Last weekend, the small waterfront town of Edmonds, just north of Seattle, became a vibrant hub for artists as it hosted the third annual Sketcher Fest Edmonds.
Clusters of people could be observed in various spots around town, from stairs and alleyways to curbs in the bustling farmers market, all focused on their sketchbooks, capturing the unique sights and scenes of the city.
Under the guidance of Gabi Campanario, founder of Urban Sketchers and a former sketch columnist for the Seattle Times, the festival has blossomed into the premier sketchbook festival in North America, drawing around 500 participants from across the globe, including artists from as far as Barcelona, Portugal, Poland, Florida, and Vancouver, B.C.
Over the course of two days, attendees engaged in workshops, artist talks, and communal sketch walks, exploring the charming streets and picturesque waterfront.
The events commenced at the Graphite Arts Center and Edmonds Waterfront Center, with groups led by one of 19 guest artists.
Workshop topics ranged from capturing the lively atmosphere of the Saturday farmers market to incorporating narrative elements into sketches.
One particularly intriguing talk featured an underwater diver explaining how she sketches while submerged.
Campanario selected Edmonds for its welcoming small-town ambiance, walkable streets, and proximity to the water.
He noted, “Seattle is an amazing city, but where do you start? Edmonds already has a welcoming arts community.”
This spirit of community was evident as locals and visitors alike paused to observe the sketchers at work, often stopping to ask questions or admire the artistry.
At the conclusion of each workshop, participants participated in a tradition known as the ‘throwdown,’ where everyone laid their sketchbooks on the ground, showcasing a variety of styles and approaches.
The pages ranged from intricate ink drawings to quick washes of color, illustrating a wealth of energy and creativity.
Participants shared insights about each sketch, discussing colors, details, and the emotions conveyed through the art.
James Richards, a guest artist from Florida, emphasized the importance of people in storytelling, stating that buildings often take a backseat in his workshops.
He assured attendees that the environment was pressure-free, encouraging them to enjoy the process and capture the moment.
“What I want is the best you can do, in this moment, in this place. And just have fun with it,” Richards advised, urging artists to do the most with the least.
The festival attracted a diverse mix of participants, from seasoned artists to those rediscovering their passion for sketching after years of absence.
Melissa Gaughan, a Seattle resident, recounted her initial dislike of painting during her first watercolor class in grad school.
Feeling overwhelmed by the grading system, she put her supplies away.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she dug out her old materials and began experimenting with color at her own pace.
“I discovered I really enjoyed playing with color. This is the first time I’ve done this in a long time without feeling like I have to be good at it,” she reflected.
Mark Isaacson, a participant from Edmonds who returned for his second year, shared a similar narrative of rediscovery.
After sketching as a child, he had stopped for nearly two decades before picking it back up during the pandemic.
He attended a workshop that focused on sketching overlooked areas of the town—alleys, loading docks, and hidden spaces.
“Looking back at a sketch is different from a photograph. It brings back everything,” he remarked.
He conveyed how sketches evoke memories of experiences, capturing not just the visual scene but also the atmosphere of the moment, including the weather, sounds, and personal feelings.
Nishant Jain, an artist from Vancouver, B.C. and host of the SneakyArt podcast, described sketching as a way to reclaim one’s attention span from the distractions of modern life.
He emphasized the experiential nature of sketching versus photography, stating, “A sketch is the time you spent there, all of it compressed into one image. My drawing habit has made me more alive.”
Jain began sketching in 2017 after immigrating from India and found it a valuable means of acclimating to his new surroundings.
For him, sketchbooks became filled with studies of people in his environment, reflecting his observations of the world around him.
Gabi Campanario echoed this sentiment, sharing that his own sketching experiences helped him discover Seattle when he moved there nearly two decades ago.
“When I came here 19 years ago, sketching was the way I got to know my new city,” he shared.
He noted that even in Barcelona, he sometimes overlooked details without the perspective of a sketch artist.
For many artists at Sketcher Fest, the goal isn’t about creating a perfect final product; rather, it’s about embracing the act of being present, making choices about what to include, and understanding the beauty of imperfection.
Jain pointed out that children naturally draw without self-criticism, unlike adults, who often impose insecurities and comparisons on their creativity.
Artist Uma Kelkar, who traveled from San Jose, expressed her joy in being around fellow artists, stating she attended the festival not to teach or take classes, but simply to connect with like-minded individuals.
She revealed that her journey with sketching began as a personal escape from the demands of motherhood, providing a creative outlet for herself that eventually evolved into a profession.
“People think drawing is something you’re either born with or not. But we drew before we spoke. Somewhere, we got shamed out of it,” she reflected.
At Sketcher Fest, skill level was secondary to the experience of observation and creation.
Attendees focused on the essence of sketching, which conveys a sense of looseness and immediacy.
As Campanario encouraged, participants are urged to simply start with a notebook and pen, emphasizing that no scene is too small to capture.
“Draw a lamppost, a bench, a statue. Everyone starts somewhere,” he affirmed.
The festival culminated in a Sketchbook Fair held at the Edmonds Waterfront Center, which showcased guest artists’ sketchbooks for attendees to explore.
This approach, Campanario explained, fosters interaction without the pressure of commerce, allowing patrons to engage with artists in a guilt-free manner.
The sketchbooks varied significantly in style—a few were neatly organized and labeled, while others displayed a beautiful chaos that reflected the creative process.
Flipping through the pages was akin to experiencing an artist’s personal diary—each sketch an intimate glimpse into their journey.
In addition to the creative displays, a small shop offered prints, books, and art supplies for sale near the fair, making it easy for sketching enthusiasts to gather new materials.
Many attendees, including myself, left equipped with new sketchbooks, inspired to embark on our own artistic explorations, even if we may not fill them entirely.
Sketcher Fest Edmonds stands as a reminder that art is less about perfection and more about the connection to the world around us, making it an event worth celebrating each year.
image source from：seattlemag
