​Hi Reader, -- David here from SketchLikeAnArchitect.com​

This Monday we wrapped up the Urban Sketching Retreat in Prague - a week-long experience of sketching my home city with my good friend Alán Ramiro from See The Lines.

9 sketchers from around the world, 2 instructors, and sketchbooks everywhere.

I'm writing this on Friday and I'm still sorting through all the photos, sketches, and memories. Here are my favorite moments from the week.

We sketched a different spot every day.

Letná Park. Old Town Square. Prague Castle. The riverbank by Legion Bridge. And on the final day, Charles Bridge from a little beach by the water.

At Letná, we practiced drawing people - everyone took turns modelling for the group, 3 minutes each. Lots of laughing, lots of loose lines, and suddenly the "I can't draw people" excuse was gone.

My personal highlight?

Old Town Square, day three. I went all in on watercolor - which I'm still getting a grasp on - and is not exactly my comfort zone. And it worked. Tourists stopped to watch. A few even complimented the sketch. A stranger named Husky actually joined us for a quick sketching session.

The unexpected moments you really can't make up.

And then there was the bird.

Mid-sketch on the last day, a bird sitting on the tree above us left its mark. On me AND my sketchbook.

Direct hit.

It was so heavy I almost dropped the sketchbook, lol.

Photo evidence below, the whole group saw it, and honestly? It might be the most memorable "texture technique" of the retreat :D

We closed the week with a collaborative exercise - everyone's sketch passed through everyone's hands.

The spilled coffee experiment.

On the last afternoon we were making a number of quick sketches around the Old Town Square and when we sit down in the nearby cafe, the moment spurred the idea I've seen many times online - using coffee instead of watercolor.

We recorded the process - watch a short video on Instagram and Youtube:

Here's what stuck with me the most, though.

The best moments of the retreat happened between the sketches. Conversations on the walk to the next spot. A quiet coffee on a hidden patio. An improvised birthday croissant with a candle at the farewell dinner.

Sketching brought us together. But the connection, deep conversations, and me-time without rushing is what everyone took home.

Quick question: I have hundreds more photos and videos - would you like to see the creations from our attendees? Hit reply and let me know ;)

So now, I’m planning something new to build on top of this --
a way for you to experience this too, without needing a flight to Prague.

I'm thinking of putting together an online course called:

It’s still in planning — but it’ll be based on everything we shared and practiced during this and last year's retreats:

Real-world locations. Sketching techniques. Perspective tricks. Watercolor tips. Demos. Creative breakthroughs.

And a chance to join a supportive online community where you can share your work and get feedback.

👉 Would you be interested?​
If this sounds like something you'd love, let me know by filling out this short 3-minute survey:

🔗 I'm curious - Show me the Urban Sketching Survey​

Your answers will help me shape this into a course you’ll truly enjoy — something inspiring, practical, and creatively fulfilling.

Thanks so much for reading.

I’ll keep you posted!

Happy sketching,
​

David Drazil​, MSc. Architect → Sketcher → Author + Educator ​Helping people sketch with confidence - one line at a time Start Here → Everything | ​YouTube | Books | Courses + Downloads​

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