A Sketcher’s Journey Through the City’s Neighborhoods
New York City is a place of endless stories. It’s not just the towering skyscrapers or the famous landmarks that make it special—it’s the heartbeat of the neighborhoods, the everyday moments that unfold on the streets, and the intricate details that give each area its own personality.
For urban sketchers, NYC is a dream location, offering a dynamic mix of history, architecture, and movement. But how do you capture the true essence of a place like New York? How do you translate the energy of a street corner, the charm of a tucked-away café, or the rhythm of people moving through a busy intersection onto your sketchbook?
That’s where Neighborhoods of New York, a brand-new urban sketching course led by world-renowned artist Ian Fennelly, comes in. This immersive online experience takes you through six iconic neighborhoods, teaching you how to sketch the city not just as a backdrop, but as a living, breathing character in your artwork.
The Beauty of Sketching at Street Level
Many beginners in urban sketching feel overwhelmed by the complexity of cityscapes. The sheer number of details—buildings, signs, people, vehicles—can make it hard to know where to start. But the key to great urban sketching isn’t about getting every window or fire escape perfectly right; it’s about storytelling. It’s about choosing the details that matter and bringing them to life through composition, perspective, and color.
In Neighborhoods of New York, Ian Fennelly teaches you how to break down complex city scenes into manageable sketches, focusing on the details that tell the story of a place. Instead of simply drawing buildings, you’ll learn to capture the elements that define the city’s personality—weathered doorways, street signs, sidewalk tables, and the occasional pigeon perched on a fire escape.
Through six in-depth workshops, you’ll explore locations like:
Your first introduction to the bustling streets of New York City is on the corner of East 25th and Lexington. You’ll learn how to translate the energy of the city onto your page, capturing the intricate details that make this place alive. From the towering presence of the Chrysler Building to the tangle of fire escapes, street signs pointing in every direction, the ever-present flow of cars and pedestrians at crossings, and even the water tower standing sentinel above it all.
This workshop isn’t just about drawing buildings; it’s about feeling the pulse of the city, learning to simplify complexity, and embracing the imperfect beauty of quick, confident sketching. By the end, you won’t just see New York differently—you’ll see yourself differently, too.
In our second workshop, we explore the timeless charm of Greenwich Village — a place where history, creativity, and architectural intrigue converge. Here, we’ll sketch a striking wedge-shaped building that seems to reach toward the viewer, its sharp angles offering a masterclass in perspective.
A nearby streetlamp, layered with street signs and urban textures, becomes a focal point of intricate detail, while the pedestrian crossings and distant canyon of 7th Avenue pull us into the rhythm of city life. But this isn’t just about capturing buildings — it’s about sketching atmosphere. Greenwich Village is alive with stories, and through pen, brush, and color, you’ll learn to translate its vibrant energy onto your page. Whether you’re drawn to the challenge of complex textures or the romance of historic streets, this workshop will give you the skills—and the confidence—to bring it all to life.
Discover the quieter, village-like charm of New York in the third Neighborhoods of New York workshop, set in the heart of Chelsea. Here, where multiple streets converge, we’ll sketch a lively yet intimate streetscape filled with dynamic contrasts. Ornate details decorate the modestly scaled buildings, while classic New York fire escapes weave intricate patterns against their facades. The scene is alive with pedestrian crossings, eclectic street signs, and pockets of greenery that soften the urban landscape.
This workshop is about balance — knowing when to dive into fine details, like the embellishments of a historic building, and when to simplify, letting the composition breathe. Chelsea’s unique blend of energy and tranquility makes it a perfect setting to refine your sketching approach, capturing not just buildings, but the character of a neighborhood that feels both vibrant and welcoming.
In the fourth Neighborhoods of New York workshop, we cross the East River into Brooklyn to sketch one of the city’s most breathtaking landmarks – the Brooklyn Bridge. With its majestic arches and sweeping cables, the bridge is both a structural masterpiece and a dream for urban sketchers. From our vantage point in a nearby park, we’ll capture not only the bridge itself but also the striking Manhattan skyline, creating depth and contrast in our compositions.
This scene offers a rich interplay of bold architecture, intricate patterns, and natural elements, such as lush greenery softens the urban landscape. Beyond the Brooklyn Bridge, glimpses of the Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridges add even more layers to explore. This workshop is about more than just sketching a New York icon — it’s about embracing Brooklyn’s spirit, where historic charm meets modern vibrancy. With every line and wash of color, you’ll bring to life the energy of a borough that has long been a hub of creativity and culture.
In the fifth Neighborhoods of New York workshop, we step into the heart of Chinatown, where the energy of Pell Street unfolds in a vibrant display of color, culture, and movement. This scene is a feast for the senses; lanterns strung overhead filling the sky, intricate Chinese signage fills the storefronts, and historic tenement buildings with their distinctive fire escapes frame the lively streetscape.
The bustling flow of people, the rich textures of shopfronts, and the dramatic perspective leading toward a striking vanishing point all offer endless sketching possibilities. This workshop is about more than just capturing architecture; it’s about embracing the movement of Chinatown, a place where history, culture, and daily life intersect. You’ll bring this dynamic neighborhood to life, learning to sketch not just what you see, but what you feel in one of New York’s most captivating districts.
In the final Neighborhoods of New York workshop, we bring our sketching journey to a fitting close on Broadway – where history and modern city life collide in a breathtaking composition. At the heart of our scene stands the iconic Trinity Church, its neo-Gothic spire reaching skyward, framed by the sleek lines of Manhattan’s soaring skyscrapers. This contrast of old and new offers an exciting opportunity to explore perspective, texture, and light.
As we sketch, we’ll capture the intricate details of the church’s façade, the serenity of its tree-lined graveyard, and the bustling energy of Broadway just beyond its gates. This workshop is about mastering complexity – balancing the calm of long standing architecture with the movement and dynamism of city life. With each stroke, you’ll learn to bring depth and atmosphere to your sketches, ending this course with a piece that embodies the spirit of New York: timeless, energetic, and endlessly inspiring.
A New Way to See the City
Urban sketching isn’t just about drawing; it’s about seeing. It’s about slowing down and noticing the small moments that most people rush past. It’s about developing a deeper connection with a place and learning how to translate that experience into art.
With Neighborhoods of New York, you’re not just learning how to sketch—you’re learning how to see the city differently. You’ll start to notice the patterns of everyday life, the way light and shadows dance across facades, and the little pockets of beauty hidden in the chaos of the streets.
And the best part? You don’t have to be in New York to experience it. This online course brings the essence of the city to you, allowing you to immerse yourself in its details from wherever you are.
"Welcome to the New York Sketching Workshop! We’re thrilled about this because New York is an iconic city filled with distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own culture, colours, and energy. Rather than focusing on famous landmarks, we’ve explored six unique areas—like Chinatown, Chelsea, and Brooklyn—capturing the rich character at street level. Using a landscape format keeps the focus on the life and details of the city, and a limited colour palette helps create cohesive compositions. We’ve poured our passion into this course and can’t wait to see your creations!"
