Join Urban Sketchers DC and Women in Architecture for a sketch and walking tour of historic sites through Old Town Alexandria beginning at the Lloyd House (220 North Washington Street).

This architect-led workshop will take sketchers out into the surrounding neighborhood to practice free-hand drawing by observing, analyzing and documenting buildings as well as learning about the architectural history of select buildings.  The workshop will start at the Lloyd House where sketchers will have the opportunity for the first sketch while learning about the history of Lloyd House and Gardens before moving down Queens Street to see 601 Queen Street and the famous Bright Blue House that is 7ft wide.  The second sketch site will be on Queens Street at the colorful row houses between N Pitt St and N Royal St.  The group will then move through Founders Park to the Alexandria waterfront for the third and final sketch spot at the Alexandria Marina.  A wrap-up session will end the workshop with a chance for participants to share their sketches with others. 

Learning Objectives

1. Review the history and importance of sketching for architects and designers as a tool for creative thinking and exploration.
2. Explore differences between “artistic” and “design” sketching and how architects typically use sketching as an integral component of their design process. Examples will also be given for application of sketching in non-design fields like computer programming.
3. Identify ways that sketching can be used in a modern architect’s office setting in conjunction with computer software for 2-D drawing, 3-D modeling, and artistic rendering.
4. Experiment with sketching through participation in a plein-air walking tour with several stops for group sketching opportunities.

Provider: AIA Northern Virginia
Provider Number: A058
Course Number: NOVA2025-017, Session 1

2.0 AIA LU|Elective

Learn more about the Urban Sketchers DC.