Sketching in museums can be a rewarding and enjoyable way to engage with art and historical artifacts. It is an opportunity to connect with art on a deeper level and enhance your artistic skills. But anyway you should prepare yourself especially if you are sketching in a museum for the first time. Little preparations will make you feel more comfortable and confident.
Try figure out less crowded hours
Try to figure out about rush hours in the museum, if possible check on google. Sketching in a crowded museum is not always a good idea. It can interrupt your work or your concentration. Also people can obscure the object or painting you are trying to sketch and this is not cool at all. Anyway if you are in rush hour in a museum, try to visit less crowded rooms if it disturbs you. In my opinion morning hours around opening and the afternoon are good enough for museum sketches.
Plan ahead which rooms you wanna visit
If the museum is big and has several floors, you should decide which rooms you want to visit. Check current exhibitions, visit rooms that seem the most interesting for you. Also see the museum map on the website, to understand exactly where the rooms you want to visit. This preparation can save your time, because you will go directly planned, and also save your energy for the most interesting parts for you. Recently I started to follow this experience and this helped me a lot.
Check the Museum’s Policies
Before you start sketching, check the museum’s website or inquire at the information desk about their policies on sketching. Some museums may have specific guidelines, such as restrictions on the use of certain materials or the size of sketchbooks. I never had problems with that, but my mate wasn’t allowed to bring markers in some gallery or museum. So it is better to check up before visiting. What media I take with me in my travels? Sharing about this in my post.
Find comfortable place to sit or stand
It’s always a good idea to find a place to sit in a museum and sketch. You both can combine a rest for your legs and back, and sketch in comfort without any hurry. If you want to make quick sketches, you should try to sketch when you stand. This will be more quick, trust me. In the rooms with sculptures there’s no benches or seats, so you can try this. I like to choose a corner without people with a good view and sketch from there.
Enjoy the process
The crucial part of sketching in a museum is to enjoy the process. If you come to the museum and don’t feel you want to sketch, just don’t. Listen to yourself and your feelings. Be flexible with your wishes and wills. For example if you suddenly feel that you want to sketch people around you instead of sketching artwork and sculptures, feel free to do it. Because the part of sketching in the museum is fun.
These were my highlights about sketching in museums. Have fun and make great sketches!
