This past weekend, I had the pleasure of joining fellow sketchers for "That Weekend in New Plymouth" hosted by Urban Sketchers Taranaki. The event brought together Urban Sketchers from across NZ including Wellington, Lower Hutt, Hawkes Bay, Taupo, Tauranga, Auckland — and of course, the local Taranaki sketchers — for three days of creativity, community, and capturing unique views of New Plymouth's beautiful landmarks.
A curated experience
First, I must extend my heartfelt thanks to the Urban Sketchers Taranaki chapter for their incredible organisation and hospitality. The weekend's schedule was thoughtfully curated, leading us to a variety of spectacular sketching locations across New Plymouth. From lush native bush to architectural gems and of course their incredible coastal walkway and views out to sea, each spot offered unique challenges and inspiration.
The supportive atmosphere created by the organising team made us all feel welcome. It's this kind of community-building that makes the Urban Sketchers movement so special across the globe, and in New Zealand in particular.
Five things I learned (or re-learned) during that sketching weekend in New Plymouth
1. Join your local sketching group
There's something magical about sketching alongside others who share a passion. Across the weekend, I was constantly inspired by watching others work, seeing their unique approaches, and feeling the collective creative energy. Everyone was so generous with conversation and information.
Being out in the world with like-minded individuals not only makes the experience more enjoyable but also pushes us to investigate new techniques and perspectives. The conversations, laughter, and shared moments between sketching sessions added a dimension to the experience.
2. You don't need tons of equipment
One observation that struck me during the weekend was the wide variety of sketching setups—from minimalist pen-and-small-sketchbook combinations to more elaborate watercolour kits. But even the more elaborate were still very lean and minimal.
A simple setup, no matter your medium, let's you concentrate on what really matters: observing and communicating the scene before you. I usually haul around a backpack of far too many supplies that apart from any thing, is heavy! I took a simple ArtTools satchel and watercolour paletter and found it meant more simpler sessions over the New Plymouth weekend yielding more focused results.
It was also fascinating to check out other sketchers' carrying solutions—from repurposed cosmetic bags to custom-built sketching kits. We all develop systems that work for our particular needs, and sharing these practical solutions is always an interesting part of drawing together.
3. Test your colour before committing
A practical lesson reinforced this weekend: always test your colours before applying them to your sketch. Keeping a small scrap of paper handy to dab your colour-laden brush before touching your sketch can save heartbreak and frustration.
This simple practice helps ensure:
- You're using exactly the colour you intend
- The saturation and intensity match your vision
- The water-to-pigment ratio is appropriate (or whatever your medium: pressure for pastels?) for the effect you want to achieve
Those few seconds of testing can make all the difference between a satisfying colour application and an unexpected result that's difficult to remedy.
4. Have courage to share your work
The "Throwdown" at the end of each sketching session is a core tradition of Urban Sketching, where everyone places their sketchbooks on the ground for a collective viewing. It can feel intimidating to place your work next to that of more experienced sketchers.
But what I re-learned this weekend is that every single perspective is valuable. Some sketchers capture architectural details with precision, others excel at conveying atmosphere, and some tell stories through their compositions. There is no "right way" to urban sketch—the diversity of approaches is what makes these gatherings so enriching.
Watching people's faces light up when viewing each other's work reminded me that sharing our art, however imperfect we might consider it, connects us in profound ways.
5. Draw every day
Perhaps the most fundamental lesson, reinforced by conversations with more experienced sketchers, is the importance of daily practice. You simply cannot develop confidence, speed, and skill without regularly putting pen to paper.
The sketchers whose work I most admired all shared this habit: they draw something every single day, even if it's just a quick sketch on a post-it note while on hold with the bank, a few lines while waiting for software to download, or a simple capture of their morning coffee cup.
This consistent practice builds neural pathways, trains your eye-hand coordination, and develops the muscle memory needed for confident mark-making. No workshop or expensive materials or YouTube video can replace the value of this daily commitment to observation and drawing.
Looking forward
As I drove home to Auckland, I felt immense gratitude for the Urban Sketchers community and particularly the Taranaki chapter for creating such a wonderful weekend. These gatherings remind us that art isn't just about the final product—it's about the process, the people, and the shared experience of seeing the world through a sketcher's eyes.
For anyone considering joining an Urban Sketchers event—whether you're a beginner or experienced artist—I can't recommend it highly enough. Bring a simple kit, an open mind, and the willingness to put your marks on paper. The rest will follow naturally, one sketch at a time.
Thank you, Urban Sketchers Taranaki, for a weekend of creativity, connection, and joy. Until our next sketching adventure!
Michelle Park is a member of Urban Sketchers Auckland. This post reflects her personal experiences from "That Weekend in New Plymouth" hosted by Urban Sketchers Taranaki in March 2025.
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