Domestika Diary: Lapin

The urban sketcher visits Madrid’s Retiro Park to share his process and capture the Palacio de Cristal

Art, at its core, is a form of expression and observation, filtering the outside world to create something that reflects an individual’s own unique viewpoint.

Urban sketching is a popular format for those looking to capture and enjoy their surroundings, jotting down everything from travels to faraway lands to scenes of everyday life. A vibrant community of artists, urban sketchers create pieces that offer a unique blend of observation and personal reflection.

A pioneer in the online urban sketching community, Lapin (@lapinbarcelona) has published over 30 books, many of which illustrate his travels across the world. In this Domestika Diary, he visits Madrid’s Retiro park to sketch the Palacio de Cristal and talk about his process and why he believes urban sketching is such a powerful format.

“I cannot imagine going to a place and not sketching it, it would be like if I hadn't been there,” says Lapin. He spends about two weeks in each destination, sketching 10 to 12 hours a day as he works to capture not just iconic landmarks, but the stories and personalities of the people who live there.

His style is characterized by the interplay between precise lines and the emotiveness of watercolor, and with a simple folding chair, pens, and a small watercolor kit, he enjoys the freedom of being able to work anywhere. The subjects, sounds, and details he chooses to emphasize in each sketch offer not just a snapshot of the location, but also the things that interest or catch his attention, offering a new perspective on popular places.

Using art as a way to experience the world, even when you can’t travel, is what urban sketching is all about. Lapin confesses he finds it difficult to go even a few days without sketching, “I need to draw to feel alive, to feel myself.”

If you want to learn how to create your own urban sketches with a unique viewpoint, check out Lapin’s online course, Urban Sketching: Express Your World in a New Perspective.

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