Saturday 4th of October 2025
Led by Sasala Wickramasinghe and Gabi Campanario
Who is Gabi Campanario?
A Seattle-based journalist and illustrator, Gabi Campanario is the founder of the Urban Sketchers movement.
A global community of urban sketchers began with the online forum Gabi created in 2007 “…for all sketchers out there who love to draw the cities where they live and visit, from the window of their homes, from a cafe, at a park, standing by a street corner… always on location, not from photos or memory.” A year later, he invited a group of sketchers to share their drawings and storytelling in a blog, Urban Sketchers, where readers could “See the World, One Drawing at a Time.” The blog helped the community gain visibility and inspired drawing enthusiasts from all over to sketch in the spirit of the Urban Sketchers manifesto.
What’s happening on Saturday 4th October?
Book Launch and Artist Talk
Those of you who have been sketching with us for a while may know James Hobbs (top left with Gabi) as one of the founders of Urban Sketchers London chapter back in 2012. James will be at the London launch of his latest book, Sketchbook Reveal, which is based on seven of his favorite sketchbooks, out of an impressive 206 volumes, filled with sketches in his unique and instantly recognisable style!
Gabi, a former staff artist and columnist at The Seattle Times, is currently the publisher at Sketcher Press, which released James’s book in the US last year.
Gabi will be in conversation with James at the Topolski Studio on the Southbank from 11am to 12pm. Please note that Topolski Studio can only host about 40 people comfortably for a talk, with 30 seated. Due to this space limitation, we kindly ask that you get a free RSVP ticket to reserve a spot for this Artist Talk.
Sketcher Press pop-up shop
Following the Artist Talk, the event continues with a pop-up shop of publications by Sketcher Press from 12 noon to 4pm. It’s a chance to meet Gabi during his brief visit to London, to buy a copy of Sketchbook Reveal signed by James. No RSVP is required for those joining the event after the Artist Talk.
Key information – Book launch and pop-up shop
11am Artist Talk and Gabi in conversation with James Hobbs. Please RSVP via this link to attend.
12pm-4pm Pop-up shop in Topolski Studio, Arch 158, Hungerford Arches, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XU
Sketch walk
Key information – sketch walk
12:30pm: Meet by the Southbank Food Market (across Belvedere road from the Arch Duke pub). There is shelter under the bridge and the arches in case of inclement weather.
Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
4 pm: Meet inside the Royal Festival Hall, on the east side from the Ballroom Cafe (see photo below, top middle)
For those who would like to stay on, we will stay in the Royal Festival Hall to have a drink and a chat.
Opportunities to draw
Practical Information
Getting there
The nearest Underground Station is London Waterloo on the underground (Jubilee, Northern and Bakerloo, and Waterloo & City lines) and main line trains. Across the river, Embankment (District, Circle, Bakerloo and Northern lines) and Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines) stations are within a 10-15 minute walking distance.
Toilets
There are toilets inside Royal Festival Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Refreshments
Plenty of cafes, pubs and restaurants all around the Royal Festival Hall and along the south bank. Southbank Food Market is known for great street food. You can consume food and drink bought from outside, in the RFH.
