​Urban Sketch Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Urban Sketchers: Marina Dhows

In a year and a half I haven’t seen anyone else out drawing. New to the country, I was unsure whether I was even allowed to draw outside (seems ridiculous now). There are some fantastic locations here, and a truly multicultural population. Modern history is compact; the UAE is 45 years old this December 2nd, so 21st century architecture sits alongside 70’s Arab Deco, and the older fishing port and markets by the coast.
Dubai, which is 45 minutes along the E11, has a very active sketch group, so I approached the organiser for some advice about setting up a drawing group in AD.
One week later we had our first meeting. It’s still a new group, but I am confident that we’ll be out drawing regularly.
Apart from the obvious pleasure drawing with others gives, it will mean that I will be forced to discover and consider as yet unknown areas of the city. This is going to help me later on when I’m planning my major study. It also means that I am meeting a more diverse group of people, who all experience this city in different ways.