Local Artist Visually Documents San Diego in New Book The Art of Urban Sketching

Posted on March 28, 2012

Lydia Velarde sketching in Old Poway park

In February, the creative work of San Diego artist, Lydia Velarde was published in the new book, The Art of Urban Sketching: Drawing on Location Around the World. This 320 page volume is a stunning, comprehensive guide to urban drawing authored by Seattle Times columnist and Urban Sketchers’ founder, Gabriel Campanario. Showcasing artists from around the globe, this book will transform the way you see the world through visual dispatches one sketch at a time.

In 2008 Lydia Velarde was invited to be a regular contributor on the Urban Sketchers Blog (www.urbansketchers.org) where international artists are selected to post on location sketches highlighting their city. After gaining a huge online following, Campanario organized contributors to participate in the making of his new book, The Art of Urban Sketching released in February, 2012. In Velarde’s artist profile she shares San Diego’s unique culture and picturesque destinations. A few of her on-location drawings include the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, and the Junipero Serra Museum in Presidio Park.

Lydia Velarde, a Poway resident and California native has been a member of the San Diego art scene since 1980 expressing herself through watercolor, oil, and acrylic.

You can find Lydia’s San Diego’s sketches on www.urbansketchers.org or visit her personal blog at www.artyvelarde.blogspot.com. For questions on The Art of Urban Sketching and Lydia Velarde’s involvement please contact Lydia at crzing@cox.net.