IMAGINE THIS...   

You’re standing in front of a historic building in Galveston, sketchbook open, pen in hand.
The lines are loose at first but then the building starts to take shape.

The arches, the windows, the perspective of the street…it all comes alive on your page.

You feel connected, not just to the drawing, but to the story of the building itself.
You notice details a photo could never capture.
And for the first time, you’re sketching with clarity, confidence, and joy.

This is the heart of urban sketching.

And now, you can learn it with us at the Bertrand Williams School of Design Visualization.

WHY URBAN SKETCHING?

In a world of camera phones and AI images, sketching feels radical.

Because sketching makes you see.
It slows you down, grounds you in the present, and connects you with the space around you.

Unlike a photo, a sketch carries your perspective, your choices, and your hand.

It’s part observation, part story, part art. And it makes you not just a better designer or artist, but a better observer of the world.

WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?

This isn’t about being “good at sketching.” It’s about being curious, willing to observe, and ready to see the world differently.

This 2-day workshop is designed for:

• Interior designers who want to sharpen their eye, strengthen their storytelling, and bring more clarity into their design process.

• Artists looking to expand their practice and add fresh techniques to their creative toolbox.

• Sketchers of all levels, yes, even complete beginners, who want a structured way to build confidence and freedom on the page.

• Travelers and creatives who crave a deeper way to experience a city, slowing down, sketching, and connecting with the story of each place.

• Aspiring bloggers and storytellers who want to document their journeys through sketching rather than photos, creating a visual diary of where they’ve been.

• Those curious about selling their art, we’ll also explore ways to present and sell your sketches as original, meaningful pieces of work.

If you’ve ever wished you could capture your travels with more than a snapshot, or if you’ve longed to make your sketchbook a place of pride and possibility, this workshop was made for you.

WHO THIS WORKSHOP IS NOT FOR?

This isn’t a fit if you’re looking for:

• A quick shortcut. Urban sketching is about slowing down, observing, and practicing. If you want instant results without putting pen to paper, this won’t be your space.

• Digital tools or AI rendering. We won’t be opening laptops or teaching software. Everything here is done by hand, pen, ink, and paper.

• Perfection. Urban sketching embraces imperfection, expression, and personal style. If you want rigid, photo-realistic images, this workshop won’t feel aligned.

• Passive learning. This is hands-on. You’ll be sketching indoors and outdoors, practicing techniques in real time. If you’d rather sit back and watch, this probably isn’t for you.

• People who don’t enjoy travel, history, or architecture. We’ll be walking, sketching buildings, and connecting with the stories of Galveston. If that doesn’t light you up, you won’t get the most out of this experience.

This workshop is for people who want to learn by doing, explore through sketching, and leave with skills they can take anywhere in the world.

WHY THIS WORKSHOP MATTERS FOR YOU.

You’re probably thinking, “I can’t even sketch a stick figure, how could I possibly sketch a building?”

I get it. I’ve been exactly where you are.

Here’s the truth: sketching isn’t about talent. It’s about learning how to see, slowing down enough to observe, and building simple techniques step by step. Once you learn the basics of sketching in 3D, something shifts, you suddenly have a tool you can take anywhere.

For me, sketching started as a way to slow down. A moment of calm. A form of therapy and reflection.

But what began as personal practice opened up an entirely new world:

• I sketch when I travel.

• I choose destinations based on what I want to draw.

• My sketchbooks have become both souvenirs and stories, blog post and more.

And that’s what I want for you.

Urban sketching isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. It’s about noticing details a camera misses. It’s about capturing a place with your own hand and eye. And once you learn, it becomes not just a skill, but a joy.

If you’ve ever wanted to feel more creative, more connected, and more confident in your sketching weather traveling or just sketching for art, this workshop will show you how.

THE URBAN SKETCHING LINE UP

OLD RED

Ashbel Smith Building, University of Texas Medical Branch Campus

Also known as “Old Red,” this iconic Romanesque Revival building was completed in 1891 and designed by Nicholas J. Clayton.  It was UTMB’s first medical school building and has endured storms, flooding, and decades of history. Over the years, it’s been preserved and repurposed, and today part of it serves as the Old Red Medical Museum, telling Galveston’s medical heritage story through exhibitions.

MUMMY HOUSE

Bonus : Sketch Walk and Tour on Halloween Night

This one is a surprise and to keep the mystery a suspense we will tell you about it when you get here. This story will blow your mind!

Ashton Villa

Broadway Avenue

Built in 1859, Ashton Villa is one of Galveston’s most famous mansions and the first brick home on the island. Its Italianate style, iron verandas, and dramatic presence have made it a landmark for over a century. During the Civil War, it served as headquarters for both Confederate and Union forces, and it even survived the devastating 1900 hurricane. Today, Ashton Villa stands as a preserved piece of Galveston’s rich, and sometimes haunting, history, making it a perfect subject to capture in your sketchbook. You won't believe the ghost picture I have from touring this house!!!

Moody Mansion

Home of the Moody Family

Completed in 1895, the Moody Mansion is a 28,000-square-foot home built in a Romanesque style with grand arches, towers, and intricate details. It survived the Great Hurricane of 1900, which destroyed much of Galveston, and later became the residence of the wealthy Moody family. Today, it stands as a museum filled with period furnishings, telling the story of Galveston’s resilience and prosperity. With its dramatic design and layered history, the Moody Mansion offers endless inspiration for sketching.

Trueheart Building

The Historic Strand District

Located in the heart of The Strand historic district, the Junior League Building is a classic example of Galveston’s Victorian-era commercial architecture. Its tall windows, ornate brickwork, and elegant façade reflect the city’s prosperity during the late 1800s. Today, it continues to be a cornerstone of the community, standing proudly among The Strand’s storied streets. With its distinctive details and lively surroundings, it’s an inspiring subject to bring to life in your sketchbook.

Bryan Museum

Orphanage 

Once an orphanage built in 1895, this striking Gothic Revival building now houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from the American West. With its arches, detailed stonework, and historic presence, the Bryan Museum is as much a piece of history as the treasures inside. Its rich architectural character and layered story make it a fascinating subject to capture in your sketchbook.

BEFORE THIS WORKSHOP YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF SNAPPING PHOTOS YOU'LL NEVER LOOK AT AGAIN...

And feeling unsure how to capture a building by hand, or even questioning whether you’re “artistic enough” to sketch at all.

After just two days, that changes. You’ll leave with the confidence to sketch on location anywhere you travel, an understanding of perspective that no camera could ever teach you, and a sketchbook filled with expressive drawings you’ll be proud to share. Most importantly, you’ll experience architecture, history, and place in a deeper, more personal way—one that stays with you long after the ink has dried.

"I will travel anywhere to sketch great buildings and eat good food"

SHANNIN