Sketching the Life of a City, Los Angeles

I started urban sketching during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Government offices, schools, most shops and businesses were closed, and people had to stay at their homes. The streets were empty wherever you went.

Feeling fearful of going outside and confined to my home, one day, I aimlessly drove around different corners of Los Angeles. At first, I sketched the empty streets, devoid of people, and gradually began capturing pedestrians as I roamed around. When I saw people walking on the streets, I parked my car by the roadside and sketched them. It became my routine – drawing people from within my car every day. After living in Los Angeles for three years, the COVID-19 outbreak hit, leading to a period of isolation in my life.

If I hadn’t drawn people, I might have left this city due to loneliness.

Drawing starts with observation, and through observation, you get to know your subjects more intimately. Sketching the people living in Los Angeles is one way for me to understand this city. Drawing the breathtaking natural landscapes of national parks or canyons is enjoyable, and capturing the stunning California scenery with iconic city skylines and palm trees lined up is fascinating. However, what brings me the most joy is sketching the lively scenes filled with people.

Festivals are excellent places to sketch people. After the hiatus caused by the pandemic, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, which used to be held every April, resumed. When drawing people on the streets, I often find myself capturing the typical scenes of people engrossed in their phones. However, here, I could delight in sketching individuals immersed in reading books.

After 20 years, the Arroyo Fest reopened in 2023. On this Sunday morning, thousands of Los Angeles citizens took to the car-free 110 freeway, walking, running, biking, and skateboarding. Drawing people joyfully strolling along the freeway was a unique experience.

Markets are always bustling with lively crowds. Grand Central Market in downtown Los Angeles is consistently busy with both locals and tourists. This place has plenty of tables, making it the perfect spot for introverted sketchers like me to enjoy a cup of coffee and sketch.

I captured the peaceful Sunday morning scene in my sketchbook including Tony and Karl playing live music in a corner of the Hollywood Farmers Market.

Sketching at Santa Monica Beach. Los Angeles has many more beautiful beaches than this, but there is no better place to capture the diverse scenes of people.

This park, with a view of the Point Vicente Lighthouse in Rancho Palos Verdes, is my favorite spot to see the sunset. It is perfect for sketching people strolling around and enjoying picnics.

Baldwin Hills in Culver City is bustling with people exercising throughout the day.

The Children’s Literature Section at the central library, downtown LA. Sketching at the library could be just as perfect an activity for a rainy day as reading books.

La Brea Tar Pits Museum is always busy with children and their parents exploring vibrant fossils.

The Getty’s winter garden is filled with vibrant greenery. At famous tourist spots like the Getty Center, you can encounter a diverse range of people.

Lastly, urban sketchers’ meet-ups are perfect events for sketching people. Sketching individuals immersed in their artwork is always truly enjoyable. They are the best models for me.

Hannah Park is a book editor and travel sketcher currently based in Los Angeles. She is a member of Los Angeles Urban sketchers. She is originally form South Korea. Find more of her work on Instagram