In 2024, the 6th Swiss Urban Sketchers Symposium will take place in Neuchatel. This is the first time the event will be held in French-speaking Switzerland. We're delighted and honored to be able to show you our city through the eyes of an urban sketcher. Our town, small in size and big in architectural and scenic beauty, lies on a hillside by the lake. It has much to offer visitors, especially those on the lookout for inspirational spots to sketch: a magnificent castle and collegiate church, a vibrant and historic town center with a large pedestrian zone with sketch opportunities on every street corner, all back dropped by a vast panoramic view of the lake and the Alps. More information will be added as it becomes available, so follow us on Instagram or Facebook to get the scoop and make sure you don't miss the next breaking news!

See you soon,

Célestine, Géraldine and Katharina.


Program

Three days of inspiration

Here we go! Here's the detailed program for the three days of festivities!

Workshop: three hours of teaching, practice and discussions with an instructor, who will share his techniques and tips with you.
Sketchwalk: a sketchwalk, with suggested itinerary/locations, to follow freely on your own or with other sketchers as you wish. Time to stroll through the city and draw without constraint.
Opening ceremony: the official speech, an aperitif with nibbles, and above all a great opportunity to chat with other participants.
Drink & Draw: get together with other sketchers for a drink, a chat and even extend the pleasure of drawing to your heart's content.
Closing ceremony: the final speech, the announcement of the next symposium, an aperitif with nibbles, and a final opportunity to chat and exchange with other participants.
  • Sketchbook exhibition: all those who wish can place their sketchbooks and drawings on tables (open to all participants) so that everyone can marvel at the creations made during the symposium.
  • Silent auction: anyone wishing to do so can donate one or more drawings to an auction, the proceeds of which will support the organization of the Swiss symposia.
    • Parts open to the public: the enthusiasm for drawing together is contagious beyond the paying participants - whether it's because you couldn't get a pass, or simply because you prefer to participate partially, you can join the sketchers at the Drink & Draw, the large public Sketchwalk and the group photo (free access).

    You'll also find some information in our FAQ (frequently asked questions).

    TICKETS

    Price and subscription

    4xWorkshop-pass: 360.-
    Access to the entire common program and 4 workshops. Exactly what you need if you're coming to experience the symposium in all its splendor and grandeur.

    3xWorkshop-pass: 290.-
    Access to the entire common program and 3 workshops. Just what you need if you like to have a moment to admire and draw Neuchâtel to your heart's content.

    2xWorkshop-pass: 220.-
    Access to the entire common program and 2 workshops. Just what you need if you like to have time between workshops to exchange and share with other participants.

    1xWorkshop-pass: 150.-
    Access to the entire common program and 1 workshop. Just what you need if you've come to discover the fabulous world of urbansketchers, or if you've already taken all the workshops at other events.

    Sketch-pass: 80.-
    Access to the entire common program. Just what you need if you come mainly for the symposium atmosphere and the sketchwalks. The Sketch-Pass does not include workshops.

    Ticket sales will start on April 12, 2024 at 12 noon (CEST). The link to the ticketing system will be available here.

    Host

    Neuchâtel City Hall

    The entire team is delighted to welcome you to the Péristyle de l’Hôtel de Ville. This magnificent building, emblematic of our city, is located in the heart of the city on the outskirts of the pedestrian zone, a stone's throw from the lakeside, castle and the port.




    Gallery

    Previous symposiums

    The five previous Swiss symposiums have been a great success. Whether you'd like to find out what it's like to attend a symposium, or enjoy the memories of previous editions, feel free to have a look at the photo galleries from the various years. We look forward to adding a new, colorful chapter from French-speaking Switzerland.

    And here is the presentation of the instructors and details of their workshop:

    Taïwan

    Yu-Jie Cai

    How to choose the main subject and create empty spaces


    Germany

    Viktoria Prischedko

    From the initial idea to the expression of individual character


    Portugal

    Julia Barminova

    En Plein Air at Neuchâtel Marina


    Egypt

    Reham Ali

    Solving interlocking shapes of buildings with light and shadows



    Switzerland

    Brindarica Bose

    Speedsketching with Watercolours and Pencils


    France

    Alex Hillkurtz

    Translating Light


    USA

    Uma Kelkar

    Beautiful Chaos


    Switzerland

    Oksana Kornelyuk

    Character improvisation - line, shape and color


    Portugal

    André Kano

    Sketching & watercolor - a colorful fusion


    Spain

    Lapin

    Integrating the car into the urban landscape


    France

    Marie-Odile Mourel

    An "uninhibited" approach to live drawing



    Switzerland

    Ksenia Astakhova

    Panoramic urban landscape of Neuchâtel in watercolors and dry pastels


    USA

    James Richards

    Draw with Abandon!


    Romania

    Laurie Mouret

    Capturing people's unique traits


    England UK

    Pat Southern-Pearce

    Less is more


    Belgium

    Fabien Denoël

    Drawing the city with simple tools


    Switzerland

    Pierre-Abraham Rochat

    Line drawing the city


    Switzerland

    Irène Collaud

    Come and create your own crazy sketchbook


    Switzerland

    Desan

    Writing and drawing letters in a simple way