New Orleans is a city full of color, music, and history—and the perfect place for urban sketching. On this trip, I brought my sketchbook, brush pens, and filled my brushes with Ecoline liquid watercolors, to capture the atmosphere of different places. Sketching on location helped me connect with the city in a calm, personal way. Each scene has its own story, palette, and rhythm.
Btw, if I have a post about my experiments with Ecoline watercolors. Read or listen it here.
See my palette here.
New Orleans Museum of Art
I started my sketching journey at the New Orleans Museum of Art. The grand neoclassical building stood behind a peaceful pond filled with lily pads. I used bright yellow and gray tones to bring out the strong architecture, and added sharp brush pen lines to define the columns and roof. The museum, founded in 1911, is the oldest fine arts institution in New Orleans and houses over 40,000 objects from around the world.
City Park Bridge
In City Park, I found a charming little bridge surrounded by trees and open space. The structure felt like it came from a storybook, with its gentle arch and leafy surroundings. I used bold greens and deep brown lines to bring out the organic shapes and textures. City Park itself is one of the oldest urban parks in the United States, dating back to 1854, and features more live oaks than any other city park in the world.
St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square
Jackson Square was alive with people, music, and movement—but the cathedral stood tall and steady. I focused on its iconic silhouette rising behind banana trees, using strong contrasts of green and blue to make the scene vibrant. This sketch was all about light and energy, capturing the iconic heart of the French Quarter from a fresh angle. The St. Louis Cathedral, originally built in 1789 and rebuilt in the 1850s, is the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S.
French Quarter Balconies
This sketch was my most decorative and detailed. I stood in front of a corner building with classic French Quarter iron balconies and overflowing plants. Using layers of purple, pink, and turquoise, I tried to capture the rhythm and repetition of the balconies and windows. The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, established in 1718, and its cast-iron balconies became popular in the 19th century during Spanish and Creole architectural influence.
Streetcar and Palm Trees
My last sketch was of a vintage streetcar framed by palm trees. It was bright red and full of character. I decided to make it pink, it seems more fun. I used flowing brushstrokes and bold color to bring out its retro charm. The black brush lines followed the rails, guiding the eye into the scene and giving it movement. New Orleans streetcars have been in operation since 1835, making them the oldest continuously running streetcar system in the world.
Sketching New Orleans was more than just documenting what I saw—it was a way to slow down and enjoy the spirit of each place. With just a few colors and tools, I was able to capture some of the city’s most iconic scenes in my own way. I came home with a sketchbook full of memories. New Orleans gave me both inspiration and history at every turn.
