The USk Drink & Draw is Back

1/31/25 USk drink & draw at Project 9 Brewing Co. (After half a beer, I apparently lose my ability to spell!)

After a holiday season hiatus, the USk Seattle drink & draw is back! All summer and early fall, our “usual” table had been in Project 9 Brewing Company’s huge sheltered outdoor space, but I was afraid it would be too cold and wet last Friday afternoon. With all their heaters going full blast, though, it was perfectly comfy (and so much quieter than inside). The only surprise was the occasional splatter of rainwater from the tent roof, which must have had some tiny leaks. But all the sketchers took the drops in our sketchbooks in stride – we’re urban sketchers, after all.

An interesting trend I’ve noticed at our drink & draws is that they seem to attract first-timers who have not yet attended a regular Urban Sketchers gathering. I always explain that drink & draws do not follow the usual outing format; they are simply casual, informal opportunities to sketch while we chat.

From an introvert’s perspective, if I were a newcomer, I would find it much easier to attend an actual sketch outing where I’d spend the bulk of the time sketching on my own instead of talking with people I don’t know. For others, though, it’s apparent that they feel more comfortable getting their feet wet in a familiar social situation such as enjoying a beer and snacks while they socialize. I’m happy that USk Seattle has different ways of making newcomers feel welcome. We all had a blast, and I’m looking forward to more of these, especially as the days grow warmer and longer.