Urban Sketching in Iceland — start here
Urban Sketching is an international movement in which people draw their surroundings — streets, buildings, people and landscapes — on location, in real time. In Iceland, it is especially exciting because of the unique light, colourful houses and dramatic scenery.
What is Urban Sketching?
Urban Sketchers (USk) are an international social media movement founded in 2007 by journalist Gabriel Campanario in Seattle. The basic rule is simple: draw on location, not from a photograph. People meet regularly to sketch together — in cities, towns, in cafés and out in nature.
Why start?
- 🎨 Trains your drawing skills — regular practice in a real environment
- 👁️ Improves visual attention — you notice details you would otherwise miss
- 📓 Picture diary — the sketchbook becomes a personal journal
- 🌍 International community — share on #urbansketchers on Instagram
- 🧘 Relaxation — mindfulness and presence through drawing
What do you need?
One of the best things about Urban Sketching is how little equipment you need:
The basics
- Sketchbook — A5 or A4, hard cover that can open flat. It is good to choose watercolour paper if you want to use colour
- Fineliner pen — waterproof (e.g. Pigma Micron, Uni Pin) in 0.3 and 0.5 mm
- Pencil — HB or 2B for preliminary sketching
- Eraser
If you want to add colour
- Travel watercolour set — a small, compact set with 12–24 colours
- Water brush — a brush with a built-in water reservoir
- Small water pot or water bottle
💡 Tip: Start with just a pen and sketchbook. Add colour when you are ready.
The best places in Iceland
Reykjavík
- 🏠 Skólavörðustígur — colourful buildings, Hallgrímskirkja in the background
- ⚓ Grandi / Old Harbour — boats, the harbour area, Harpa
- 🌿 Tjörnin — beautiful pond, birds, the City Hall
- ☕ Laugavegur — cafés, shops, street life
Around the country
- 🏔️ Akureyri — lovely streets and mountain views
- 🏘️ Ísafjörður — old rows of timber houses
- 🌊 Seyðisfjörður — colourful buildings and the fjord
- ⛪ Blönduós, Siglufjörður, Stykkishólmur — small-town atmosphere
5 tips for getting started
- Start small — draw a coffee cup, a chair, one window. Don’t start with Hallgrímskirkja!
- Set yourself a time limit — 15–20 minutes is enough. You do not need to finish everything
- Draw with pen first — you learn more when you cannot erase
- Focus on shapes, not details — the big forms matter more
- Share! — #urbansketchers #uskiceland on Instagram
Everything you need
At Föndurlist you will find sketchbooks, fineliners, watercolour sets and pencils — everything you need to begin your Urban Sketching journey. If you want to learn more about watercolours, take a look at our watercolour guide.
And if you are on Facebook, search for "Urban Sketchers Iceland" to find an Icelandic community of sketchers! 🎨