A sketchbook escape: sketching Gdańsk

I discovered urban sketching in the summer of 2020, just after the lockdown, during that strange time between finishing high school and the start of university. After months spent indoors, feeling trapped in my bedroom, I craved something peaceful and grounding; something to reconnect me with the world outside.

That’s when I learned what urban sketching is. What began as a solo hobby quickly turned into so much more: a way to make new friends, boost my wellbeing, and see my city, Gdańsk (Poland), with fresh eyes. Through sketching, I started noticing the little things: how light hits old bricks differently on cloudy days, or how a splash of color can bring a quiet corner to life.

Our local Urban Sketchers Gdańsk group has grown steadily since then. We meet every weekend, exploring the city together with our sketchbooks in hand. It’s become part of my routine, my creative ritual, and a safe space I truly treasure.

We sketch everything from famous landmarks to hidden alleyways. But my favorite spot is the shipyard; towering green cranes, the shimmer of water and the silhouettes of ships…