How long is the tour? A Workshop?

A Sketching in the City (SinC) Tours lasts 3 hours. A Workshop last 7 hours – 6 hours + 1 hour lunch break.

Where is the SinC sketching tour?

All SinC tours are at locations around Washington, DC. The locations, descriptions and logistical information for each tour is listed on the Sketching in the City tour booking page on Eventbrite. All current tour offerings are also listed under “Sketching Tours” link on sites main menu.

How much does a tour cost?

• Individuals: Current introductory special price of $75 per person to join a public tour.
• Private group tour (3-6): The cost of a 3-hour private group tour is the current introductory special price of $400. If you are private group interested in sketching in a location not listed on the site, I am happy to accommodate your request, if it’s possible.  Please contact me via email to request a private group tour. Depending on the specifics of the tour, private group pricing may be discounted or increased depending on complexity and planning involved.
• One-on-one tour:The cost of a 3-hour private one-on-on sketching tour is $240 and includes all art materials.

How does it work?

Once you book your tour, you will receive a confirmation email which will include logistics and tips to make your tour experience the best it can be. You will also receive an email the day before your tour to confirm your attendance and to offer any guidance in case weather disruptions are expected.

The day of the tour, you will meet your sketching tour guide, Sasha, at the meet-up location given in the tour information.

From there we will introduce ourselves and you will receive your sketching kit. You will be given a brief orientation tour of the site. Then we will settle in and the guide will lead you through some basic exercises that will help you look closely and sketch the subject with pencil, pen and watercolor in your sketchbook.

It’s important to remember that no art experience is necessary. This tour is about slowing down, looking closely, and enjoy experiencing the landscape, architecture or city scene through the art making process. At the end of the 3 hours you will feel more confident about sketching on location and have a meaningful souvenir to share with friends, family and on social media!

After the tour, your guide will follow up with you by email to answer any questions that may have and provide tips and resources to continue to include sketching in your travels or daily life. 

Every effort is made to find the meet up points and tour locations that are accessible for all physical abilities, have access to bathrooms, and near public transportation or parking. However, please be aware that some locations have stairs, may require a car, walking on uneven ground, and/or have limited seating options and limited or no bathroom access.  When that happens, a disclosure will be given in the tour description.

What do I need to bring?

You are encouraged to prepare for the tour as you would any other outdoor activity. You may want to bring a bottle of water, snacks, sunglasses, a hat for the sun, sunscreen or any other accessories that will help you enjoy being outdoors for 3+ hours. You are encouraged to travel lightly so keeping an eye on your belongs is not a burden.

I will provide all your art materials and will have small stools on hand for anyone that needs seating when seating options are not available.  Cameras are allowed and encouraged if you want to document your tour experience or take pictures of the subject you are sketching in case you want to do more sketching after your tour.

How many people will be on my sketching tour with me?

There is a maximum of 6 people on a tour.

Can I pay in cash the day of my tour or do I have to pay online in advance?

I advise that you pay in advance online to secure your spot in the tour. To remain in compliance with DC street vendor regulations, I am not able to accept payment at the tour location. If this is a burden, please contact me via email to work out a location to meet in advance to pay cash for the tour.

Can I organize a private group tour for my co-workers/friends/family/school?

Yes, with a group as small as 3 people I can work with you in a private group which can be led in specific techniques or materials depending on your needs. For larger groups or repeat tours, discounts may apply.

Can I request a special focus tour?

Yes! I am full-time working artist and independent art historian with docent privileges at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. I am happy to bring these skills sets to bear and create specialized tours or workshops for friends, co-workers, business and social groups that focuses on specific techniques, materials, artistic or historic perspectives.  I can also coordinate tours and workshops with corporate meetings, festivals and conventions that address specific ideas, events and themes.  Please contact me directly via email to discuss your ideas.

Can I work privately with a sketch tour leader?

Yes. We can work privately on location. The cost for a 3-hour private sketching tour is $240 and includes all materials. All levels of experience are welcome.

Can I bring my family or children?

Yes! The sketch tour is made for everyone including children. I offer a positive and supportive experience to encourage kids to see, hear, touch and draw their observations and reactions to a subject. This is the perfect activity for families of all sizes. Please advise me after you book your tour if you have children with you so I may have “kid friendly” art supplies for them. I recommend tours for children ages 8 and up. All children must be accompanied by a supervising adult.

Do I need to be an artist and/or have drawing experience?

NO PREVIOUS ART EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY. My mission is to make art accessible and fun for everyone. The public sketching tours are open to all. I believe anyone can learn basic drawing and watercolor techniques to help them create sketches that will be treasured souvenirs of their travels or an introduction to motivate them to pursue sketching as a creative outlet in their lives.

On the flip side, if you are a creative professional (architect, graphic designer, poet, singer, set designer, musician, etc.) you’re just as welcome. Look, I get it! Sometimes you just need to step out your office or studio to get a fresh perspective, interact with people, rediscover the world around you and fill your creative well with new images and ideas to inspire your own art. The exercises we do together are designed to be appropriate for all skill levels. 

I’m a professional artist or group of artists, can you organize a special itinerary for me/us?

Yes, as a working artist and independent art historian, I can put together a single sketching tour or multi-day event of art making and museum tours for local or visiting artists that take on themes such as architecture, parks, gardens, history, etc. Please contact me via email to consult with me about your ideas.

I need to change the date and/or number of people at the last minute, how can I do that?

Please contact me via email at least 24 hours in advance of your tour and I will be happy to work out an alternative date and time. If an emergency or delay happens the day of the tour, please contact me via text message at the phone number in your confirmation email. Please be mindful that the summer and fall months are very busy times and rescheduling may require some flexibility.

What is your refund policy?

You can be refunded in full (minus any Eventbrite fees) up to 7 days in advance of your tour. Under 7 days, you may receive 50% of your payment as refund. This is because as an artist, this is my job and I ask that your respect the preparation time required needed to create and administer the best tour experience I can provide.

In the rare chance a tour needs to cancelled due civic or political events, festivals, weather or security concerns about the location and there is no alternate location to meet, you will receive a full refund.

What if it rains the day of our sketching tour?

If rain/snow is predicted on the day of your sketching tour, you will be contacted by email up to 24 hours in advance to advise of a change of venue, of if you would like to change the time and date (in the case of private or special group tours).

Note: Every effort is made to create a “Plan B” location to meet indoors to do the sketching tour.  When that is an option, that will be listed in the tour description and by purchasing a spot in the tour, you accept this as an option. For example, if we are scheduled for a sketching tour the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden (outdoors), the rainy day alternative will be the National Gallery of Art East Building Garden Court (indoors).

What if my question was not on the list?

Please send me an email with your specific question by email and I will be happy to respond within 24 hours.