitter account will post about them
Some dates for your diary but you're best off checking our facebook or twitter feeds for up to date info.
Dec - Sun Dec 8th 10:30-12:30 - In town centre taking in some of Santa run.
Jan - date and location tbc - Portrait party (date tbc)
Feb - Sun Fev 9th 10:30-12:30- In and around MERL. Meet at MERL cafe.
Mar - Sat Mar 14th 10:30-12:30- Henley- details tbc.
June - 12-14 USK UK chapters - UK chapters gathering in Leeds to sketch there. Meet other sketchers from other UK chapters. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2381467252167408/
We're excited about more rehearsal sketching, a collaboration with RLab (Reading Hackspace) for (laser) etching our sketches, hosting a workshop by a USK trainer and are also hopeful about getting a community grant.
We're thinking of having our own exhibition/drop-in day about urban sketching in Reading -we're proud of our years individually and collectively recording Reading and the surrounds and excited that we can add to Reading's heritage.
How to help us organise/collaborate
If you have an idea re great locations in and around Reading then do let us know so maybe we can organise together.
Things we ask about/consider:
- Is there somewhere sheltered in case of bad weather we could congregate?
- What is the accessibility of these locations?
- Are there loos nearby or at the location?
- Is the place open at the time that suits us?
- Is there somewhere we can grab a warm or cold drink if need be?
- Is there a limit to the number of people who can attend?
- Are there any rules imposed by the location/event?
- What's the policy re accompanied children attending?
Common questions for folks partnering with us?
All of the above plus
- Is there a limit to the number of people who can attend?
- Are there any rules imposed by the location/event? (e.g. do we have to be quiet? can we walk in and out?)
- Would you encourage people in your group to join in? We love it when people do.
Can you post our photos? How do you share the Reading Sketchers' images?
I've put my own photos of the throwdown in this post so have given myself permission.
All content posted under the banner of Reading Sketchers was created by individual artists who each retain copyright and control of their images (artwork and photographs). Retweeting or posting links is the best way to share Reading Sketchers' work as this maintains the original context and credit to artists. Before using images in any other way (downloading, posting directly to your social media or website, etc.) you should contact the specific individual artist of the image to obtain permission and agree how they will be credited. If you're not sure who owns the copyright for a particular image you want to use, please do ask.
Hashtags to look for and use
#uskreading , #usk, #urbansketching, #urbansketchers alongside #rdguk
Accounts to look for
twitter: https://twitter.com/RdgSketchers
fb - https://www.facebook.com/groups/590208911160549/
instagram - https://www.instagram.com/RdgSketchers/
Come join us and explore Reading in a new way.
