Who are we?
We’re a group of local artists gathered as Urban Sketchers Gdańsk, an official chapter of the international non-profit organisation Urban Sketchers based in Washington.
The idea of urban sketching is based on sketching from our own observation. We sketch on location, plein-air or in interiors. We don’t recreate memories or draw from photographs. It’s important to us that we create in a group, which gives us the opportunity to share our impressions, learn from each other and spend time together.
Our group is one of the few officially recognised chapters of Urban Sketchers in Poland. We meet regularly and our events attract more and more people from Tricity, the metropolitan area that Gdańsk is the heart of. We often host sketchers coming from other cities or even countries.
Our works are shown mostly on our social media - our chapter’s profiles as well as private accounts of our members. We’re working on organising art shows presenting our achievements.
USk GDAŃSK IN MEDIA:
OUR ADMINS
Julia Zienkiewicz
What I value most about Urban Sketching is its unique perspective on exploring urban spaces and the ability to capture moments in a way that stays in memory more vividly than photographs. Since July 2023, during the warmer months, I have been regularly organizing sketchwalks for the members of Urban Sketchers Gdańsk that help discover sometimes unexpected areas and provide an opportunity to practice quick sketching and form simplification. In daily life, I study at a doctoral school and consider myself more of a chemist than an artist - I sketch for enjoyment. I like setting myself various "projects" and going on sketching daytrips to nearby cities, traveling by public transport.
IG: ULTRVMARINE
Kamil Mączkowski
As an admin, I continuously strive to develop our artistic community. My goal is to encourage members to explore Pomerania far and wide, discovering not only well-known places but also hidden corners. In the group, I introduce engaging contests and workshops to help develop drawing skills and inspire creative self-expression.
IG: BOSKI_SKETCHING
Jacek Krenz
Sketching has become a daily habit for me, like drinking coffee or reading. When traveling, I create visual reports; in Gdańsk, I become a "stranger" in my own city - the need for a more attentive gaze allows me to rediscover familiar places and see them differently. I use a sketchbook instead of a camera, capturing landscapes, urban life scenes, and architecture.
IG: KRENZJACEK
Marek Tarnawski
I am an architect by education, but I have been working as a graphic designer for many years, and in this profession, the ability to observe gives me a better sense of what I do. Urban sketching has become the perfect tool for developing this skill. Keeping a sketchbook with me at all times and regularly going out to draw in the city has become a habit. What I appreciate most about urban sketching is the unlimited creative freedom it offers. It doesn’t take much time to see the results of your work, which brings satisfaction and helps let go of perfectionism. Moreover, urban sketching has become a way to discover new places and meet interesting people. When sharing sketchbooks over coffee, it’s fascinating to see how differently each person approaches drawing
IG: MAREK_TARNAWSKI_USK
- We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation. This is the heart of our practice. We stand in the heart of the city, not behind a camera lens, and let the world around us inspire our lines.
- Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live, and where we travel. We capture not just buildings and landmarks, but the fleeting moments, the everyday lives, and the human connections that weave the fabric of our cities.
- Our drawings are a record of time and place. Our sketches become snapshots of a city in constant flux, capturing the essence of a moment that can never be replicated.
- We are truthful to the scenes we witness. We strive to represent the world around us honestly, with all its imperfections and unexpected beauty.
- We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles. There is no one right way to urban sketch. We embrace the diversity of techniques and perspectives that make our community so vibrant.
- We support each other and draw together. This is not a solitary pursuit. We learn from each other, share inspiration, and encourage one another to keep sketching.
- We share our drawings online. We believe that the art of urban sketching should be accessible to everyone. By sharing our work, we hope to inspire others to see the world with new eyes.
- We show the world, one drawing at a time. Through our sketches, we offer a unique perspective on the cities we love, connecting people across cultures and borders.
USK MANIFESTO:
kontakt@urbansketchersgdansk.pl